How to use a WCAG compliance checker to audit your website
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Businesses can no longer afford to over look the importance of web accessibility. Today, the WCAG test is more than a compliance checkbox. It has become a growing legal risk and a barrier to sustainable growth.
How would you focus on beating the competition or scaling your business when all your time, money, and energy are suddenly redirected toward fighting a wave of lawsuits?
The reality is stark.
Accessibility lawsuits are targeting businesses of all sizes. The popular communication platform for gamers and communities Discord faced a lawsuit in 2024. Visually impaired users argued that its desktop and mobile versions were incompatible with screen readers.
The plaintiffs claimed that the lack of proper labelling and navigation made the platform non-compliant with ADA. Discord has since agreed to make its platform more accessible with popular assistive technologies.
Digital accessibility is a legal necessity as well as a smart business decision. Be proactive about WCAG audits to protect your brand and keep your operations focused on growth and not damage control.
WCAG and its importance
W3Cendeavours to make web content more accessible to people with disabilities. So they provide Web Content Accessibility Guidelines which cover a wider ang e of recommendations. These standards make web content more perceivable, operable, understandable and robust.
Why use a WCAG compliance checker?
A WCAG compliance checker is a tool that scans your website to identify accessibility issues that may hinder users with disabilities. These tools provide insights into areas where your website may not meet WCAG standards. The results enable you to address issues proactively.
Step-by-step guide to using a WCAG compliance checker
Choose a Reliable WCAG Compliance Checker
Several tools are available to check the accessibility level of your website. Find one of the popular options offering a comprehensive analysis of your digital content. Choose one that gives detailed reports and recommendations.
You may also consider WAVE which provides visual feedback about the accessibility of your web content by injecting icons and indicators into your page. There are certain open-source accessibility testing engines available for websites and other HTML-based user interfaces.
Run an Automated Scan
Input your website's URL into the chosen tool to initiate a scan. The tool will analyze your website's code and content as per the WCAG criteria. It will identify issues of missing alt text, insufficient color contrast, and improper heading structures.
Review the Report
After the scan, the tool will generate a report highlighting areas where your website fails to meet WCAG standards. Pay close attention to:
Errors: Definite accessibility issues that need immediate attention.
Warnings: Potential issues that may require manual review.
Features: Elements that enhance accessibility.
Prioritize issues and implement fixes
Not all issues carry the same weight. Prioritize fixes based on their impact on user experience and legal compliance. For instance, images with no alt text on images are a high priority issue that directly affects screen reader users.
Work with your development team to address the identified issues. Ensure that changes align with WCAG guidelines and enhance overall user experience.
WCAG Testing for Mobile Apps
Mobile apps also need WCAG testing. Mobile devices have unique challenges that websites do not always face. Some issues that need attention include:
Touch Target Size: Buttons and links must be big enough for users to tap easily.
Screen Orientation: Make sure the app does well in portrait and landscape modes.
Color Contrast: Text and backgrounds need to have good contrast for users with visual impairments.
Some mobile-specific tools and checkers make testing easier. You may use the Google Lighthouse tool or Axe for mobile. These tools help you catch problems before your app goes live.
Automated WCAG Testing is not enough!
Conduct Manual Testing
Automated accessibility checkers may seem convenient, but they are not reliable. According to W3C’s own documentation, tools catch around 30% of actual issues. These tools can scan your website for code-level problems, but they completely miss issues of user experience, context, screen reader compatibility and keyboard navigation.
This false sense of security can lead businesses straight into legal trouble like Eye bobs, the popular eyewear brand faced in 2021. The company faced a lawsuit even after using automated scans that claimed their website was accessible. The remaining undetected barriers a tool could not pick up left them exposed. They had to settle the case and invest heavily in remediation afterwards.
You are playing with fire if you depend solely on automated tools. You are risking non-compliance along with the reputation, resources and future of your business.
The only way to ensure full WCAG and EAA compliance is by combining automated checks with expert-led manual audits.
Automated tools can be the first draft but you still need the human eye and expertise to perfect the final version for the following:
- Keyboard Navigation Testing: All interactive elements should have easy keyboard access.
- Screen Reader Testing: Use tools like NVDA or JAWS to experience your website as a visually impaired user would.
How Often Should You Run WCAG Tests?
If you have a small website with just a few pages, you might only need to test it every few months. But, if your website is big or you update it often then run tests more frequently.
It is best to run WCAG tests for websites with regular content updates or new features. For example, run accessibility tests when you add new pages, launch a redesign, or introduce new features. It will ensure that everything remains easy for everyone to use.
Partner with an Accessibility Expert
Now that you know tools only catch basic issues, you will need accessibility experts to rest assured. Certified professionals at ADACP can do a much more thorough job of ensuring compliance with the EU Accessibility Act, the ADA and more.
Our accessibility audits include more than just running a tool. We also look at user experience, keyboard navigation, and how screen readers interact with your site. Our experienced team usually does these audits using trusted assistive technologies.
Partner with an ADACP to make your site technically compliant with WCAG guidelines and usable for everyone.
Conclusion
Use WCAG compliance checkers and follow a structured audit work on accessibility issues proactively. However, keep in mind that accessibility is an ongoing commitment that requires vigilance. Ensure you maintain a website that serves everyone effectively.
If you need assistance with auditing your website or implementing accessibility best practices, then contact ADACP. We offer thorough WCAG testing and manual audit services to ensure compliance with the ADA and the EU accessibility act.
