The following quick and easy tests can be used to check accessibility during development. Final Testing will still need to be performed by experienced testers using assistive technologies, but these techniques will help catch and correct most accessibility errors early in the development process.
| Test | Method | OK |
|---|---|---|
| Coding | ||
| Document Type | Check that the document begins with:<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> |
|
| Content Type | Check that the document head contains: |
|
| Valid HTML | Use the W3C HTML Validator (http://validator.w3.org) | |
| Structural HTML | Use the W3C HTML Validator (http://validator.w3.org) Extended Interface, Show Outline feature to generate a list of all headings in the document; check that headings appear and that order is logical. | |
| Text & Colors | ||
| Large Fonts | Activate large fonts (IE: View menu: Text Size: Largest); check that all text responds. Resize the browser window to 800x600; check that there is minimal horizontal scrolling. | |
| High Contrast | Activate high contrast (Control Panel: Display: Appearance: Scheme: High Contrast Black or Left Alt + Left Shift + Print Screen); check that all text responds and that no essential information is lost. | |
| Images | ||
| Alt Text | Turn images off (IE: Tools: Internet Options: Advanced: Multimedia: Show Pictures or Web Accessibility Toolbar); check that all essential images included appropriate alt text. | |
| Links & Forms | ||
| Link Text & Order | Use the Tab key (and Shift + Tab) to navigate through all links and form fields; Read the text of each link to confirm it is meaningful out of context. Order should be logical and usable. | |
| Skip Navigation | Check for "skip navigation" links if pages have repetitive groups of links. | |
| Field Labels | Click on each label; focus should jump to the corresponding field. Check that any instructions are included within the label. | |
| Scripts | ||
| Dynamic Content | Test all dynamic content (including menus, scripted form controls, etc.) using only the keyboard. Watch for unintended side effects. | |
| Page Layout | ||
| Reading Order | As a quick check, use Opera (User Mode w/ Disable Tables) or Lynx Viewer (http://www.delorie.com/web/lynxview.html) to view the page without tables or CSS positioning; check that reading order is logical and usable. | |
| Assistive Technology Testing | ||
| Final Testing | Perform final tests using assistive technologies such as ZoomText, JAWS, and Dragon NaturallySpeaking. When using JAWS or Dragon, be sure not to touch the mouse, and turn the monitor off when performing final tests with JAWS. Include users with disabilities in user testing. | |