Next-Gen Tools: Accessibility Testing Trends 2024

The definition of accessibility covers much more than making the content accessible for people suffering from different impairments. Accessibility means the creation of content that is suitable for a large audience covering the general audience and people suffering from impairments. Hence, there are several accessibility testing solutions ensuring the levels of accessibility for your different types of content.

So today, we will try to find out in detail what the meaning of accessibility testing is. We will also go through the next-generation accessibility testing tools promising to create a trend in 2024.

What are Accessibility Testing Solutions

These are the dedicated tools and processes designed to access the accessibility of the different types of digital content like websites, applications, and other content forms. The accessibility testing solutions aim to make the content ready for a large audience while adhering to the defined accessibility standards.

Popular Accessibility Testing Solutions

After having a quick look at the definition of these solutions, below is a quick list of the popular solutions used for creating different types of content:

• Automatic Accessibility Testing Tools

The top options are axe Accessibility and Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool (WAVE). The Axe Accessibility is an open-source tool useful for scanning websites for WCAG guidelines. The WAVE Cutting different evaluation tools necessary for the accessibility experts to create professional web pages.

• Screen Readers

The top two screen readers are Non-Visual Desktop Assessment (NVDA) and Jobs Access With Speech (JAWS). NVDA is an open-source and free screen reader for Windows users while JAWS offers precise keyboard navigation and reads aloud the website content for the users.

• Keyboard Testing

You must ensure that your digital content is accessible to people who prefer the keyboard over the mouse. Hence, the keyboard testing is performed manually to assess the ease of using the keyboard.

• Mobile Accessibility Testing

The top mobile accessibility testing tools are accessibility scanners for Android and voice-over for iOS devices. The Android accessibility scanner defines the accessibility of mobile applications while the iOS’s voice-over helps users with vision impairments to navigate and interact with the different applications

• Browser Developer Tools

These tools are offered as built-in options with the leading browsers like Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. Hence, these tools are capable of performing accessibility inspection, audits, and sharing the debug accessibility issues directly in the browser.

• Colour Contrast Checkers

These tools check that the text and the background have proper contrast to maintain accessibility. The popular options cover Contrast Checker.

• Usability Testing

It involves the checking of your digital assets with real people suffering from real impairments. The usability testing gives the most precious results for understanding the digital asset feedback and necessary changes if required.

• Accessibility Validators

The W3C offers a dedicated Markup Validation Service for checking web documents in SVG, XHTML, or HTML. These are the W3C Markup Validation Services.

Next-gen accessibility testing tools- trends to observe in 2024

So here you are at understanding the top trends in the accessibility testing tools:

• Dynamic Content Testing

With the increase in dynamic content use, the need for dynamic content testing will rise significantly. These are the advanced tools focusing on the analysis and accessibility of digital content.

• Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) Accessibility Testing

The growth of AR and VR calls for dedicated AR and VR accessibility testing solutions. These tools will define the accessibility standards of the auditory and visual elements of the AR and VR programs.

• Qualitative and Quantitative Analytics

The modern accessibility testing solutions will focus on both qualitative and quantitative analytics. Hence, it helps manage the key points having a significant impact on the user experience.

• Global Accessibility Standards Compliances

The next-generation accessibility tools will not only focus on the limited accessibility standards but will cover the global accessibility compliances.

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) Integration

The use of artificial intelligence and machine learning will simplify the accessibility testing process. These solutions will impact especially ecommerce accessibility for improved user experience and business profits.

• Voice Interface Testing

The modern accessibility tools will establish the accessibility of the voice interface testing. With the rise in accessibility solutions for people facing visual issues, their preference is the audio interfaces. Hence, it ensures high levels of accessibility for voice interfaces.

• Multi-device and Cross-Platform Testing

The future accessibility testing solutions will consider multi-device and cross-platform testing. Hence, it will help to ensure that the digital assets are suitable for a large audience without creating any accessibility issues.

• End-to-end Integration with the Development Workflows

Last but not least, the accessibility testing will cover the end-to-end integration with the development workflows. It helps in receiving immediate feedback and introducing the necessary changes for quick implementation.

Key Takeaways

Accessibility testing is a measure of defining the current accessibility status of your digital assets. It covers tools, platforms, websites, and other digital assets. It is easy to understand some of the popular accessibility testing techniques which cover tools and processes.

A quick look at the next-generation accessibility testing tool trends ensures that the technology will play a crucial road in maintaining the accessibility of your digital assets.