Top Accessibility Testing tools for Web Applications

Making your website accessible to all, including those with disabilities, is crucial but finding and resolving issues is challenging. It is common to overlook significant issues, and compliance requirements are usually hard to navigate. This is where, web accessibility testing tools step out, which identify the issues and provide practical remedies to enhance the user experience along with compliance to the standards.

What is Accessibility Testing?

Accessibility testing ensures that the applications are accessible to people with impairments, e.g., visual, auditory, or cognitive impairments. While developing software, it is important to think about these users and test for accessibility to make sure everyone can use our applications efficiently.

Why do Accessibility Testing Tools Matter?

ADA testing tools are important to ensure that websites and applications follow the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which requires digital content accessibility for individuals with disabilities. These solutions enable developers to find and fix accessibility issues according to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) to create a more accessible digital world.

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What is AODA Compliance?

AODA, or the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, mandates that organizations in Ontario, Canada, make their environment and services accessible to people with disabilities. This also involves web accessibility, making sure that the site and web content are accessible to individuals with various disabilities.
The standards closely resemble the WCAG guidelines, which focus on improving online accessibility. AODA is one example of how global accessibility standards are evolving to promote greater inclusivity.

Benefits of Web Accessibility Testing Tools

Using web accessibility testing tools has several benefits for your team and business.

Some of the benefits are:

• Enhanced Compliance: The software makes your site compliant with accessibility requirements by automated testing and generating compliance reports, hence reducing the risk of legal issues.
   
• Improved User Experience: By providing suggestions for accessibility improvements on your site, the software enhances the overall user experience of all your site visitors.
   
• Time Savings: Time-saving happens by instant feedback and automatic check with accessibility web tools, so your team can instantly detect and identify mistakes.
   
• Greater Team Coordination: Tools providing collaboration functionality make team working smoother, so it's easy for your employees to work and coordinate together with their co-workers as well as address the issues related to accessibility efficiently.
   
• Data-Driven Decision Making: With data-driven reports and dynamically customizable dashboards, these tools allow your staff to make data-driven decisions and integrate accessibility improvements.
   
• Continuous Education: Access to training tools ensures your employees stay current with the latest accessibility standards and practices, enhancing their skills.
   
• Proactive Issue Resolution: Regular scans and real-time alerts help detect and resolve accessibility issues before they impact users, ensuring a smooth and positive site experience.

Features of Web Accessibility Testing Tools

When choosing web accessibility testing tools, make sure the following main features:

• Instant Feedback: Get instant feedback whenever you publish your site, enabling you to respond quickly to accessibility issues.
   
• AI-Driven Insights: Use artificial intelligence to identify complex accessibility issues that may go undetected with manual testing, for greater accuracy in compliance analysis.
   
• Customizable Dashboards: Enable the interface to be tailored to emphasize the most important metrics to your team, for enhanced efficiency and context.
   
• Team Collaboration: Enable team collaboration by integrating communication tools so teams can simply work together to resolve accessibility issues.
   
• Automated Scans: Perform regular scans to identify any new accessibility issues, with continuous compliance.
   
• Compliance Reports: Run reports on compliance with the accessibility standards of your site, including audits and stakeholder documentation.
   
• Enhanced User Experience: Get suggestions for improving usability for disabled users, highlighting the importance of user-centered design.
   
• Training and Resources: Have access to tutorials, webinars, and guides that keep your team ahead of the new accessibility best practices and future requirements.
   
• Remediation Guidance: Receive hands-on guidance for remediating the reported accessibility issues, helping your staff to maximize compliance gaps.

These features make it simple to manage accessibility testing and keep your site compliant and accessible to all users.

Top Accessibility Testing Tools

While many free options are available, enterprises may seek more robust solutions. Following is a list of some prominent accessibility testing tools:

1. BrowserStack

BrowserStack provides manual and automated accessibility testing of Android and iOS apps. It enables teams to monitor accessibility problems and integrates testing directly into builds. It supports WCAG, ADA, AODA, Section 508, and EN 301 549 compliance.

Key Features:

• Real Device Testing: Test on 3,000+ real devices and browsers to ensure that your site is viewable on several platforms, as well as identifying device-specific accessibility issues.
   
• Live Debugging: Get real-time feedback of accessibility issues, with instant fixes.
   
