Manual inspection
Manual accessibility tests are essential to check aspects that automated tools cannot or only inadequately cover. They focus on usability, comprehensibility, structure, and the actual user experience.
Typical test areas:
| Area | Test goal |
|---|---|
| Keyboard operation | Navigation without mouse, logical tab order, visible focus |
| Focus control | Focus jumps are understandable, no focus loss |
| Contrast and visual design | Text-background contrast, readability, visual clarity |
| Forms | Correct labels, error communication, accessibility |
| Semantic structure | Logical heading hierarchy, landmark usage, navigation |
| Comprehensibility of content | Clear language, consistent terms, structured content |
| Screenreader compatibility | Meaningful announcements, correct structure and interactions |
Tools for support:
- Browser developer tools
- Extensions like axe DevTools, WAVE, Accessibility Insights
- Contrast checker like the Color Contrast Analyzer
- Screen readers like NVDA, VoiceOver, TalkBack
- Text analysis tools
Recommended procedure:
- Combination of keyboard and screen reader tests
- Use of project-specific checklists
- Documentation and communication of results
- Optional: Involvement of affected persons for realistic tests
Note: Detailed instructions for manual testing can be found in the following chapters:
- 3.2.1: Conducting targeted manual tests
- 3.2.2: Testing with screen reader