WebAIM - Web Accessibility In Mind

Quick Reference
Testing Web Content for Accessibility

WebAIM Accessibility Testing Services

The experts at WebAIM can audit your web site and provide a detailed report to help you remediate accessibility and WCAG compliance issues.

Note

This resource is designed to be printed as a one page PDF file. An HTML version is also available below.

Test with WAVE

  • Run a report at wave.webaim.org. For very complex or non-public pages, use the the WAVE Chrome or Firefox extension.
    • Watch the overview video on the WAVE homepage.
  • Error icons flag known issues. Other icons identify potential problems or features. Click an icon to highlight the corresponding element and learn more using the Reference panel.
  • Use the Details panel to review page issues. Click an icon to find it in the page. Uncheck icons to hide them.
  • Turn off Styles to simplify the page view and to check the reading and navigation order.
  • Click the Code button at the bottom of the page to see the page code with WAVE icons.

Images

  • Ensure alternative text (shown in green) conveys the equivalent content and/or function of the image.
  • Look for ways to replace images of text with true text.
  • Content conveyed via CSS images must have a text alternative.

Headings and Regions/landmarks

  • Use the Structure panel in the sidebar to review headings.
  • The main heading should usually be an <h1>.
  • Ensure the headings and regions/landmarks reflect the page structure.
  • Look for skipped heading levels (e.g., <h2> to <h4>).

Contrast

ARIA

Forms

  • Ensure forms controls have the descriptive labels.

Other common WAVE checks

  • Page language is specified (e.g., <html lang="en">).
  • If there are data tables ensure table headers are present and have the correct scope.
  • Look for links with ambiguous link text like "click here."
  • Ensure the page title is descriptive and succinct.

Use a Checklist

Check Keyboard Accessibility

  • The first time testing with Mac, press Control + F7 to enable full keyboard accessibility.
    • In Safari, select Preferences > Advanced > Accessibility > Press Tab to highlight each item…
  • Navigate the page using only the keyboard:
    • Tab: Navigate interactive elements (links, form controls, etc.)
    • Shift + Tab: Navigate backwards.
    • Enter: Activate links or buttons, submit most forms.
    • Spacebar: Activate checkboxes and buttons, expand a select menu, or scroll the window.
    • Arrow keys: Navigate radio buttons, select/dropdown menus, sliders, tab panels, tree menus, etc.
  • Look for mouse-only interaction (e.g., rollover menus).
  • Confirm every focusable element has a keyboard focus indicator/outline with at least 3:1 contrast.
  • Ensure any "skip" links work correctly and are visible to sighted keyboard users.
  • Make sure the navigation order is logical and intuitive.
  • Test dialog and pop-ups. Can you navigate and close the dialog? Does focus return to a logical place?
    • Modal dialogs must maintain focus until dismissed.
    • Non-modal dialogs must close when focus is lost.
    • Esc should also close all dialogs and menus.

Test Content Scaling

  • In Chrome, press Ctrl/cmd and:
    • + to zoom in (larger)
    • - to zoom out (smaller)
    • 0 to reset to 100%
  • For WCAG 2.0 - Zoom to 200%
  • For WCAG 2.1 - Adjust viewport to 1280 pixels wide and zoom to 400%. Avoid horizontal scrolling unless required for the content (e.g., a data table or map).
  • Text-only zoom (Recommended) - In Firefox, choose View > Zoom > Zoom Text Only. Zoom to 130-150%

Test with a Screen Reader

  • WebAIM tutorials: JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, VoiceOver on Mobile, Dolphin, Talkback, and Narrator.
  • Focus on navigation, forms, and dynamic content.
  • Is information presented through ARIA accurate?
  • Are forms instructions and error feedback read when navigating a form?
  • Are all dynamic changes and updates accessible?

Scan for Other Issues

  • Captions and transcripts for media.
  • Information does not depend on color, audio, shape, size, or location.
  • Animating or updating content or media can be paused or stopped.
  • No strobing content/video that could cause seizures.