Checkers (Accessibility Testing Tools)

Accessibility validators and tools allow web designers to test their pages for accessibility barriers and, in some cases, provide tools for eliminating these barriers. The most widely used tools include:

  • WAVE – Similar in function to Bobby, but is Section 508 compliant. Performs an analysis of tables to ensure that table elements are logically presented. Developed by the Pennsylvania’s Initiative on Assistive Technology.
  • UsableNet – UsableNet provides a number of software tools that allow web designers to automate website accessibility and usability testing, repair and delivery.
  • Home Page Reader – can speak text, frames, image and text links, alternate text for images and image maps, form elements including JavaScript, graphics descriptions, text in column format, and data input fields. Free trial available from IBM.
  • access.adobe.com – This site is a valuable resource for web designers who use Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) files. It includes information on accessibility issues regarding Adobe Acrobat and an online conversion tools to convert PDF files to HTML or plan text.
  • CSS Validation Service – Although not directly related to accessibility validation, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) should also be validated. Developed in conjunction with the World Wide Web Consortium.

SortSite

Colleges should use this tool to test the college’s entire web site. SortSite tests every web page on a site for accessibility as well as other web standards. TCSG purchased this product and ran tests on all 22 college websites in February 2017. Results of the test were provided to each college. Colleges may contact Gabe Mathis at gmathis@tcsg.edu to request additional copies of the February 2017 report or to re-run the test for a more current compliance report. Colleges may refer to SortSite’s website to learn more about the accessibility checker and/or test individual web pages.

WebAIM

Colleges may use this tool to test single HTML web pages one page at a time.

Colour Contrast Analyzer

College may use this tool to test color contrast and for color blindness. The WCAG AA minimum contrast ratio is 4.5:1 for small font and 3:1 for large font.  With this tool you simply select the foreground and background colors, and it automatically generates the contrast ratio. Download this free executable file and use it to test contrast of web pages, branding colors, presentations and publications.

PAVE PDF Accessibility Tool and Checker

PAVE is a free PDF accessibility checker. PAVE (PDF Accessibility Validation Engine) checks a PDF for accessibility and automatically corrects the document for you. PAVE offers colleges a no-cost alternative to Adobe Pro for making accessible PDFs. Your accessible document is available for download from the PAVE website for three weeks before it is deleted.

Adobe

This Adobe Accessibility site is a valuable resource for web designers who use Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) files.  It includes information on accessibility issues regarding Adobe Acrobat and an online conversion tools to convert PDF files to HTML or plan text.

Checklists

Checklists may be used to help assess a document’s conformance to federal accessibility requirements.  The following checklists provide helpful tips for making documents and web pages more accessible.  Checklists, however are rarely exhaustive.  More robust assessment is needed to fully evaluate accessibility.  Staff should refer to the W3C WCAG 2.0 website as the definitive source for accessibility compliance questions.