Essential steps for mastering accessibility audits

 The process of enhancing accessibility starts with the dedicated evaluation of the accessibility levels of digital products. Ideally called accessibility audits, these focus on the evaluation of the digital assets of the businesses based on the set accessibility guidelines like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) or others. Hence, many businesses prefer to partner with dedicated accessibility audit services.

This blog delves into the role of accessibility audits. We’ll understand the different steps to master the accessibility audits for enhanced content usability.


Steps to master the accessibility audits

The dedicated accessibility auditing solutions understand the value of technical knowledge, practical skills, and a detailed understanding of accessibility guidelines for mastering accessibility evaluations. Here are the key steps to unlock the benefits of these accessibility evaluations:


  • Understanding the accessibility guidelines

Firstly, the teams performing dedicated accessibility audits must understand the detailed accessibility guidelines. It starts by familiarizing the teams with the dedicated Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) created by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). These are organized into key principles of perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust (POUR).


It is crucial for businesses to ensure that they have a detailed understanding of the other accessibility standards, not only WCAG. These cover Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).


  • Developing technical skills

The accessibility audit services must develop expert skills in managing the accessibility tools, manual testing techniques, and coding skills. Leading automated testing tools like Lighthouse, WAVE, and Axe help identify common accessibility issues. The hands-on experience with the leading screen readers like JAWS (Job Access with Speech) and NVDA (Non-Visual Desktop Access) helps in navigating the digital content.


Further, accessibility experts must excel in key manual testing techniques, contrast checkers, and coding skills. Teams must understand the right steps for manual testing to ensure keyboard navigation and the use of the accessibility color checkers.


The use of Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA) and understanding the semantic HTML help ensure that codes are accessible. The use of accessible JavaScript ensures that all the content updates are properly managed by the screen readers.


  • Conducting detailed accessibility audits

When it comes to accessibility audits, they must be complete and thorough in terms of different aspects. Businesses must focus on the proper goals of audits, such as performing automated testing, manual testing, and user testing.


The goal and objectives of the accessibility testing ensure that the teams have clear conformance levels for identifying the key areas of improvement. It must cover the scope of the websites, applications, and other digital content.


The use of automated testing is crucial for identifying key issues like missing alternative texts, captions, subtitles, and others. Automated testing offers the right preliminary investigation and solution to the accessibility issues.


The manual testing follows the automated testing to ensure the accessibility of digital content like keyboard navigation and screen readers. It is performed by dedicated manual testers and promotes cross-browser and cross-device compatibility.


  • Implementing accessibility remediation measures

Last but not least, the accessibility auditing services can enhance the efficacy of the accessibility audits only if the accessibility remediation measures are properly advised and implemented. Here, the teams must work with the developers, ensure dedicated retesting, and adopt consistent monitoring.


Collaboration with the developers helps ensure that all the accessibility fixes are incorporated in the initial stage only to eliminate the need for accessibility retrofits. The dedicated retesting of the digital content helps companies to ensure that the identified accessibility issues are resolved. 


The consistent monitoring of the accessibility levels helps ensure that the content is accessible based on the newest updates and challenges.


Further, it is vital to document all the accessibility findings and remediation adopted must be documented to ensure compliance with the different accessibility standards.


Wrapping up

Accessibility audit services offer the right help to businesses aiming at inclusive and diverse digital environments. It is easy to understand the different steps focusing on the mastery of the accessibility audits. Not to miss is the careful partnership with dedicated accessibility solutions for harnessing the benefits of these audits.

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