• CI/CD Pipeline Integration: Automate accessibility testing as a part of continuous delivery and integration processes with Jenkins, GitHub Actions, and CircleCI.
   
• Comprehensive Reports: Comprehensive reports that highlight WCAG and ADA compliance issues, along with actionable remediation suggestions.
   
• Cross-Browser Testing: It provides support for testing on more than one browser, including old or less common configurations.

BrowserStack is perfect for developers and QA teams that require an end-to-end solution with real device testing, live analysis, and smooth integration with development workflows.

2. Accessibility Insights
 

Accessibility Insights for Web is a robust browser extension for Chrome and Microsoft Edge. It assists developers in detecting and resolving accessibility issues quickly, providing two main functionalities:

• FastPass: A rapid, two-step process to identify prevalent, high-impact accessibility problems in under five minutes.
   
• Evaluation: Comprehensive testing to verify WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance.
   

Key Features:

• Automated checks for around 50 accessibility requirements.
   
• Visual aids for identifying and correcting keyboard access issues.
   
• Manual tests with instructions on how to fix specific accessibility issues.

3. ChromeVox

ChromeVox is a Chrome extension screen reader that gives visually impaired users access to the web by reading out text content.

Key Features:

• Web Navigation: ChromeVox is built for web page browsing, with shortcuts and commands that allow easy navigation. It reads out web content, such as links, headings, and form fields, so that users can access all online information.
   
• Designed for Chrome OS: ChromeVox is a native application on Chrome OS, optimized with the operating system. It offers an equally optimized experience on every device running Chrome OS, whether that is a Chromebook or a Chromebox.
   
• Keyboard Shortcuts: ChromeVox features a set of keyboard shortcuts that allow users to access both their devices and the internet without a mouse. This is extremely crucial for visually impaired users who follow keyboard commands to aid accessibility.
   
• ARIA Support: ChromeVox provides full support for all ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) attributes, increasing the accessibility of dynamic web pages. This allows users to interact with modern web applications that utilize JavaScript and other advanced technologies.
   
• Braille Display Compatibility: ChromeVox supports a variety of Braille displays, allowing users to read web pages in Braille. This extends its use, especially for users who are both hearing and visually impaired.

ChromeVox is an important tool for Chrome OS users who need a stable screen reader. Its emphasis on web accessibility and close integration with Chrome OS, makes it a viable option for those who rely too heavily on web applications and services.
 

4. Pa11y
 

Pa11y is a toolset of accessibility testing automation, from command-line utility to browser dashboard and CI tool integration for tracking several websites at once.

Key features:

• Command-line Interface (CLI): Pa11y can be executed from the command line, which makes it is easy to incorporate into automated build processes. This is especially useful for developers who want to ensure that accessibility checks are consistently included in their continuous integration and delivery pipelines.
   
• Customizable Testing: Pa11y allows developers to tailor the tests it runs, making it possible to focus on specific WCAG guidelines or other accessibility standards. This flexibility benefits organizations with unique or more detailed accessibility requirements.
   
• Detailed JSON Reports: The tool generates detailed reports in JSON format, which can be easily parsed and integrated into other tools or dashboards. The reports include in-depth information about each identified issue, along with suggestions for remediation.
   
• Pa11y Dashboard: For teams managing multiple projects, Pa11y offers a central dashboard that aggregates accessibility results from different sites. This feature is particularly beneficial for large organizations or agencies handling several websites, providing a clear overview of accessibility status across projects.
   
• Browser-based Testing: Pa11y supports headless browsers like Puppeteer, enabling testing of dynamic content and single-page applications. This ensures that interactive elements and complex web pages are also checked for accessibility.

With its command-line interface, customizable tests, and support for dynamic content, Pa11y is an excellent, automated solution for ensuring accessibility compliance in development environments.

5. sa11y (Salesforce Automated Accessibility Testing Libraries)

sa11y is a suite of tools for integrating automated accessibility testing into various workflows. Built on axe-core, it supports Jest unit tests, WebdriverIO component tests, and more, ensuring accessibility in Salesforce-based applications.

Key Features:

• Jest Integration: Includes a toBeAccessible() matcher for seamless accessibility checks.
   
• WebdriverIO Integration: Use assertAccessible() for browser-rendered pages.
   
• Preset Rules: Includes Base, Extended, and Full accessibility rules.

6. WAVE (Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool) 

WAVE, developed by WebAIM, helps developers and content creators improve the accessibility of their web content by offering visual feedback directly in the browser.

