TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES FOR

EVALUATING #A11Y
A C C E S S I B I L I T Y
@bamadesigner
https://bamadesigner.com

https://wa11y.org
Rachel Carden
Senior Software Engineer, Disney

Founder, WPCampus
What is accessibility?#a11y
Web accessibility refers to 

the inclusive practice of 

removing barriers that
prevent interaction with, or
access to, websites by people
with disabilities.
#a11y
We need to make
every single thing
accessible to 

every single person
with a disability.
- Stevie Wonder
Information wants to be free
ACCESSIBLE
Information needs to be
#a11y
Data shows 1 in 5 people
have a disability. You
could be excluding 20% 

of your potential users, 

customers, students, 

and more.
#a11y
WEB ACCESSIBILITY STANDARDS
WCAG 2.0
Web Content

Accessibility

Guidelines
Section 508
WCAG are part of a series of guidelines published by 

the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) of the World
Wide Web Consortium (W3C), the main international
standards organization for the Internet.
Current version was published in December 2008.
Section 508 Standards apply to electronic and 

information technology developed, procured, maintained,
or used by federal agencies, including computer hardware
and software, websites, phone systems, and copiers.
Standards were issued in 2000.
All non-text content needs 

a text equivalent to help
convey information to those
with sensory disabilities
Accessible text equivalents:
• Image captions or alt attributes
• Captioned video
• Audio transcripts
Examples of non-text content:
• Images / Word Art
• Charts / Graphs
• Decorative images, such as backgrounds
#a11y
Without alternative text, life-saving information in this
graphic is not available to visually impaired users.
#a11y
Color usage should have 

sufficient contrast
and should not be used
as the sole method for
conveying information
or direction
Minimum: 4.5:1
GREAT CONTRAST

8.47:1
REALLY BAD
CONTRAST
2.63:1
YOU GOTTA BE
KIDDING ME
1.63:1
POOR CONTRAST
3.5:1
Web accessibility means that
people with disabilities can
perceive, understand, navigate,
interact with, and contribute to
the Web.
If color is the only method for conveying a link:
The link would be invisible to those who can’t see blue:
Web accessibility means that
people with disabilities can
perceive, understand, navigate,
interact with, and contribute to
the Web.
Web accessibility means that
people with disabilities can
perceive, understand, navigate,
interact with, and contribute to
the Web.
If a different color and an underline is used:
Then the link would become visible:
Web accessibility means that
people with disabilities can
perceive, understand, navigate,
interact with, and contribute to
the Web.
Pages should have

<proper heading structure>

in order to be readable
without a stylesheet for those
who do not navigate visually.
#a11y
All site functionality

should be available 

using the keyboard 

for persons who do 

not use a mouse.
#a11y
While not an official standard,
responsive web design is
important to ensure your site
can be viewed on assistive
devices of various sizes.
#a11y
Another important
consideration is download
speeds and order to ensure
those who don’t have access
to high speed Internet can
consume your information.
#a11y
ARIA (Assistive Rich
Internet Applications)

Was created to improve
accessibility of applications by
providing extra information to
screen readers via HTML
attributes.
#a11y
GOOD MARKUP
The foundation for good accessibility is
#a11y
CHECKLISTS
• WCAG 2.0 Checklist - from WebAIM
• http://webaim.org/standards/wcag/checklist
• Section 508 Checklist - from WebAIM
• http://webaim.org/standards/508/checklist
#a11y
an accessibility evaluation tool from WebAIM
http://wave.webaim.org
• Free in-browser testing
• Free Chrome extension
• Premium API
TESTS FOR: Section 508 and WCAG 2.0 A/AA
an accessibility visualization toolkit
http://khan.github.io/tota11y
• Alt text and confusing link text
• Color contrast
• Heading structure
• Form labels
• ARIA landmarks
TESTS FOR:
• Javascript file that
places button on site
• Free Chrome
extension
client-side script that checks HTML source code
and detects violations of a defined coding standard
http://squizlabs.github.io/HTML_CodeSniffer
• Copy/paste code for quick testing
• Free bookmarklet for in-browser testing
TESTS FOR: Section 508 and WCAG 2.0 A/AA/AAA
an automated accessibility testing library
http://pa11y.org
• Section508
• WCAG 2.0 A/AA/AAA
TESTS FOR:
• Web dashboard
• JSON web service
• Command line
PROVIDES:
Javascript library that executes automated accessibility
testing inside your testing framework or browser of choice
http://www.deque.com/products/axe
• Free Javascript library
• Free Chrome extension
wA11y - The Web Accessibility Toolbox

