One way to validate accessibility is to focus on accessibility testing. This can ensure everyone is able to access the app or website, including users with visual, audio, physical, neurological and cognitive issues.
However, “it is important to understand that accessibility testing is not a one-time fix for any website or app but a continuous process,” warns Asad Khan, the founder and CEO of AI-powered test execution cloud platform LambdaTest.
Singling out a 2024 WebAIM survey which found that 95.9% of homepages have detectable failures, this “underscores the ongoing need for improvement and vigilance in ensuring digital inclusivity,” he wrote in Forbes Tech.
“As tech advances, our dedication to accessibility ensures full digital inclusion for all.”
According to a U.K.-based survey, 55% of consumers abandon purchases due to accessibility issues, leading to 120 billion pounds in lost sales every year.
“While accessibility testing can help in achieving user-friendly UX, it can also help businesses tap into markets, help with online rankings and build reputation,” Khan argued.
According to the industry insider “accessibility and UX go hand in hand.”
He calls accessibility testing “an important step to widen the user base and allow websites and apps to handle different disabilities for a better user experience.”
For example, screen reader compatibility and keyboard navigation are among the most important accessible features that make webpages easier to use for everyone.
Apart from enhanced UX, accessibility testing can be a key to achieving brand credibility and market research, Khan continued.
According to a Forrester report, via the Bureau of Internet Accessibility, accessibility and improvements yield $100 for every $1 spent.
“Ideally, by being accessible to 1.3 billion people worldwide, businesses can cater to a new customer base,” he wrote.
“Additionally, accessibility features like clear website structure and proper use of alt text can contribute to better SEO and online ranking.”
Tricky balance
To achieve accessibility, there are set guidelines like Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 that developers and designers must follow.
However, according to WebAIM, in 2021, 98% of websites did not conform to accessibility guidelines/legal standards.
“First things first, accessibility could be treated as an afterthought, including by the dedicated accessibility teams following the design phase,” Khan stated.
“It’s suggested to include the developers even in the design phase to avoid such critical scenarios.”
“Accessibility could be treated as an afterthought, including by the dedicated accessibility teams.”
– Asad Khan
Another roadblock could be that accessibility testing primarily relies on predefined guidelines and may overlook the nuances unique to various disabilities, Khan continued, adding that this results in a one-size-fits-all policy.
“Involving people with disabilities and understanding real-world perspectives throughout the testing process can further help the development and design teams come up with a personalized approach,” he pointed out.
Even in 2023, WebAIM found that across one million homepages, 49,991,225 distinct accessibility errors were detected, an average of 50 errors per page.
Last, but not least, with the continuous rise of web technologies like virtual reality, complex UI developers and testers must stay updated on the latest accessibility best practices, Khan warned.
“Further, it’s important to understand that websites with overly complex layouts, dense information and unclear instructions can pose significant barriers to understanding and navigation. While this may fascinate some users, it can be problematic for people with cognitive limitations.”
When talking about accessibility and digital inclusion, some organizations have “done it right”, according to Khan. “[They] can be a great example for anyone starting with app and website accessibility.”
Become a QA Financial subscriber – for FREE
News and interviews * Receive our weekly newsletter * Get priority invitations to our Forum events