Key Features:

• Visual Feedback: WAVE injects visual indicators into web pages to highlight accessibility issues such as missing alt text, incorrect heading structures, and poor color contrast.
   
• Detailed Descriptions: Each detected issue is explained with links to relevant WCAG guidelines for easy fixes.
   
• Color Contrast Analysis: Built-in color contrast checker ensures content is readable for users with visual impairments.
   
• Browser Extensions: Available for Chrome and Firefox, enabling on-the-fly testing during development.
   
• Structural Analysis: Identifies issues with headings, landmarks, and other elements to ensure content is navigable by screen readers.

WAVE is great for developers who need visual feedback and actionable insights for quick, iterative accessibility testing.

7. SortSite

SortSite is an all-in-one web testing tool that checks for accessibility, usability, SEO, and compliance with web standards, focusing heavily on accessibility.

Key Features:

• Comprehensive Testing: Performs over 700 tests covering WCAG and ADA compliance, SEO, usability, and more.
   
• Customizable Test Suites: Create specific test suites tailored to unique accessibility needs.
   
• In-Depth Reports: Detailed reports categorizing issues by severity, with remediation recommendations.
   
• Batch Testing: Test multiple pages or entire websites in one batch for large projects.
   
• CI/CD Integration: Supports continuous accessibility testing through integration with CI/CD tools.

SortSite is an ideal solution for teams needing a comprehensive tool that tests across multiple web standards and performance metrics.

8. axe-core-maven-html

axe-core-maven-html integrates axe accessibility testing into popular frameworks like JUnit, Selenium, and Playwright. This tool supports automated accessibility testing and ensures your web apps meet high accessibility standards.

Key Features:

• Selenium Integration: Automate tests with Selenium.
   
• Playwright Support: Test across different browsers.
   
• Automated Testing: Zero false positives and quick execution.
   

This tool promotes digital equality by encouraging automated testing and widespread adoption across the developer community.

9. Guidepup

Guidepup is a screen reader driver for test automation that supports VoiceOver on macOS and NVDA on Windows. This tool allows developers to ensure their apps are accessible by mirroring real user experiences with screen readers.

Key Features:

• Full control over screen reader commands.
   
• User experience-based assertions for screen readers.
   
• Compatible with Jest, Playwright, and independent scripts

10. Wave Evaluation Tool

The Wave Evaluation Tool provides visual feedback on accessibility issues on web pages by injecting icons and indicators. It highlights errors, alerts, and potential issues, allowing you to optimize accessibility.

11. Color Contrast Analyzer

This extension checks text color contrast against the background to meet WCAG 2 requirements. It analyzes the page as it appears in the browser, even accounting for complex CSS and gradients, making it one of the essential accessibility testing tools.

12. Tenon– Level Access

Tenon, now Level Access, is a versatile accessibility testing tool that integrates easily into the development process. Offering both a web interface and an API, it ensures accessibility checks are part of the software development lifecycle.

Key Features:

• Customizable API: Integrates with any development environment for automated accessibility testing throughout the software development process.
   
• Detailed Reports: Provides granular, code-level insights on accessibility issues and remediation guidance.
   
• Integration with Development Tools: Works with tools like Jira, Jenkins, and GitHub to seamlessly integrate accessibility checks into development workflows.
   
• Flexible Testing: Supports both manual and automated testing, offering a mix of approaches for different project needs.
   
• Real-Time Feedback: Immediate feedback during coding to address issues as they arise.
  Tenon is perfect for development teams that need continuous accessibility testing integrated into their workflow.

13. AChecks

(AChecker) AChecker, also known as AChecks, is an open-source accessibility evaluation tool that helps users assess individual web pages for compliance with WCAG 2.1 guidelines.

Key Features:

• Comprehensive Evaluation: Performs a detailed analysis, categorizing issues based on their severity and offering remediation guidance.
   
• Customizable Guidelines: Evaluate against WCAG 2.1, Section 508, or custom guidelines to meet specific accessibility standards.
   
• Manual Review Assistance: Identifies issues requiring human judgment for manual review, such as alt text quality.
   
• Open-Source: Customizable to fit specific organizational needs, with the ability to add additional checks, making it a flexible accessibility testing tool.
   
• Reports and Feedback: Generates detailed reports with explanations and solutions for each issue.

