While making digital platforms accessible is a legal requirement in many countries, it also provides benefits such as improved user experience, increased customer base, and competitive advantage. Implementing accessibility testing services has now become crucial for businesses and organizations that want to reach a wider audience. However, ensuring that digital platforms are accessible to people with disabilities requires the use of specialized tools. And with the plethora of apps available nowadays, choosing the right tool for your business is very difficult. In this blog, we will discuss the top five tools that accessible testing services must have, and factors to consider when choosing the right testing tool for your needs.

Benefits of Accessibility Testing Services

Accessible testing services benefit not only people with disabilities but also businesses and organizations that want to reach a wider audience. Here are some key benefits of accessible testing services:-

  • Compliance with regulations: Many countries have laws that require digital platforms to be accessible to people with disabilities. Accessible testing services can help businesses ensure that they comply with these regulations.
  • Improved user experience: By making digital platforms accessible, businesses can improve the user experience for everyone, not just people with disabilities. Accessible platforms are typically easier to use, faster, and more intuitive.
  • Increased customer base: By making digital platforms accessible, businesses can reach a wider audience, including people with disabilities who may have been excluded from using the platform in the past.
  • Competitive advantage: Businesses that prioritize accessibility can gain a competitive advantage by standing out from their competitors and attracting customers who value inclusivity.

5 Must-have Tools for Accessibility Testing

Accessible testing services use a variety of tools to ensure that digital platforms are accessible to people with disabilities. Here are five must-have tools for such services:-

  • Wave: This tool provides a detailed report of accessibility issues, along with suggestions for improvement. It also offers a browser extension for real-time analysis of web pages.
  • Tenon: Tenon is a cloud-based tool that offers automated accessibility testing, manual testing, and remediation services. It provides a detailed report of issues, along with recommendations for fixing them.
  • Google Lighthouse: This open-source tool is integrated into Google Chrome and provides an audit of web pages for accessibility, performance, and best practices.
  • Axe: Axe is a free open-source tool that provides automated accessibility testing for web pages. It offers detailed reports of accessibility issues, along with suggested remediation steps.
  • Accessibility Insights: This tool is offered by Microsoft and provides a suite of tools for automated and manual accessibility testing. It includes a browser extension, a Windows app, and a command-line interface for testing web pages.

How To Choose the Right Testing Tool

When choosing an accessible testing tool, it's important to consider your specific needs and the needs of your users. Here are some factors to consider when choosing an accessible testing tool:

  • Accessibility standards: Make sure the testing tool you choose supports the accessibility standards that are relevant to your digital platform. The most common accessibility standards are Section 508, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0, and WCAG 2.1.
  • Type of digital platform: Different testing tools are better suited for different types of digital platforms. For example, a testing tool that is designed for mobile apps may not be effective for testing websites.
  • Level of automation: Some testing tools are fully automated, while others require manual testing. Consider your budget and resources when choosing a testing tool.
  • Reporting capabilities: Look for a testing tool that provides detailed reports on accessibility issues and recommendations for how to fix them.
  • Customer support: Make sure the testing tool you choose provides adequate customer support, including technical support and training.

Conclusion

Accessibility testing services are essential for ensuring that digital platforms are accessible to people with disabilities. By using the tools discussed in this article and choosing the right accessible testing tool for your needs, you can conduct accessibility tests for your software. But for best results, you must partner with a professional testing company such as QASource. Visit QASource now to learn more about the different testing services.