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Re: Screen Reader tests after code validation

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From: Karl Groves
Date: Mar 8, 2010 10:09AM

(top-posting mostly because this is a general response to Mike's message).

Mike,

One of the challenges of doing accessibility testing is that no single
method is sufficiently reliable, accurate, or cost-effective. Any single
approach (i.e. automated, manual code review, manipulating browser/
hardware settings, testing with assistive technologies, etc.) will have
some significant advantages and some significant disadvantages. In a web
context, automated testing is an excellent way to pour through large
volumes of markup quickly. Unfortunately, you can only reliably get 20%
coverage of the overall number of things to look for. On the other hand,
manual code review allows a qualified tester to not only be able to find
problems but also recommend the necessary changes. However, manual code
review can has its limitations as well.

There are similar advantages and disadvantages with testing with assistive
technologies. I believe others have done a good job of discussing what
they are. The best approach is to come up with a test methodology which
takes advantage of each type of testing in a way that gets you highly
accurate, reliable, and repeatable results as quickly as possible.
Perform automated testing for those things which automated testing can
find reliably. Perform manual testing for things automated testing can't
find. Then, if you have qualified staff, do functional performance testing
with assistive technologies.

As for SSB's training, I'll refrain from response on that because I'm
clearly biased on that one, and simply thank Andrew for his kind words.
;-) If you want further details, feel free to give me a shout.






Karl Groves
Director of Strategic Planning and Product Development
SSB BART Group
<EMAIL REMOVED>
703.637.8961 (o)
443.517.9280 (c)
http://www.ssbbartgroup.com

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