AChecks is a great free, customizable tool for developers and designers looking for a simple, open-source accessibility solution.

14. IBM Equal Access Accessibility Checker

IBM’s Equal Access Accessibility Checker integrates directly into the development process, providing real-time feedback on WCAG 2.1 compliance.

Key Features:

• Real-Time Feedback: Instant feedback on accessibility issues as developers code, offering suggestions for improvements.
   
• Comprehensive Rule Set: Evaluates elements like keyboard navigation, color contrast, and ARIA usage based on WCAG 2.1 guidelines.
   
• IDE Integration: Available as a plugin for popular IDEs like Visual Studio Code, making accessibility testing part of the development workflow.
   
• Detailed Reports: Reports that explain each issue, its impact, and links to resources for fixing it.
   
• Automated and Manual Testing: Combines automated checks with manual testing guidance for thorough accessibility testing.

IBM Equal Access is an excellent choice for developers seeking a tool that integrates seamlessly into their development environment.

15. Google Accessibility Developer Tools

Google’s Accessibility Developer Tools is a Chrome extension that helps developers inspect and debug accessibility issues directly within Chrome DevTools.

Key Features:

• Accessibility Audit: Automates the scan for common accessibility issues, such as missing alt text and poor color contrast.
   
• ARIA Checks: Provides feedback on ARIA role implementation to ensure proper use and effectiveness.
   
• Real-Time Inspection: Inspect elements in real time to detect accessibility issues, especially in dynamic content, making it one of the most helpful accessibility testing tools.
   
• Focus Management: Tests keyboard navigation and focus management to ensure accessibility for keyboard-only users.
   
• Chrome DevTools Integration: Seamlessly integrates with Chrome DevTools, providing a familiar interface for developers.

Google Accessibility Developer Tools is ideal for developers who want a straightforward way to test accessibility within Chrome DevTools.

16. Firefox Accessibility Inspector

The Firefox Accessibility Inspector is a built-in tool within Firefox Developer Tools that helps developers inspect and debug the accessibility of their web pages. It provides a visual representation of the accessibility tree, making it easier to understand how elements are perceived by assistive technologies.

Key Features:

• Accessibility Tree View: The tool displays the accessibility tree of a webpage, which is a hierarchical structure showing how the page’s content is arranged for assistive technologies. This view helps developers identify issues with how elements are labeled and organized.
   
• Role, Name, and States Inspection: Developers can inspect the role, name, and state of various elements, ensuring that each element is correctly labeled and described. This ensures that screen readers can accurately convey the purpose and function of each element to users.
   
• Color Contrast Checker: The Accessibility Inspector includes a built-in color contrast checker, helping developers ensure that text and other elements meet the required contrast ratios as outlined by WCAG guidelines. This ensures that content is legible for users with visual impairments.
   
• Keyboard Navigation Testing: The tool allows developers to test keyboard navigation across web pages, ensuring all interactive elements can be accessed via keyboard alone. This is essential for users with motor impairments who depend on keyboard navigation.
   
• Issue Tracking: The tool highlights accessibility issues directly within the browser, making it easier for developers to spot and resolve problems as they work. It also provides links to relevant documentation for further assistance.

The Firefox Accessibility Inspector is an essential tool for developers looking to integrate accessibility testing into their workflow. Its detailed accessibility tree view and real-time issue identification make it invaluable for debugging and enhancing the accessibility of web content.

17. VoiceOver (macOS)

VoiceOver is Apple’s built-in screen reader for macOS and iOS devices, offering visually impaired users full access through spoken descriptions, Braille displays, and gestures. It’s deeply integrated into the Apple ecosystem, providing seamless functionality across all Apple apps.

Key Features:

• Gesture-based Navigation: Users can navigate with touch gestures, ideal for iPhone and iPad users.
   
• Braille Display Support: Supports a wide range of Braille displays for both output and input.
   
• Integrated with macOS and iOS: Works consistently across Apple apps, such as Safari, Mail, and TextEdit.
   
• Screen Curtain: Disables the screen display for privacy while keeping the device functional.
   
• Customizable Voice Settings: Allows users to adjust speech rate, pitch, and language to suit their preferences.

VoiceOver is a powerful tool for visually impaired users, providing accessibility and customization within Apple’s ecosystem.

