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  • How to Conduct Accessibility User Testing

    You can pass every automated test and still fail your users. That’s the uncomfortable truth behind many accessibility initiatives. True accessibility goes far beyond technical compliance—it’s about how people actually experience your product. Accessibility user testing isn’t a last-minute box to check; it’s a powerful way to build digital experiences that work for everyone.

    In this article, we’ll walk you through how to conduct accessibility user testing in a way that’s respectful, strategic, and truly impactful. Whether you’re a UX professional, web developer, or product manager, you’ll leave with clear, practical guidance to take your testing process from good intentions to real results.

    What Automated and Manual Testing Miss

    Accessibility tools like Google Lighthouse and WAVE are fantastic for catching code-level issues—missing alt text, low contrast, missing labels. But that’s just the surface. These tools don’t understand user intent. They can’t tell if your focus order makes sense, or if a screen reader user can actually make sense of your modal flow.

    Manual testing helps fill some of those gaps. Keyboard-only navigation, zoom testing, and screen reader simulations can uncover a lot—especially when done by experienced testers. But even this falls short of the lived experience.

    Take a modal dialog as an example. You might trap focus correctly, label everything with ARIA, and pass every automated check. But in practice? A screen reader user may still struggle because the modal doesn’t announce in the expected order or re-focus correctly on close. That’s the kind of thing only accessibility user testing with real people can reveal.

    Why User Testing with People with Disabilities Is the Game-Changer

    No simulation can match the perspective of someone who uses assistive tech every day. People who rely on screen readers, switch devices, or voice navigation uncover friction and failure points that even seasoned accessibility professionals can overlook.

    Here’s the shift: stop thinking of users with disabilities as edge cases. They’re not. They’re part of your audience—your customers, students, patients, or users. Designing for them improves your product for everyone.

    Accessibility user testing isn’t just about catching bugs. It’s a critical feedback loop that improves usability, product-market fit, and even innovation. When you integrate it early and often, you don’t just “fix accessibility”—you build better experiences from the ground up.

    Planning Your Accessibility User Testing Program

    Define Clear Objectives

    Start with real-world tasks. Instead of running a general audit, design your tests around meaningful user journeys:

    • Is it possible for a blind user to complete a purchase from start to finish?
    • Someone with low dexterity—can they successfully submit your job application form?
    • And what about users with cognitive differences—can they easily locate your support content?

    Clear, task-based goals help you focus your sessions and gather actionable insights.

    Build a Representative Participant Pool

    Many teams fall into the trap of testing only with blind screen reader users. That’s important—but not enough.

    To make your testing inclusive:

    • Include participants with motor impairments, cognitive disabilities, low vision, and voice input users.
    • Recruit from diverse sources and advocacy organizations.
    • Pay your testers. Always. Accessibility user testing is specialized work and should never rely on free labor. Follow ethical compensation practices and provide flexible scheduling and support.

    Pre-Test Logistics and Respectful Setup

    Before the session, send a tech-check checklist to participants. This might include browser compatibility, assistive tech setup, and ensuring a quiet space.

    Also, ask about accommodations in advance:

    • Do they prefer screen sharing or phone interviews?
    • Do they need additional time?
    • Would they like the questions in advance?

    Offering flexible formats—remote, hybrid, or in-person—ensures participants can engage comfortably. Respect starts with planning.

    Running Meaningful and Inclusive Testing Sessions

    Session Structure That Works

    Start with a warm-up task or small talk to ease anxiety and build trust. Remember, this isn’t a test of the participant—it’s a test with them.

    Structure your session around a few focused tasks. Example:

    • “Please use the site to find and register for a webinar.”
    • “Try to contact customer support using your preferred method.”

    Observe closely—but don’t interrupt unless necessary. Let participants narrate their thought process if they’re comfortable. This gives you insight into confusion points, workaround strategies, and breakdowns in usability.