Businesses can no longer afford to over look the importance of web accessibility. Today, the WCAG test is more than a compliance checkbox. It has become a growing legal risk and a barrier to sustainable growth.
How would you focus on beating the competition or scaling your business when all your time, money, and energy are suddenly redirected toward fighting a wave of lawsuits?
The reality is stark.
Accessibility lawsuits are targeting businesses of all sizes. The popular communication platform for gamers and communities Discord faced a lawsuit in 2024. Visually impaired users argued that its desktop and mobile versions were incompatible with screen readers.
The plaintiffs claimed that the lack of proper labelling and navigation made the platform non-compliant with ADA. Discord has since agreed to make its platform more accessible with popular assistive technologies.
Digital accessibility is a legal necessity as well as a smart business decision. Be proactive about WCAG audits to protect your brand and keep your operations focused on growth and not damage control.
WCAG and its importance
W3Cendeavours to make web content more accessible to people with disabilities. So they provide Web Content Accessibility Guidelines which cover a wider ang e of recommendations. These standards make web content more perceivable, operable, understandable and robust.
Why use a WCAG compliance checker?
A WCAG compliance checker is a tool that scans your website to identify accessibility issues that may hinder users with disabilities. These tools provide insights into areas where your website may not meet WCAG standards. The results enable you to address issues proactively.
Step-by-step guide to using a WCAG compliance checker
Choose a Reliable WCAG Compliance Checker
Several tools are available to check the accessibility level of your website. Find one of the popular options offering a comprehensive analysis of your digital content. Choose one that gives detailed reports and recommendations.
You may also consider WAVE which provides visual feedback about the accessibility of your web content by injecting icons and indicators into your page. There are certain open-source accessibility testing engines available for websites and other HTML-based user interfaces.
Run an Automated Scan
Input your website's URL into the chosen tool to initiate a scan. The tool will analyze your website's code and content as per the WCAG criteria. It will identify issues of missing alt text, insufficient color contrast, and improper heading structures.
Review the Report
After the scan, the tool will generate a report highlighting areas where your website fails to meet WCAG standards. Pay close attention to:
Errors: Definite accessibility issues that need immediate attention.
Warnings: Potential issues that may require manual review.
Features: Elements that enhance accessibility.
Prioritize issues and implement fixes
Not all issues carry the same weight. Prioritize fixes based on their impact on user experience and legal compliance. For instance, images with no alt text on images are a high priority issue that directly affects screen reader users.
Work with your development team to address the identified issues. Ensure that changes align with WCAG guidelines and enhance overall user experience.
WCAG Testing for Mobile Apps
Mobile apps also need WCAG testing. Mobile devices have unique challenges that websites do not always face. Some issues that need attention include:
Touch Target Size: Buttons and links must be big enough for users to tap easily.
Screen Orientation: Make sure the app does well in portrait and landscape modes.
Color Contrast: Text and backgrounds need to have good contrast for users with visual impairments.
Some mobile-specific tools and checkers make testing easier. You may use the Google Lighthouse tool or Axe for mobile. These tools help you catch problems before your app goes live.
Automated WCAG Testing is not enough!
Conduct Manual Testing
Automated accessibility checkers may seem convenient, but they are not reliable. According to W3C’s own documentation, tools catch around 30% of actual issues. These tools can scan your website for code-level problems, but they completely miss issues of user experience, context, screen reader compatibility and keyboard navigation.
This false sense of security can lead businesses straight into legal trouble like Eye bobs, the popular eyewear brand faced in 2021. The company faced a lawsuit even after using automated scans that claimed their website was accessible. The remaining undetected barriers a tool could not pick up left them exposed. They had to settle the case and invest heavily in remediation afterwards.
You are playing with fire if you depend solely on automated tools. You are risking non-compliance along with the reputation, resources and future of your business.
The only way to ensure full WCAG and EAA compliance is by combining automated checks with expert-led manual audits.
Automated tools can be the first draft but you still need the human eye and expertise to perfect the final version for the following:
- Keyboard Navigation Testing: All interactive elements should have easy keyboard access.
- Screen Reader Testing: Use tools like NVDA or JAWS to experience your website as a visually impaired user would.
How Often Should You Run WCAG Tests?
If you have a small website with just a few pages, you might only need to test it every few months. But, if your website is big or you update it often then run tests more frequently.
It is best to run WCAG tests for websites with regular content updates or new features. For example, run accessibility tests when you add new pages, launch a redesign, or introduce new features. It will ensure that everything remains easy for everyone to use.
Partner with an Accessibility Expert
Now that you know tools only catch basic issues, you will need accessibility experts to rest assured. Certified professionals at ADACP can do a much more thorough job of ensuring compliance with the EU Accessibility Act, the ADA and more.
Our accessibility audits include more than just running a tool. We also look at user experience, keyboard navigation, and how screen readers interact with your site. Our experienced team usually does these audits using trusted assistive technologies.
Partner with an ADACP to make your site technically compliant with WCAG guidelines and usable for everyone.
Conclusion
Use WCAG compliance checkers and follow a structured audit work on accessibility issues proactively. However, keep in mind that accessibility is an ongoing commitment that requires vigilance. Ensure you maintain a website that serves everyone effectively.
If you need assistance with auditing your website or implementing accessibility best practices, then contact ADACP. We offer thorough WCAG testing and manual audit services to ensure compliance with the ADA and the EU accessibility act.
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