18. UI Automation

Microsoft UI Automation is an accessibility framework for Windows applications that provides programmatic access to UI elements. It allows assistive technology, like screen readers, to interact with the UI.

19. Google Lighthouse

Google Lighthouse is a free tool provided by Google that helps improve the quality of web pages on your website.
It audits your pages for various aspects, including performance, accessibility, SEO, and more, and offers actionable suggestions to enhance these areas.
As an open-source tool, Google Lighthouse is available for anyone to use on any webpage.

Key features:

1. Performance

This audit assesses how quickly a website loads and how fast users can interact with it. Lighthouse evaluates performance using five-speed metrics, each measuring different aspects of page speed:

• First Contentful Paint (FCP): Measures the time it takes for the first text or image to become visible.
   
• Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): Measures the time it takes for the largest element on the page to load.
   
• Total Blocking Time (TBT): Measures how long the page is blocked from responding to user input, such as mouse clicks.
   
• Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): Measures how much the page layout shifts while users are interacting with the page.
   
• Speed Index (SI): Shows how quickly the content of the page is loaded.

Lighthouse assigns an overall performance score based on the results of these metrics, with a score range of 0 to 100. A score between 90 and 100 indicates that the page is well-optimized for user experience. A score below 90 suggests that there are performance issues that need to be addressed, as they could impact the overall experience for users.

Key Metrics for Accessibility Testing

To effectively assess the accessibility of a website or application, tracking key metrics is essential. Some important metrics include:

• Error Density: The frequency of accessibility errors.
   
• Compliance with WCAG: Adherence to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.
   
• Unique Issues: Identifying distinct accessibility issues.
   
• User Impact: The effects of accessibility barriers on users.
   
• Keyboard Accessibility: How easy it is to navigate the site using only a keyboard.
   
• Screen Reader Compatibility: The website’s compatibility with screen readers.

These metrics help gauge the level of accessibility, track progress, and identify areas for improvement.
 

Types of Accessibility Testing

Different types of accessibility testing focus on addressing various user impairments and ensuring compliance with standards. These include:

• Color Contrast Testing: Checking text contrast to ensure it meets WCAG standards.
   
• Text Alternatives: Verifying alternative text for images to aid non-sighted users.
   
• ARIA Testing: Ensuring proper ARIA roles and attributes for screen reader compatibility.
   
• Keyboard Accessibility Testing: Ensuring the site is fully navigable using just the keyboard.

How to Choose the Best ADA Testing Tool

When selecting an ADA testing tool, consider the following factors to ensure it meets your needs:

• Compliance Standards: Ensure the tool supports WCAG 2.1 and Section 508 standards to meet legal and ethical obligations.
   
• Testing Capabilities: Look for features like automated testing, manual support, color contrast checks, keyboard navigation tests, and screen reader simulations.
   
• Usability: Choose a user-friendly tool with an intuitive interface to save time and ensure ease of use.
   
• Real Device Testing: Ensure the tool allows testing on multiple devices to assess how users with disabilities interact across platforms.
   
• Cross-Platform Support: Ensure the tool works on web, mobile, and desktop platforms.
   
• Customization: Look for tools that allow you to adjust testing parameters and generate customizable reports.
   
• Scalability: Ensure the tool can scale for websites of different sizes.
   
• Integration: The tool should integrate with CI/CD pipelines, version control systems, and other development tools.
   
• Support: Choose a tool with robust support options, including documentation, tutorials, and customer service.
   
• Flexible Pricing: Consider pricing models that align with your budget, from free versions for smaller projects to more advanced paid options.

How to Perform ADA Testing Using BrowserStack Accessibility

BrowserStack Accessibility helps ensure ADA compliance through these steps:

• Setup and Configuration: Install BrowserStack Accessibility in your environment, integrating it with your CI/CD pipeline.
   
• Automated Testing: Use automated testing to scan your web pages for WCAG 2.1 and ADA compliance issues.
   
• Manual Testing: Conduct manual checks by navigating the site with keyboard-only controls and simulating screen readers.
   
• Real Device Testing: Test across various devices and browsers using BrowserStack’s real device cloud.
   
• Analyze and Fix Issues: Review test reports, prioritize issues based on severity, and make necessary code changes.
   
• Re-test: After implementing fixes, re-test the site to ensure no new issues are introduced.

BrowserStack Accessibility is a robust, flexible solution for ADA testing, making it a top choice for developers and organizations committed to accessible web content.