    Accessibility user testing is about listening. Often, the most valuable insights come not from what users can or can’t do, but from the effort it takes them to do it.

    Ask Thoughtful, Open-Ended Questions

    Instead of “Did that work for you?” try:

    • “How did that process feel?”
    • “What was easy or hard about that task?”
    • “Was there anything that surprised or confused you?”

    Create space for honest feedback, and resist the urge to jump in with fixes. Your goal is to understand, not defend.

    From Feedback to Action

    Once your accessibility user testing sessions are complete, consolidate your notes into themes. What barriers kept coming up? Were there recurring moments of friction?

    Tag issues by severity and impact. Some will be quick fixes—labeling buttons, adjusting tab order. Others may require bigger design shifts. Either way, track them in your product backlog and prioritize them alongside other critical bugs.

    Also, share findings with your team. Make video clips or quotes part of your sprint reviews or design critiques. Seeing real users struggle—or succeed—can be a powerful motivator for accessibility buy-in across your organization.

    Make It Part of Your Process

    Accessibility user testing isn’t a one-off effort. Integrate it into every major phase of development:

    • Early design prototypes
    • Beta versions before release
    • Major feature updates

    The earlier you involve users, the more you catch—and the less expensive it is to fix. Consider building an accessibility testing panel you can tap into regularly. Make it part of your QA cycle, not just a compliance afterthought.

    User-Tested, People-Approved

    Automated tools and manual audits are important—but they only take you so far. To build truly inclusive experiences, you need to go deeper. Accessibility user testing gives you something no tool ever will: real human insight.

    By listening to and designing with people with disabilities, you move from compliance to compassion. From checking boxes to opening doors. From good enough to genuinely excellent. And that’s not just better accessibility—it’s better UX, period.

    If you’re ready to elevate your accessibility strategy with meaningful user feedback, 216digital can help. Schedule an ADA briefing with our accessibility team to discuss how user testing fits into a comprehensive, long-term solution. Together, we’ll help you build experiences that work for everyone—starting now.

    Greg McNeil

    June 13, 2025
    Testing & Remediation, Uncategorized
    Accessibility testing, Manual Testing, User Experience, user testing, Users experience, Web Accessibility Remediation

  • Are Accessible Websites More Expensive to Develop?

    Let’s get one thing out of the way: making your website accessible does not mean doubling your budget or dragging out your timeline. One of the biggest misconceptions we hear from clients is that accessible websites are more expensive to build. But when done right, accessibility isn’t some extra layer you slap on later—it’s a smarter way to build from the beginning.

    Accessibility isn’t about adding bells and whistles. It’s about giving everyone a fair shot at using your site—no matter how they access it. And when accessibility is baked into your planning, design, and development phases, it actually saves you money. On the flip side, skipping it now often leads to expensive fixes, rework, or even legal issues later.

    Bottom line: accessible websites aren’t more expensive to develop—inaccessible ones are.

    What Accessibility Actually Requires

    If you’re picturing accessibility as a mountain of custom features and complicated coding, let’s pump the brakes. Most accessibility best practices are about making smarter choices early in the process, not reinventing the wheel.

    Let’s look at a few low-effort, high-impact things your team can do:

    • Add alternative (alt) text as you upload images. It takes seconds and provides screen readers with essential context.
    • Use semantic HTML (like proper headings, lists, and buttons) instead of just styling with divs and spans.
    • Structure navigation so users can tab through with a keyboard.
    • Check your color contrast in early design stages—this small choice determines readability for millions of users.

    Accessibility isn’t about building entirely new tools. It’s about ensuring your site plays nicely with existing assistive technologies—like screen readers, screen magnifiers, or voice navigation tools.

    That means you don’t have to build special versions of your site for users with disabilities. You just need to support the way they already navigate the web.

    Building Accessibility from the Ground Up Saves Time and Money

    Now here’s where the real costs come in: retrofitting. When accessibility isn’t part of the original plan, fixing issues after launch becomes much more expensive.

