Our Accessibility Process
Building and maintaining an accessible website isn’t about a single step or tool. It is an ongoing process that touches all aspects of our work, and all areas of a website. The process is a combination of automated tools, manual testing and training.
Automated Testing
One of the primary tools we rely on is testing web pages against the most current WCAG standards. Using tools such as the aXE plugin, Google Lighthouse, and WAVE, along with site auditing tools from software such as DubBot, Site Improve, or Acquia Optimize, we can check each page for warning or violations.
User Training and Editor Tools
While design and code underpin accessibility, so much of accessibility compliance relates to content, and the work of site editors – do videos have good captioning, do images have helpful “alt text,” is content properly structured, are links descriptive, etc.
Editor training in accessibility best practices is one way of addressing these concerns, and it’s something included in our training during site builds and documentation.
Enhanced tools and interfaces is another way we work to help editors manage content. Modules such as Editora11y help monitor content as it is input or edited, checking for accessibility compliance.
Newer AI-powered tools can be integrated into editor tools, allowing users to use AI and image recognition to generate accurate “alt text” on images automatically. Third party tools such as Userway can also be used to evaluate pages for accessibility as your editors work on the site.
Manual Testing
It is critical to also conduct manual testing of web pages as well. Navigating a site only via keyboard, for example, and ensuring users don’t require a mouse or touchpad to get where they need to go. Listening to the site via voiceover tools to make sure the content and navigation makes sense for non-sighted users. Reading the content to make sure it is understandable and at a proper reading level for your audience. Evaluating the design to make sure type is legible, links are easy to select, and animations are unintrusive (and optional).
