Testing websites for accessibility with QF-Test

Technical implementation, integration and testing of web accessibility

Accessibility is an essential part of modern software development and web applications. Software testers and developers are faced with the task of testing websites for accessibility. Manual tests are extremely time-consuming. Automated accessibility tests or A11y tests can save a massive amount of time by efficiently identifying common problems, even during the software development phase.

Ensuring accessibility begins as early as the design process. By considering accessibility aspects early on, developers and designers can ensure that digital products are designed inclusively right from the start. This includes the selection of suitable color schemes, the clear structuring of content and the intuitive placement of buttons.

A central component of accessible web development is the clean and semantically correct structuring of the source code. This enables assistive technologies such as screen readers to correctly interpret and display the content of a website. Among other things, this includes the correct use of HTML elements and ARIA roles. QF-Test supports developers in checking the source code for accessibility aspects by performing automated tests in accordance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1.

The accessibility testing tool QF-Test also offers the option of categorizing test results. Errors and warnings are systematically recorded and presented in interactive reports that contain information on how to resolve them. This facilitates the prioritization of measures and supports software development teams in continuously improving the accessibility of their web applications.

Which guidelines are relevant for accessibility testing?

To ensure that systems and applications can also be used by people with disabilities, there are internationally recognised standards and guidelines. These define standards and criteria that influence test processes and development decisions. Below you will find the most important standards and their focal points.

• Web Content Accessibility Guidelines - WCAG
  WCAG form the basis for accessible web content worldwide. They are divided into three conformance levels: A, AA and AAA, with AA being the standard for many applications. The guidelines provide detailed specifications on how content can be made accessible for people with different disabilities.
• European standard EN 301 549
  This standard is particularly important for Europe. It defines requirements for the accessibility of information and communication technologies (ICT) and is based directly on the WCAG. EN 301 549 is particularly mandatory for public organisations in the EU. It comprises the four principles of perceptibility, usability, comprehensibility and robustness.
• Directive (EU) 2016/2102 - web accessibility
  In order to create a clear framework for web accessibility within the European Union (EU), the European Parliament and the Council of the EU adopted Directive 2016/2102 "on the accessibility of the websites and mobile applications of public sector bodies" in 2016. The directive attempts to make the web and app representation of public services within the EU more accessible and to harmonise the varying standards within the member states. It is the first directive to include web accessibility as a key issue.
• Barrierefreie-Informationstechnik-Verordnung - BITV 2.0
  In Germany, the BITV 2.0 implements the WCAG guidelines at national level. It stipulates that websites and mobile applications of public bodies must be accessible and serves as a benchmark for the implementation of EU Directive 2016/2102.
• EAA - European Accessibility Act
  The most important difference to EU Directive 2016/2102 is the scope of the stakeholders required by this law to comply with accessibility regulations: In the EAA, this applies not only to public authorities, but also to companies. Companies within the EU must fulfil the measures required by the EAA by the end of June 2025.
• BFSG - Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz
  The BFSG defines the "accessibility requirements for products and services" within Germany, as well as the sectors and companies affected.
• ISO 9241-171
  The international standard ISO 9241-171 provides specific recommendations for the design of accessible interactive systems. It is particularly interesting for software developers and testers who want to develop ergonomic and accessible user interfaces.

Why these standards are important for software testers

Compliance with these guidelines is not only a legal obligation for many organisations, but also a contribution to inclusive design. Software testers and developers can use these standards to ensure that their applications meet the needs of all users.

Procedures for testing accessibility in software

Testing accessibility is becoming an essential part of modern software development. Manual and automated testing procedures, which include both manual and automated test steps, are used. Both approaches have their specific strengths and challenges and play an important role in the testing process.

Manual tests

Manual tests are essential to comprehensively assess the accessibility of software. They enable a human assessment of the structure, content and usability that automated testing tools alone cannot provide.

Advantages and benefits

Manual tests allow usability and operability to be assessed from the perspective of affected persons. With the help of tools such as screen readers, magnification software or keyboard navigation, testers can check the actual usability of the software. They also identify more subtle problems that automated testing tools may overlook, such as the logical structure of content or the comprehensibility of instructions. Manual tests are particularly helpful when evaluating dynamic content and complex user interfaces that are difficult to analyse with automated test steps.

Challenges and limitations

Manual testing requires a high level of experience and expertise - a deep understanding of the needs of people with disabilities and the ability to assess the software from their perspective. The process can be time-consuming, require significant human resources and is prone to subjective judgement. The results can therefore vary depending on the tester, which can affect the consistency of the test. It is also difficult to cover all aspects of accessibility using purely manual methods. The use of screen readers or keyboard navigation is necessary to check accessibility for users with visual or mobility impairments, but they are essential to evaluate the software from the perspective of real users and ensure that accessibility is not only technical but also practical.

Automated accessibility testing

Automated tests complement manual procedures and are an important part of accessibility testing. They enable fast, scalable and repeatable analysis of technical aspects of the software.

Advantages and benefits

Accessibilty testing automation is ideal for identifying technical errors such as missing alt texts, faulty ARIA roles or insufficient colour contrasts. With a suitable accessibility testing tool like QF-Test, large amounts of data can be analysed in a short time and enable scalable testing of large software projects. Accessibility testing automation steps are also ideal for continuously checking accessibility in the development process and ensuring that new changes do not violate existing standards and that potential problems are recognised at an early stage. They deliver reproducible results and minimise subjective influences.

Increase efficiency through automated testing procedures

The combination of manual and automated test steps ensures a holistic accessibility check. While manual testing is essential to evaluate the actual user experience and analyse complex interactions, the key to efficiency lies in automation.

Automated accessibility testing tools make it possible to integrate accessibility checks quickly, scalably and continuously into the development process. They relieve test teams of recurring test steps and ensure that technical requirements are systematically monitored.

Especially in agile projects, where software changes in short cycles, automated checks are an indispensable tool for ensuring quality in the long term. Only through their targeted use can resources be optimally utilised and accessibility efficiently integrated into software development.

Advantages of QF-Test for accessibility testing

• Automated WCAG tests: QF-Test supports tests according to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 and checks common problems such as missing alternative texts, color contrasts and keyboard operability.
• Integrated accessibility checks: QF-Test enables detailed accessibility analysis in combination with functional test automation.
• Support for ARIA attributes: QF-Test checks ARIA roles and attributes to ensure they are implemented correctly.
• Easy integration into existing test workflows: With QF-Test, accessibility testing can be seamlessly integrated into existing CI/CD pipelines.
• Detailed reports: Testers receive precise evaluations with advice on how to resolve any problems found.
• Visual interface: Because QF-Test is a low-code tool, you don't need programming skills to set up robust, automated analyses with QF-Test.

QF-Test provides software development and testing teams with a reliable, powerful tool for accessibility testing.

Conclusion: Why QF-Test is the best choice

QF-Test offers a powerful and easy-to-integrate solution for accessibility testing. With the accessibility testing tool QF-Test, software testers and developers can efficiently perform automated accessibility testing and ensure that their websites comply with current standards.

Use QF-Test and make your website or web application accessible for all!