    Let’s say you skipped writing alt text during image uploads. Going back to write descriptions for 1,000+ images after the fact? That’s hours—if not weeks—of work.

    Or maybe you used complex JavaScript widgets without thinking about keyboard access. Retrofitting those components to be screen reader-friendly may mean rewriting large sections of your code.

    In other words, fixing inaccessible websites costs more than doing it right the first time. And those fixes often introduce technical debt—clunky workarounds, inconsistent updates, and ongoing maintenance headaches.

    Accessible websites, when built with care from the start, are easier to update, scale, and maintain. They’re leaner, cleaner, and future-proof.

    Accessibility Supports Other Core Business Goals

    Accessibility isn’t just about doing the right thing—it’s also good business.

    Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

    Search engines love accessible sites. Why? Because many accessibility best practices—like using descriptive alt text, heading tags, and semantic HTML—also help search engines understand and index your content.

    Performance and Usability

    Accessible websites tend to have faster load times and cleaner code, which improves the overall user experience. Mobile users, for example, benefit from accessible design as much as someone using a screen reader.

    Security and Stability

    Accessible forms often rely on well-structured HTML and simple interactions rather than fragile JavaScript plugins. This makes your site more stable and secure, reducing the likelihood of bugs or failures.

    In short, accessibility supports the same goals that developers, designers, marketers, and business owners already care about: visibility, usability, and reliability.

    The Real Risk: Legal Liability and Missed Market Potential

    Now let’s talk about the elephant in the room: lawsuits.

    Accessibility-related lawsuits have been on the rise for years—especially under ADA Title III, which covers websites as places of public accommodation. And it’s not just the big guys being targeted. Small and midsize businesses are increasingly in the crosshairs.

    Worse, many businesses try to cut corners with accessibility overlays or plugins. These tools promise instant compliance but often fall short of legal standards like WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines). Relying on them can actually increase your legal risk.

    And beyond compliance? Let’s not ignore the massive untapped audience:

    • 1 in 4 U.S. adults lives with a disability.
    • Older adults, one of the fastest-growing groups of online shoppers, benefit from larger text, clearer navigation, and reduced motion.
    • Consumers care—more people are making buying decisions based on brand values like inclusivity and social responsibility.

    An accessible website isn’t just a shield against lawsuits. It’s a magnet for customers you might otherwise miss entirely.

    Smart Accessibility Decisions by Role

    No matter your role on a digital team, you can make choices that support accessible websites from the beginning.

    For Designers

    • Choose high-contrast color schemes.
    • Use legible fonts with scalable sizes.
    • Structure content with a clear visual hierarchy.
    • Design for flexibility—not everyone uses a mouse or touchscreen.

    For Developers

    Use semantic HTML for structure.

    • Make sure all interactive elements work with a keyboard.
    • Don’t overuse ARIA—follow best practices and use it only when necessary.

    For Content Creators

    • Write in plain, easy-to-understand language.
    • Make sure your links say where they go (“Read our pricing guide,” not just “Click here”).
    • Use headings and lists to break up content.

    For Project Managers

    • Treat accessibility like you would security or performance. It’s not optional—it’s critical.
    • Schedule accessibility testing early and often, not just at the end.
    • Work accessibility into every sprint, deliverable, and stakeholder review.

    Accessibility is everyone’s job—and it’s much easier when it’s a shared priority from the beginning.

    Accessibility as an Investment, Not a Line Item

    Let’s reframe the conversation.

    Accessibility isn’t just a cost on your project spreadsheet. It’s a long-term investment in your brand, your user experience, and your operational efficiency.

    Here’s what you gain:

    • Simpler redesigns: Sites built on semantic, accessible foundations are easier to rebuild or re-theme.
    • Better customer experiences: More people can use your site with ease—and they’ll remember it.
    • Improved trust: Customers, partners, and regulators alike see accessible websites as a sign of responsibility and care.

