Verifying against standards.
WHAT STANDARDS EXIST
Published guidelines defining success criteria at several levels.
WHAT LEVEL IS COMMONLY REQUIRED
The middle level, in most regulations and procurement requirements.
WHAT THE PRINCIPLES COVER
- Perceivable: content available to the senses available
- Operable: usable by any input method
- Understandable: predictable and clear
- Robust: working with assistive technology
WHAT TO TEST AUTOMATICALLY
Contrast ratios Missing alternative text Form fields without labels Heading structure Language declaration
WHAT PROPORTION THAT COVERS
A minority of the criteria.
WHAT MUST BE TESTED MANUALLY
Keyboard operation of every function Focus order and visibility Screen reader announcement Meaningful alternative text Error identification and correction
WHY ALTERNATIVE TEXT CANNOT BE AUTOMATED
A tool can confirm it exists, not that it is useful.
WHAT TO CHECK ABOUT KEYBOARD USE
That nothing is unreachable That focus is always visible That focus is never trapped
WHAT TO TEST WITH
At least one screen reader, on its usual platform.
WHAT TO DOCUMENT
Which criteria are met, and which are not.
WHY
Procurement and regulation ask for exactly that.
WHAT TO INVOLVE
People who use assistive technology.
