The University of Chicago

Testing for Web Accessibility

Regularly testing your websites for accessibility is important in ensuring that all people—including those with disabilities—can navigate, perceive, and interact with your content.

Automated testing

Anyone can test a website for accessibility using an automated evaluation tool, which is a great place to start. These tools don’t require any technical knowledge and can identify approximately 40% of accessibility issues.

Manual testing

Approximately 60% of digital accessibility issues can only be found by conducting manual testing using a keyboard and screen reader and applying human judgment. While some manual testing requires expertise in digital accessibility principles and web development, anyone can conduct a basic manual accessibility assessment.

The CDA provides in-depth manual accessibility assessment services upon request. Contact Us for more information.

Screen reader testing

As part of your manual testing, use your computer’s built-in screen reader to experience your website the way someone who is blind or has low vision might. It can take some practice to get comfortable using a screen reader, so start by learning a few basic keyboard shortcuts and adjusting settings like voice type, speaking speed, and volume. Once you’re familiar with the controls, try navigating your site with just the keyboard and listen to how information is announced — this helps identify issues that might make your content harder to use for people who rely on screen readers to experience the web.

The Center for Digital Accessibility (CDA) staff provides primary support for screen reader testing. We also contract with Access Living, a Chicago-based company, to provide testing by people with disabilities. If you need screen reader training, please Contact Us.

Next steps

After conducting automated and manual web accessibility testing, consider whether you should retire, remediate, or replace your website content.