    Even the W3C, the global standards organization behind WCAG, notes that accessible websites “often work better for everyone” and “improve the user experience across devices.”

    At 216digital, we’ve seen it firsthand—companies that build accessibly from the start end up with stronger, leaner, and more successful digital platforms.

    Make Accessibility a Strategic Priority

    So, are accessible websites more expensive to develop?

    Not if you do it right.

    Integrating accessibility from the beginning is faster, cheaper, and more effective than fixing it later. It supports your other business goals, opens up new markets, and protects you from legal risk.

    Inaccessible websites may cost less upfront—but they cost far more in the long run.

    If you’re planning a redesign or wondering where your current site stands, scheduling an ADA accessibility briefing with 216digital is a smart, low-commitment first step. We’ll help you assess your current risk, prioritize improvements, and put you on the path to building more inclusive digital experiences.

    Because accessibility isn’t an extra—it’s just smart business.

    Greg McNeil

    June 9, 2025
    Testing & Remediation
    Accessibility, Accessibility Remediation, cost, Web Accessibility Remediation, Website Accessibility

  • Law Firms Aren’t Built for Accessibility Remediation Services

    When a demand letter lands in your inbox, or an ADA-related lawsuit hits your desk, your first thought might be to call a lawyer. That’s a natural reaction—after all, legal issues usually call for legal help.

    But here’s where things get a little more complicated: if the problem is your website’s accessibility, then legal advice alone won’t fix it. And that’s where many businesses take a wrong turn. Legal teams can guide you through the paperwork, but they’re rarely the ones who dig into your code, address the real barriers, or help you prevent the next lawsuit.

    This article walks you through why relying on a law firm to handle accessibility remediation services might not be the best move—and what a smarter, more effective approach looks like.

    The Problem: Law Firms Handle Lawsuits—Not Code

    Let’s be clear—attorneys have an important role. If you’ve received a demand letter or lawsuit, they can help you respond, negotiate, or represent you in court. But legal involvement doesn’t make the accessibility problem go away. The root issue—your website not working for people with disabilities—still remains. And it’s that issue that continues to carry legal and reputational risk.

    Most law firms don’t have in-house technical teams. No developers, no certified accessibility experts, no usability testers. So what happens? They either outsource the actual accessibility remediation services to third-party vendors (often charging a premium along the way) or provide high-level reports filled with checklists that leave your dev team guessing at what to do next.

    That means you’re still on the hook for the real work—and possibly paying more for it.

    Hidden Risk #1: You’ll Pay More for Less

    Law firms typically charge by the hour, which makes sense for legal tasks like reviewing contracts or negotiating settlements. But when they apply those same rates to accessibility-related work—such as interpreting WCAG guidelines, coordinating with vendors, or reviewing audit summaries—it turns into a costly game of telephone.

    You end up paying for layers of administrative overhead that slow down progress and don’t actually improve your website.

    Worse, you might not even realize where the money is going. Legal fees can pile up quickly without producing the tangible results your business actually needs: a compliant, accessible, functional website. For small to mid-size organizations trying to manage both compliance and budget, this model is hard to justify.

    Hidden Risk #2: The Fixes May Not Be Complete

    Fixing accessibility isn’t about running a quick scan and addressing a handful of errors. Real remediation requires technical precision, contextual judgment, and manual testing—especially with screen readers and keyboard navigation. It involves understanding how accessibility issues present in code and how they affect the user experience for people with different disabilities.

    Many law firms don’t have the tools—or the trained personnel—to go that deep. And their vendor partners often lean heavily on automated tools that only catch surface-level issues.

    Here’s what that kind of partial remediation can miss:

    • Form fields without accessible labels
    • Improper heading structures that confuse screen readers
    • Modal windows that can’t be closed without a mouse
    • Buttons or links that don’t receive keyboard focus
    • Dynamic content changes that don’t alert assistive technologies

    These aren’t fringe cases—they’re exactly the kinds of issues that trigger lawsuits. Unfortunately, teams often overlook them when legal experts, rather than technical specialists, lead accessibility remediation efforts.

