Websites are an essential component of the digital assets of businesses. These are the right sources of information for the customers, stakeholders, and other associated personalities. However, not all people have equal access to the websites due to their motor, cognitive, audio, or visual impairments. Hence, it is imperative for businesses to offer accessible websites. The primary step is to start with the web accessibility audit for accessing the current web accessibility standards.
This article delves into the role of the website accessibility audit followed by a quick step-by-step guide on it. It is easy to understand the different steps involved in the completion of the web accessibility testing.
What is a web accessibility audit?
It refers to the systematic evaluation of website accessibility to ensure that people suffering from impairments can access digital assets like the general audience. It helps to identify the possible accessibility barriers or issues that prevent people suffering from different impairments from accessing or interacting with web content.
The key components of a website accessibility audit cover:
- Evaluation against standards
It measures the website against the established accessibility standards and guidelines. The most widely recognized standards are the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
- Using different types of audits
It refers to the use of different accessibility audits like automated testing, manual testing, and user testing.
- Understanding the scope of audits
The scope of the audits refers to using Semantic HTML, navigation, images, multimedia, forms, interactive elements, color and contrast management.
- Documentation of accessibility findings
The dedicated ADA website audits ensure proper documentation of the audit results in a proper report format.
- Accessibility of remediation plan
The accessibility remediation plan is addressed and fixed based on the identified accessibility issues.
- Post-audit testing
After the implementation of accessibility fixes, the post-audit testing helps ensure that accessibility issues are properly resolved.
- Ongoing accessibility maintenance
It refers to the regular audits and maintenance to ensure that websites remain accessible with the evolving features or content.
Step-by-step guide on web accessibility audit
After having a quick understanding of the website accessibility audit, here is a quick and effective step-by-step guide:
- Step 1: Understanding the accessibility guidelines
Firstly, the web accessibility audit starts with a detailed understanding of the accessibility guidelines. It covers an understanding of the leading guidelines like Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, and others.
- Step 2: Selecting the right web accessibility audit tools
The second step refers to the selection of the right web accessibility audit tools after understanding the key accessibility guidelines. It covers the use of automated tools, manual testing, and browser extensions. The automated tools cover Axe, Lighthouse, or WAVE, and manual testing covers keyboard-only navigation, screen readers, and others. The browser extensions offer accessibility plugins highlighting the browser issues.
- Step 3: Auditing the key website areas
Thirdly, these dedicated audits start focusing on the key website audit areas. These cover semantic HTML, images, alternative text, color contrast, keyboard accessibility, forms, interactive elements, video, and audio content.
- Step 4: Recording the accessibility findings
It is important for the ADA website audits to record the accessibility findings for managing the proper documentation. It covers the location of the accessibility issues, the severity of the issue based on the WCAG standards, and ideal recommendations for improvements.
- Step 5: Prioritizing the accessibility issues
The next step here is to prioritize the key identified accessibility issues based on their key impact and severity. It helps in the development of the plan to address and fix the accessibility issues and consider the key resources and timelines.
- Step 6: Implementing accessibility improvements
The sixth step is the implementation of the necessary changes in the website code and content to resolve the proper accessibility issues. It further helps find out that content and features are accessible from the start of development.
- Step 7: Conducting another round of testing
The next step is to perform another round of testing after implementing the accessibility testing solutions to confirm that all fixes are in place. It helps to find out that the issues are properly resolved.
- Step 8: Regular reviewing and maintenance of accessibility standards
The web accessibility audit must cover the regular review and maintenance of the accessibility standards. It covers regular conducting of the periodic audits to catch the new issues and offer ongoing accessibility.
- Step 9: Offering accessibility statements
Moving ahead, it is essential for businesses to mention the accessibility statement or page on the website. It covers outlining the commitment to accessibility, describing the accessibility steps, and offering the right contact information for reporting accessibility issues.
- Step 10: Educating team members
Last but not least is the final step of the website accessibility audit, which refers to the proper education of the team members on accessibility standards. It covers team members from web development, content creation, and accessibility maintenance.
Wrapping Up
Web accessibility audits help businesses to ensure a highly inclusive and diverse digital landscape. It is easy to understand the details of the website accessibility audit followed by the easy guide on conducting these audits in detail. By following these steps and integrating accessibility, it is easy for businesses to create highly accessible web experiences benefitting all users.
Not to miss is the detailed understanding of every step for establishing website accessibility audits while staying relevant to your projects.
Compliance audit management software incorporates customisation of the audit type, audit scheduling and tracking all in one place.
This allows managers to track each audit activity right from the beginning through to the end of the audit and completion of the audit program.
Auditors can also update their teams regarding the audit status throughout the entire audit lifecycle.
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