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Evaluating webpage accessibility

Web Accessibility refers to creating web content that can be used by as many people as possible including people with disabilities or impairments.Under  the University is required to make the web content accessible to WCAG 2.2 AA standard.

Accessibility Checklist

is comprehensive and should be consulted to check compliance with WCAG 2.1 AA standard. You must be able to answer Yes or Not Applicable to all of the questions in the checklist to meet WCAG 2.1 to level AA standard. Note this checklist is for WCAG 2.1AA.

The ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø guide Creating accessible online content is available for you to consult.

Web Accessibility Testing

Keyboard Test

The website and its content should be fully accessible by keyboard navigation. Using the tab key navigate to all the options, menus, buttons and other functionality on the page. This test is an important part of making your website accessible to the required standard.

If there is page content that update real time (for example, Twitter feeds) there should be a way for a user to skip out of it. You should also be able to see where you are (focus) on the page as you tab through it.

Web Tools for Accessibility Evaluation

There are various free and paid-for tools to test accessibility of websites. Listed here are some free tools that can be used.

Accessibility Insights for Web

Accessibility Insights

is an extension for Chrome and Edge to evaluate accessibility of web apps and sites. This tool provides automated testing as well as supports guided manual testing. provides step by step guide to using the tool.

On a chrome browser, visit the and search for and add it to your browser extensions. Once added it will be visible on to the right side of the address bar in the extensions menu. To test a webpage, load the page on Chrome browser and click on the Accessibility Insights for Web extension. This will open a menu with the option to use Fast Pass or Assessment.

Accessibility Insights menu

Fast Pass – this is the automated testing supported by the Accessibility Insights for Web. The tool automatically checks for compliance with approximately 50 accessibility requirements.

Manual Tests – the tool provides step-by-step instructions to conduct the manual tests and many tests are assisted with a visual helper.

The results of the test you have conducted can be exported as an HTML file as an audit trail by selecting the Export result option.

WAVE Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool

WAVE tool is available as a   for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.

WAVE web accessibility evaluation tool

Alternatively you can enter the URL to test on the .  video shows how to evaluate a webpage with the tool and how to interpret its results.

axe DevTools

is a another accessibility evaluation tool. This allows the basic tests to be done with a free to use . However, to save your results or to conduct in depth evaluation you must have a paid-for account. This is the tool used by the Government Digital Services to test accessibility compliance.

Compliance

If you create or edit content on any of ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø webpages, please use the resources available to ensure the pages are WCAG 2.2 AA compliant.

If you’re working with a third-party supplier on a website for the University, please ensure that the supplier understands and follows WCAG 2.2 AA principles. Make sure you include WCAG 2.2 AA compliance as a requirement in the contract.

It is your duty and responsibility to make the university websites accessible and compliant under .