7COM1080 AUTOMATION OF WEB ACCESSIBILITY TESTING ASSIGNMENT SAMPLE
Module code and Title: 7COM1080 AUTOMATION OF WEB ACCESSIBILITY TESTING ASSIGNMENT SAMPLE
Introduction
This study highlights the importance of accessibility testing for software or the web, which is a type of testing that, ensures the application is usable for as many users as possible. It helps expedite the release cycle to identify any issues as early as possible. Web accessibility testing is done to make the app content accessible for disabled users from various types such as vision and hearing.
Automated web accessibility testing is an essential aspect of web development that ensures user satisfaction and meets the criteria of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Further, it helps in avoiding business losses and helps in complying with WCAG legislation. This study is going to portray details regarding automated accessibility testing.
Aspects of web accessibility testing
Importance of automated accessibility testing
Figure 1: Importance of Automation in accessibility testing (Source: Eler et al. 2018)
According to Eler et al. (2018), it is necessary for web developers to develop a web that meets the requirements of every user. As per reports, the USA has set some guidelines for the web that falls under Section 508 to meet the requirement of every user including disabled persons however, failing to which can result in a fine of $85,000-$155,000. Automated accessibility testing for the web is important as World Bank estimates that there are more than 14% of people are disabled in some aspects. Further, it helps in reducing the risk of defects in accessibility while maintaining all the lawsuits.
Ways to make accessibility testing of web automated.
As stated by Alajarmeh, (2022), Web designers need to consider components regarding user interface while testing a new web. By leveraging accessibility, testing tools with the help of several platforms such as Andriod or HTML can make the testing automated and reduce human intervention. With the help of generic testing libraries, an automated regression test is conducted to help reduce manual testing. However, it is necessary for web designers to identify the right platform for the automation of the web such as Perfecto.
Tools used to make the accessibility testing automated.
Figure 2: Components of web testing accessibility (Source: Alshayban et al. 2020)
Perfecto is one of the tools that can make the accessibility testing for a web automated. An important tool provides the luxury of advanced automation to web designers and helps with full toolchain integration. However, it is necessary for web designers to align tools such as Perfecto to the test cycle and sync results within one place. As per the view of Alshayban et al. (2020), the tools also help in identifying accessibility defects early that reduces the costs to fix the defect considerably. With the help of shift left testing, Perfecto ensures that all the results are within one place to detect accessibility-related issues with ease.
Challenges of automated web accessibility testing
Automated accessibility testing for some web is still not fully effective for fully blind users. Further, automated testing for accessibility might not be fully effective for users with cognitive disabilities as well and might not understand the content of the application.
As per the opinion of Giraud et al. (2018), Web designers also face challenges while testing the navigation of the web, especially for users with physical disabilities. Further, testing all the labels to ensure it is accessible to every user can consume a huge amount of time during the development phase.
Key arguments
Automated accessibility of the web might not be effective for fully blind users however, utilising screen readers can be very effective for users with a vision disability to get access to all the information from the web. Similarly, using speech recognition tools can be very effective for users with physical disabilities to get access to all the information.
Automated web accessibility testing has bought a sense of relief for users with some sort of disabilities, and it is evident from the statistics that 72% of disabled users are accessing desktops or laptops due to the automated testing facilities of the web (Alajarmeh, 2022). Several e-commerce and shopping sites have decreased accessibility errors from 90.5% to 75.2% within in a year.
The development of automation of web accessibility testing has ensured that more users with disabilities get access to the web without any issues. However, still, 23% of disabled people across the world do not go online due to accessibility-related issues (Pew Research, 2022). Automation in web testing is very cost-effective, consumes less amount of time, and reduces manual error to a certain extent.
However, to make the web accessible to every disabled user, web designers are required to check and test the accessibility of the web manually to ensure it is accessible to every disabled user. As per the view of Lazar (2022), a web has to meet the Level A criteria which is a minimum level of accessibility needs before it is launched however, Level AA is the recommended level for the web to achieve.
Findings and conclusion
Findings
It is evident from the study that automated accessibility testing is a necessity for the web as it helps in auditing several documents and web pages simultaneously and thus, the time consumed for accessibility testing is reduced considerably compared to manual accessibility testing. As opined by Ismailova and Inal (2018), it also provides the facility of compliance checks for accessibility across the content to prevent any issues regarding accessibility.
Automation in web accessibility helps in identifying key areas that do not meet the criteria of WCAG guidelines. The web that is developed after testing through automation contains several modification options that can be utilised according to the requirements of users. A user with a vision issue can adjust font size according to their vision and get access to all the contents of the web.
Conclusion
Conclusively, this study highlights the details regarding automation in accessibility testing of the web and its importance for users with some sort of disability. It is an important aspect that web developers are considering to help disabled user to get access to information with the help of the Internet. However, accessibility testing through automation might not be effective in all cases. It requires special accessibility knowledge of web designers to make the web more effective for users. It is also necessary for web designers to track accessibility compliance regularly to ensure the web is ready to operate fully.
Recommendations
Automation of web accessibility testing must consist of upgraded specifications:
A web is required to have screen reader software to help users with a vision disability to get access to all the necessary information from the web. Speech recognition software helps users with hearing disabilities get the actual information that they are looking for. According to Rodriguez et al. (2019), special keyboards for users with motor impairments to get access to the content of web. Further, with the inclusion of a screen magnification feature, users with partial vision disabilities can access that connects by enlarging the display according to their requirements.
Utilise Quality Logic for automation testing:
Quality Logic is a tool that provides both automated and manual testing facilities simultaneously to achieve WCAG certification. According to Lazar (2022), with the help of Quality Logic, web designers can identify issues regarding structure and bugs. Further, it provides a report that contains a summary of errors that is detected after the conclusion of the testing phase.
Reference
Alajarmeh, N., 2022. Evaluating the accessibility of public health websites: an exploratory cross-country study. Universal access in the information society, 21(3), pp.771-789. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10209-020-00788-7
Alshayban, A., Ahmed, I. and Malek, S., 2020, October. Accessibility issues in android apps: state of affairs, sentiments, and ways forward. In 2020 IEEE/ACM 42nd International Conference on Software Engineering (ICSE) (pp. 1323-1334). IEEE. DOI: 10.5815/ijitcs.2020.04.05
Eler, M.M., Rojas, J.M., Ge, Y. and Fraser, G., 2018, April. Automated accessibility testing of mobile apps. In 2018 IEEE 11th International Conference on Software Testing, Verification and Validation (ICST) (pp. 116-126). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICST.2018.00021
Giraud, S., Thérouanne, P. and Steiner, D.D., 2018. Web accessibility: Filtering redundant and irrelevant information improves website usability for blind users. International Journal of Human-Computer Studies, 111, pp.23-35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhcs.2017.10.011
Ismailova, R. and Inal, Y., 2018. Accessibility evaluation of top university websites: a comparative study of Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkey. Universal Access in the Information Society, 17(2), pp.437-445. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10209-016-0490-z
Lazar, J., 2022. Managing digital accessibility at universities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Universal Access in the Information Society, 21(3), pp.749-765. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10209-021-00792-5
Rodriguez, M., Piattini, M. and Ebert, C., 2019. Software verification and validation technologies and tools. IEEE Software, 36(2), pp.13-24. https://doi.org/10.1109/MS.2018.2883354
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