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Re: accessibility without testing?

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From: Oscar DeLong
Date: Mar 13, 2008 9:30AM

I would argue that it is always best to test it. Even if you find a
program that can automate the process it can never replace field
testing. In part, testing the site first helps one to determine if
wording, I.E. bad or confusing phrases, and order are appropriate,
something an automated tool can never do. I would use tools to assist
in the process but still test it to make sure.

Oscar DeLong
Access Services/Reference Librarian
Ottenheimer Library
Pulaski Technical College
3000 West Scenic Drive
North Little Rock, AR 72118
(501) 812-2718
<EMAIL REMOVED>

-----Original Message-----
From: <EMAIL REMOVED>
[mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED> ] On Behalf Of Aaron Cannon
Sent: Thursday, March 13, 2008 9:30 AM
To: <EMAIL REMOVED>
Subject: [WebAIM] accessibility without testing?

Hi all.

It has always been my understanding that in order to consistently create
accessible pages, particularly pages which are accessible to screen
reader users, it is necessary to conduct testing with assistive
technology. I.E. before you can say for sure something is accessible,
someone has to go check. Is this view accurate? Is there a more
automated way of ensuring accessibility that I'm unaware of?

I know that there have been some products marketed to be able to do so,
but I was under the impression that they were just snake oil. I also
know of a couple products, which are quite good at identifying potential
problem areas, but that they can't possibly identify them all, nor are
they immune to false-positives.

Any information would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Aaron Cannon

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