https://wordpress.org/plugins/wa11y/
BROWSER TOOLS#a11y
BROWSER TOOLS#a11y
Take advantage of in-browser
testing tools to evaluate
WordPress theme demos
before you purchase.
ACCESSIBILITY PRO TIP:
#a11y
TOOLS
• Which Tool Is Best?
• http://webaim.org/articles/tools
• Web Accessibility Evaluation Tools
• https://www.w3.org/WAI/ER/tools
#a11y
• Color Contrast Checker
• http://webaim.org/resources/contrastchecker
• Getting Started With ARIA
• http://a11yproject.com/posts/getting-started-aria
#a11y OTHER RESOURCES
• Practical ARIA Examples
• http://heydonworks.com/practical_aria_examples
• Videos of screen readers using ARIA
• http://zomigi.com/blog/videos-of-screen-readers-
using-aria-updated/
#a11y OTHER RESOURCES
#A11y, WordPress and Your Website
https://www.wpwatercooler.com/video/a11y-wordpress-
website-wrachel-carden-bamadesigner-wpblab/
Accessibility In WordPress
https://www.thewpcrowd.com/podcast/episode-006-
accessibility-in-wordpress/
wA11y
"web a11y" or "web accessibility"

wA11y.org is a new initiative to contribute to web
accessibility by providing information, education,
resources, and tools.
Interested in joining or contributing?

Sign up at https://wa11y.org
A community and conference for web
professionals, educators and people
dedicated to the confluence of
WordPress in higher education.
https://wpcampus.org
@wpcampusorg
#WPCampus
QUESTIONS?
Get involved at https://wa11y.org
#A11Y / #wA11Y
@bamadesigner
https://bamadesigner.com

