- Damini Sinha
Web accessibility is a critical aspect of designing and developing websites and web applications. It ensures that all users, regardless of disabilities or impairments, can access and interact with digital content effectively. In this blog, we will explore Accessibility Insights for Web, a powerful tool that assists developers and designers in creating more inclusive and accessible web experiences. Let's delve into the features and benefits of Accessibility Insights and understand how it can significantly impact the web development process.
What is Accessibility Insights for Web?
Accessibility Insights for Web is a set of tools provided by Microsoft to support developers in identifying and resolving web accessibility issues. The toolset comprises two main components: FastPass and Assessment.
- FastPass: FastPass is designed for quick and straightforward accessibility checks. It helps identify some common issues without requiring extensive technical knowledge. It provides a lightweight scan that developers can easily integrate into their workflow to catch potential accessibility problems early in the development process.
- Assessment: For more comprehensive testing and analysis, the Assessment component is available. This part of Accessibility Insights allows developers to perform detailed manual tests and validate accessibility against the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). It empowers developers to deep dive into the website's accessibility aspects and ensure a high level of compliance.
Key Features and Benefits
- Seamless Integration: Accessibility Insights for Web can be integrated into various web browsers, including Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge. The tooling is lightweight and easy to use, making it a convenient addition to the developer's toolkit.
- Early Issue Detection: By employing FastPass, developers can catch many accessibility issues during the early stages of development, reducing the need for extensive retroactive fixes. This approach not only saves time but also promotes a proactive accessibility mindset in the development team.
- WCAG Compliance: The Assessment component is designed to evaluate web applications against the internationally recognized WCAG standards, providing developers with a comprehensive analysis of their website's accessibility level.
- Detailed Reports: Accessibility Insights for Web generates detailed reports that include a breakdown of accessibility issues, their impact, and suggested fixes. These reports are invaluable resources that help developers prioritize and address the most critical problems efficiently.
- Education and Awareness: Beyond just providing reports and checks, Accessibility Insights for Web offers useful resources and guidance on accessibility best practices. It fosters education and raises awareness among developers about the importance of creating universally accessible digital content.
How to use Accessibility Insights
Using Accessibility Insights for Web is a straightforward process. The tool is designed to help developers, testers, and designers identify and address web accessibility issues efficiently. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use Accessibility Insights for Web:
Step 1: Install the Browser Extension
Accessibility Insights for Web is available as a browser extension for Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge. Start by installing the extension for the browser you prefer to use for web development and testing.
Step 2: Open the Web Page to be Tested
Once the extension is installed, open the web page or application that you want to test for accessibility. It can be a page you're currently developing or an existing site you want to evaluate.
Step 3: Launch Accessibility Insights
Click on the Accessibility Insights icon in your browser's toolbar to launch the tool. The extension will open a panel with options for running accessibility checks.
Step 4: Choose a Test Mode
Accessibility Insights for Web offers two test modes: FastPass and Assessment. Select the appropriate mode based on your testing requirements:
- FastPass: This mode provides a quick and lightweight scan for common accessibility issues. It's useful for early-stage testing and catching obvious problems.
- Assessment: For a more comprehensive evaluation, choose the Assessment mode. This mode guides you through manual testing and validation against the WCAG guidelines.
Step 5: Run Tests
Depending on the test mode you selected, the tool will prompt you to follow different steps:
a. FastPass: The tool will automatically run a series of tests on the page, and the results will be displayed in the panel. You'll get a summary of the issues found, categorized by severity.
b. Assessment: The tool will guide you through a series of manual tests. It will ask you to interact with elements on the page and evaluate specific accessibility aspects. As you complete the tests, the results will be recorded in the panel.
Step 6: Review Results and Generate Reports
After completing the tests, review the results and examine the accessibility issues identified by the tool. Accessibility Insights provides detailed information about each issue, its impact, and suggested fixes.
FastPass example
Step 7: Prioritize and Fix Issues
Once you have a clear understanding of the accessibility issues, prioritize them based on their severity and potential impact on users. Work with your development team to implement the necessary fixes and improvements.
Step 8: Re-Test and Validate
After making the necessary changes, re-run the accessibility tests to ensure that the issues have been successfully addressed. Continuously validate your website's accessibility to maintain a high standard of inclusivity.
Review and example given to fix the issue
AdHocs Tools Feature
These tools provide more detailed information about individual page elements and help ensure compliance with accessibility standards. Please note that the toolset might have evolved or expanded beyond my last update. Here are some of the ad hoc tools available:
- Color Contrast: The Color Contrast tool allows users to check the color contrast of specific page elements. It helps ensure that the text and graphics on the web page have sufficient contrast, making content readable for all users, including those with visual impairments.
Color contrast check example
- Landmarks: The Landmarks tool identifies the landmarks and regions on the web page. Landmarks are structural elements such as headers, footers, sidebars, and main content areas. Properly defined landmarks aid in navigation for users who rely on screen readers or other assistive technologies.
About Landmark
- Headings: This tool helps users inspect and evaluate the heading structure of the web page. Clear and well-structured headings assist users in understanding the content hierarchy, making it easier to navigate through the page's information.
Heading example using Accessibility Insights
- Images: The Images tool allows users to review the accessibility attributes of images on the web page, such as alt text. It helps ensure that images are appropriately labeled, providing alternative text descriptions for users who cannot view them visually.
- Tab Stops: The Tab Stops tool helps identify and visualize the keyboard navigation flow on the web page. It ensures that all interactive elements can be accessed using the keyboard, which is vital for users who cannot use a mouse.
Tab Accessibility check example
Landmark Roles: This tool displays the roles of various landmarks on the web page. It assists in verifying that the landmarks are appropriately labeled to convey their purpose to assistive technologies.
Axe Linter: The Axe Linter tool, powered by the Axe accessibility engine, performs an automated analysis of the web page. It detects and reports various accessibility issues and provides guidance on how to resolve them.
Accessibility Tree: The Accessibility Tree tool shows the accessibility tree of the web page. The accessibility tree represents how the page's elements are exposed to assistive technologies, allowing developers to review the hierarchy and attributes of these elements.
Remember that the tool's features and options might change or expand over time, so it's essential to check the official Accessibility Insights for Web documentation or the latest version's release notes to stay up-to-date with the available ad hoc tools.
Aria Label check example
Conclusion
Accessibility Insights for Web is a valuable tool that empowers web developers and designers to build more inclusive and accessible digital experiences. By integrating accessibility testing into the development workflow, teams can identify and resolve issues early on, ensuring that their websites are welcoming to all users, regardless of their abilities. Remember to keep the tool updated and leverage the educational resources provided to stay informed about best practices for web accessibility.