Web accessibility ensures digital products work for everyone, including users with disabilities. European accessibility regulations increasingly mandate WCAG compliance. Automated testing catches many issues efficiently, though comprehensive accessibility requires combining automation with manual testing and user feedback.
Automated Testing Tools
Axe-core powers many accessibility testing tools with comprehensive rule coverage. Lighthouse includes accessibility audits alongside performance testing. Pa11y enables command-line and CI integration. These tools catch issues like missing alt text, insufficient contrast, and improper heading structure automatically.
- Integrate accessibility checks into CI/CD pipelines for continuous validation
- Run axe-core tests alongside functional tests using Cypress or Playwright
- Set accessibility score thresholds that fail builds when violated
- Focus automated tests on objective, programmatically detectable issues
- Schedule regular full-site accessibility scans catching issues across all pages
Beyond Automation
Automated tools catch approximately 30-40% of accessibility issues. Keyboard navigation, screen reader compatibility, and cognitive accessibility require manual testing. Include users with disabilities in usability testing when possible. Accessibility is an ongoing practice, not a one-time checkbox.