Facts about Effectiveness of Automated Accessibility Tools

The facts are out there! The UK Government GDS Accessibility Team conducted an audit of automated accessibility testing tools and if you haven’t read it — you must!

I am just going to call out 2 staggering statistics from the audit:

• Automated tools identified between 17% to 37% of the accessibility barriers.
• Of the 143 barriers we created, a total of 42 were missed by all of the tools

So the question is can you rely on automated tools alone! The answer is quite obvious!

Automated Testing Tools — A part of the toolkit

At BarrierBreak, since our inception, we have always focused on manual testing. Automated testing tools assist accessibility testers to identify some of the challenges. But even there often there has to be manual verification.

A simple example everyone gives is image descriptions for images. It is easy to detect if an alt attribute is provided for an image, but it needs manual intervention to see whether the image description is meaningful.

We use between 3 to 5 tools, plugins, bookmarklets to help us evaluate accessibility! Automated Accessibility Testing Tools have to be a part of the toolkit used but can’t be the only one!

Let’s bring in the Who — People into Accessibility Testing

At BarrierBreak, our accessibility experts are key to our process. They are the people who test, analyze, validate and recommend the solutions.

We have always been focused on including people with disabilities as a part of our process. They are not only doing user testing! They are a part of the team that conducts the accessibility evaluation!

Native assistive technology testers should be a part of the solution since at the end of the day accessibility is about ensuring people with disabilities get access to digital solutions!

When I founded BarrierBreak, I was clear that I saw this gap in the industry that people with disabilities weren’t always a part of the solution!

When we think of the People First Approach, it is about our accessibility experts — who bring value to the product or solution. It is their inputs that are critical. They are the people that analyze the code, they are the people that recommend the solution!

So time to strike the balance between automated testing and manual accessibility testing and above all remember it is the people who are at the heart of the process.

Reach out to the team at BarrierBreak, to see how we can support you in the People First Approach

The post Automated and Manual Accessibility Testing appeared first on Leader in Offshore Accessibility Testing | Section 508 Compliance | WCAG Conformance | BarrierBreak.

As the UK government focuses on ensuring people with disabilities can access digital products, a critical part of that is conducting accessibility testings and audits.

The UK government focuses on providing barrier-free access, fair treatment, and promotes a fair and more equal society through the Equality Act 2010, ISO 30071-1, and the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.

This requires all the state, regional, local authorities and public sector bodies to ensure digital products are accessible by making them ‘perceivable, operable, understandable and robust’.

To help authorities meet accessibility requirements, the DOS5 agreement under Lot 1 – Digital Outcomes helps the UK public sector organisations buy, design, build and provide bespoke digital outcomes including accessibility services.

Under the arrangement BarrierBreak services are available on DOS5 under Lot 1: Digital Outcomes and can deliver the following services:

• Accessibility Testing and Auditing
• User experience and design
• User Research

Shilpi Kapoor, Managing Director, BarrierBreak said, “BarrierBreak is an offshore leader in digital accessibility. With our people-first approach wherein accessibility experts including people with disabilities are an integral part of our process, we look forward to support different authorities in the UK to meet and go beyond their accessibility  support.

Shashank Kapur, Director of Strategy & Business Development, BarrierBreak said, “We are excited to be on the DOS5 platform and offer our services to the public sector organizations in UK. Our team of accessibility experts would be proud to work with organizations to analyze, test, and recommend the accessibility solutions that helps public sector organizations meet the accessibility requirements as per the Accessibility regulations 2018. “

To procure our services through the DOS5 Framework: Buying through the Digital Outcomes and Specialists framework

Know more about DOS on the Digital Marketplace.

Connect with us: sales@barrierbreak.com

The post BarrierBreak is a trusted vendor for Accessibility Testing and Auditing on the Digital Outcomes and Specialists 5 (DOS5) framework appeared first on Leader in Offshore Accessibility Testing | Section 508 Compliance | WCAG Conformance | BarrierBreak.

But, is it advisable?

The question that needs to be asked is, can a contractor who has built a building, audit their own work, or should it be audited by an independent?

I think the answer is obvious! You & I would trust an audit conducted by independent authority more than one which is self-audited.  

BarrierBreak is a leader in offshore accessibility testing and supports customers globally to meet their accessibility compliance.

Let’s dive deeper into “Why” Independent Accessibility Testing.

Ensure vendor fulfils Contractual Obligations

As an organization focusing on accessibility, you have in your contract with the development company specified that the solution meets Web Content Accessibility Guideline (WCAG) 2.1 – Level AA.
Your obligation doesn’t stop there. It is critical to conducting an independent accessibility test ensures that the vendor delivers on their obligation and allows you to get a product as per your specifications.

At BarrierBreak, we work with you to setup timely accessibility checks so that when the final product is delivered, it doesn’t lead to extra effort, delayed timelines and increased cost.

Unbiased Reporting

Performing an Accessibility Audit will allow you to identify gaps that can be addressed by the Developers prior to you accepting the project. This will also increase the accountability on the path of the development vendor to meet the accessibility standards.

We work with you to identify accessibility challenges and solutions that will allow people with disabilities to have equal access.

Pushing the envelope on implementing Accessibility

We often hear organizations say, an interaction is too complex and can’t be made accessible. This is one myth that we really need to change.

Everything can be made accessible. I know you might be saying, no that’s not what we have heard. But believe me, it can!  So, it would be good to challenge the development team to implement accessibility. 

Our team works with your development teams to provide innovative solutions to make even the most complex interactions accessible.

Provides Credibility & Enhances Customer Confidence

At the time of procurement, customers refer to Voluntary Product Accessibility Templates (VPAT). It is a good practice to describe your process to meet accessibility compliance and how you have conducted the testing.

Having a third-party expert organization lends to the credibility of the product.

Reduce Risk

Ensuring that your solution has been audited and meets compliance helps reduce the risk for customers. Accessibility is about ensuring compliance too. Ensuring that your product or solution has been vetted by accessibility experts who include people with disabilities can give you the advantage over your competition.

We understand the business case behind accessibility.

Specialization in Accessibility

You have the choice of working with a generalist or a specialist. Accessibility goes beyond a checklist and it is critical to choose a partner who understand Accessibility. With over 15+ years of experience and being the leaders in Accessibility in India, BarrierBreak has Accessibility is in our DNA. Our own team comprises of approx. 70% people with disabilities.

 So, it’s time to think about how you would like to approach accessibility at your organization. Connect today for a 1 hour tête-à-tête focused discussion on accessibility.

The post The ‘Why’ of having an Independent Accessibility Testing vendor? – Offshore Accessibility appeared first on Leader in Offshore Accessibility Testing | Section 508 Compliance | WCAG Conformance | BarrierBreak.