https://wa11y.org
Rachel Carden
Senior Software Engineer, Disney

Founder, WPCampus

Tools And Techniques For Evaluating Accessibility

  • 1.
    TOOLS AND TECHNIQUESFOR
 EVALUATING #A11Y A C C E S S I B I L I T Y @bamadesigner https://bamadesigner.com
 https://wa11y.org Rachel Carden Senior Software Engineer, Disney
 Founder, WPCampus
  • 2.
  • 3.
    Web accessibility refersto 
 the inclusive practice of 
 removing barriers that prevent interaction with, or access to, websites by people with disabilities. #a11y
  • 4.
    We need tomake every single thing accessible to 
 every single person with a disability. - Stevie Wonder
  • 5.
    Information wants tobe free ACCESSIBLE Information needs to be #a11y
  • 6.
    Data shows 1in 5 people have a disability. You could be excluding 20% 
 of your potential users, 
 customers, students, 
 and more. #a11y
  • 7.
    WEB ACCESSIBILITY STANDARDS WCAG2.0 Web Content
 Accessibility
 Guidelines Section 508 WCAG are part of a series of guidelines published by 
 the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), the main international standards organization for the Internet. Current version was published in December 2008. Section 508 Standards apply to electronic and 
 information technology developed, procured, maintained, or used by federal agencies, including computer hardware and software, websites, phone systems, and copiers. Standards were issued in 2000.
  • 8.
    All non-text contentneeds 
 a text equivalent to help convey information to those with sensory disabilities
  • 9.
    Accessible text equivalents: •Image captions or alt attributes • Captioned video • Audio transcripts Examples of non-text content: • Images / Word Art • Charts / Graphs • Decorative images, such as backgrounds #a11y
  • 10.
    Without alternative text,life-saving information in this graphic is not available to visually impaired users. #a11y
  • 11.
    Color usage shouldhave 
 sufficient contrast and should not be used as the sole method for conveying information or direction Minimum: 4.5:1 GREAT CONTRAST
 8.47:1 REALLY BAD CONTRAST 2.63:1 YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING ME 1.63:1 POOR CONTRAST 3.5:1
  • 12.
    Web accessibility meansthat people with disabilities can perceive, understand, navigate, interact with, and contribute to the Web. If color is the only method for conveying a link:
  • 13.
    The link wouldbe invisible to those who can’t see blue: Web accessibility means that people with disabilities can perceive, understand, navigate, interact with, and contribute to the Web.
  • 14.
    Web accessibility meansthat people with disabilities can perceive, understand, navigate, interact with, and contribute to the Web. If a different color and an underline is used:
  • 15.
    Then the linkwould become visible: Web accessibility means that people with disabilities can perceive, understand, navigate, interact with, and contribute to the Web.
  • 16.
    Pages should have
 <properheading structure>
 in order to be readable without a stylesheet for those who do not navigate visually. #a11y
  • 17.
    All site functionality
 shouldbe available 
 using the keyboard 
 for persons who do 
 not use a mouse. #a11y
  • 18.
    While not anofficial standard, responsive web design is important to ensure your site can be viewed on assistive devices of various sizes. #a11y
  • 19.
    Another important consideration isdownload speeds and order to ensure those who don’t have access to high speed Internet can consume your information. #a11y
  • 20.
    ARIA (Assistive Rich InternetApplications)
 Was created to improve accessibility of applications by providing extra information to screen readers via HTML attributes. #a11y
  • 21.
    GOOD MARKUP The foundationfor good accessibility is #a11y
  • 22.
    CHECKLISTS • WCAG 2.0Checklist - from WebAIM • http://webaim.org/standards/wcag/checklist • Section 508 Checklist - from WebAIM • http://webaim.org/standards/508/checklist #a11y
  • 23.
    an accessibility evaluationtool from WebAIM http://wave.webaim.org • Free in-browser testing • Free Chrome extension • Premium API TESTS FOR: Section 508 and WCAG 2.0 A/AA
  • 24.
    an accessibility visualizationtoolkit http://khan.github.io/tota11y • Alt text and confusing link text • Color contrast • Heading structure • Form labels • ARIA landmarks TESTS FOR: • Javascript file that places button on site • Free Chrome extension
  • 25.
    client-side script thatchecks HTML source code and detects violations of a defined coding standard http://squizlabs.github.io/HTML_CodeSniffer • Copy/paste code for quick testing • Free bookmarklet for in-browser testing TESTS FOR: Section 508 and WCAG 2.0 A/AA/AAA
  • 26.
    an automated accessibilitytesting library http://pa11y.org • Section508 • WCAG 2.0 A/AA/AAA TESTS FOR: • Web dashboard • JSON web service • Command line PROVIDES:
  • 27.
    Javascript library thatexecutes automated accessibility testing inside your testing framework or browser of choice http://www.deque.com/products/axe • Free Javascript library • Free Chrome extension
  • 28.
    wA11y - TheWeb Accessibility Toolbox
 https://wordpress.org/plugins/wa11y/
  • 30.
  • 31.
  • 32.
    Take advantage ofin-browser testing tools to evaluate WordPress theme demos before you purchase. ACCESSIBILITY PRO TIP: #a11y
  • 33.
    TOOLS • Which ToolIs Best? • http://webaim.org/articles/tools • Web Accessibility Evaluation Tools • https://www.w3.org/WAI/ER/tools #a11y
  • 34.
    • Color ContrastChecker • http://webaim.org/resources/contrastchecker • Getting Started With ARIA • http://a11yproject.com/posts/getting-started-aria #a11y OTHER RESOURCES
  • 35.
    • Practical ARIAExamples • http://heydonworks.com/practical_aria_examples • Videos of screen readers using ARIA • http://zomigi.com/blog/videos-of-screen-readers- using-aria-updated/ #a11y OTHER RESOURCES
  • 36.
    #A11y, WordPress andYour Website https://www.wpwatercooler.com/video/a11y-wordpress- website-wrachel-carden-bamadesigner-wpblab/ Accessibility In WordPress https://www.thewpcrowd.com/podcast/episode-006- accessibility-in-wordpress/
  • 37.
    wA11y "web a11y" or"web accessibility"
 wA11y.org is a new initiative to contribute to web accessibility by providing information, education, resources, and tools. Interested in joining or contributing?
 Sign up at https://wa11y.org
  • 38.
    A community andconference for web professionals, educators and people dedicated to the confluence of WordPress in higher education. https://wpcampus.org @wpcampusorg #WPCampus
  • 39.
    QUESTIONS? Get involved athttps://wa11y.org #A11Y / #wA11Y @bamadesigner https://bamadesigner.com
 https://wa11y.org Rachel Carden Senior Software Engineer, Disney
 Founder, WPCampus