Tech-Driven Digital Inclusion Streamlines Accessibility

With the evolution of customized solutions, we’re now able to easily prioritize accessibility so that everyone at OIT can fully contribute. But how do we choose the right applications for auditing, testing, and remediating accessibility issues? 

Section 508 Manager Aaron Allen, in OIT DEI Volume III: Accessibility, advocates investigating a variety of programs. “Exploring multiple tools and what they can and cannot do is more beneficial than relying on just one,” Allen explains. “A suite of tools is essential for addressing the diverse accessibility challenges we face.”

Here’s a rundown of solutions to explore from Volume III’s “Tech-Driven Inclusion:”

Axe Accessibility (Deque Systems):

• Identifies accessibility issues in web applications and suggests solutions
• Available as a browser extension and JavaScript library

WAVE (Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool)

• Presents visual representation of accessibility issues on each webpage it evaluates within the browser
• Available as a browser extension or web-based service

Google Lighthouse:

• Audits webpages for color contrast, ARIA attributes (Accessible Rich Internet Applications, a set of attributes you can add to HTML elements to increase their accessibility), names, labeling, and more
• Issues an overall accessibility score
• Built into Chrome DevTools

Level Access Platform:

• Provides accessibility solutions through a unified software platform
• Delivers services such as expert support, training, automated scans, manual testing, legal guidance, and compliance tools

JAWS Inspect

• Generates a transcript of screen reader output to diagnose issues at the component and element level
• Illustrates what JAWS users experience on a website

PA11Y

• Developed as an open-source interface tool that automates website accessibility testing
• Tests against individual or groups of webpages and reports any issues found

Powermapper (Sortsite)

• Tests web links, HTML compliance, and more and provides detailed reports of compliance with Section 508 and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
• Useful for one-off webpage testing
• Available as a desktop application or web service

Site Improve Accessibility Checker

• Generates an easy-to-read report of common accessibility issues within a webpage and suggests remediations
• Available as a browser extension

Accessibility Insights (Microsoft)

• Offers a range of tools, including automated checks and a guided manual testing process
• Available as a Windows application or browser extension

Discover more information and links to these tools in Volume III, where you’ll find insight and practical approaches to accessibility from OIT staff.