    Hidden Risk #3: No Plan for the Long Term

    Even if your legal team manages to patch things up for now, accessibility isn’t a one-and-done situation. Websites evolve. New content is added. Platforms update. If you don’t have an ongoing plan, you risk falling out of compliance all over again—and landing back in legal trouble.

    Law firms are built for casework, not for long-term technical oversight. Most won’t offer monitoring services, provide training for your content team, or stay engaged as your digital properties change over time. Without a partner who understands how to maintain accessibility remediation services, you’re left exposed.

    That’s why sustainable compliance calls for a proactive strategy—one that goes beyond legal checkboxes and focuses on real-world usability, continuous improvement, and future-proofing your site.

    What Proper Accessibility Remediation Services Look Like

    To address ADA compliance issues the right way, you need more than legal advice—you need a full-service accessibility team that knows how to diagnose, prioritize, and implement lasting solutions.

    Here’s what effective accessibility remediation services typically involve:

    1. In-Depth Accessibility Audit

    Experienced accessibility professionals start by reviewing your site against WCAG 2.1 A/AA standards using both automated and manual testing. This ensures nothing gets missed. A proper audit covers the following:

    • Screen reader testing using tools like NVDA, JAWS, or VoiceOver
    • Keyboard-only navigation analysis
    • Color contrast checks
    • Semantic HTML review
    • ARIA role validation for dynamic content

    It’s this level of testing that uncovers real usability barriers.

    2. A Clear, Actionable Roadmap

    Instead of a vague checklist, a solid remediation team will provide a prioritized list of issues, each translated into plain language with clear technical recommendations. The goal is to make it easy for developers to understand what needs to be fixed—and how.

    3. Code-Level Fixes

    This is the heart of remediation. A professional team doesn’t just point out problems—they roll up their sleeves and solve them. That includes adjusting templates, improving focus states, rewriting inaccessible components, and ensuring your code structure supports screen readers and keyboard navigation.

    It’s hands-on work—and it requires skilled front-end developers who understand both accessibility and UX.

    4. Real-World Usability Testing

    After you make changes, your work isn’t done. Test the updated site again—this time in real-world scenarios using assistive technologies. This step confirms that your remediation efforts actually work for the people they’re designed to support.

    5. Documentation & Legal Support

    While not a substitute for a legal team, many remediation partners provide helpful documentation—such as accessibility statements, conformance reports (like VPATs), and audit results—that demonstrate your organization’s commitment to accessibility. These materials can also support your response if you’re facing legal scrutiny.

    6. Ongoing Monitoring

    Even after remediation, your site should be monitored regularly. A good partner will offer scanning tools like a11y.Radar for testing and alerts to catch issues early—before they turn into compliance risks.

    Why Accessibility Professionals Are the Better Fit

    Accessibility specialists solve the actual problem: they make websites usable for people with disabilities. They work closely with your development, design, and content teams to create solutions that align with your brand, support your UX goals, and meet compliance requirements.

    Unlike law firms, accessibility pros don’t just help you react—they help you prepare. Their job is to prevent problems, not just manage them after the fact.

    They bring technical knowledge, lived user experience insights, and a collaborative mindset to the table. That’s how you get lasting results—not just legal coverage, but a stronger, more inclusive digital presence.

    Conclusion: The Smart Path to Lasting Compliance

    If you’re navigating legal pressure because of an inaccessible website, it’s important to act quickly—but also wisely. Legal teams play a role, yes, but true ADA compliance requires more than legal documents and advice. It takes technical expertise, accessibility remediation services, and a long-term plan that goes beyond checking boxes.

    The right partner doesn’t just help you respond to a lawsuit—they help you prevent the next one by making your website genuinely usable for everyone. That means fewer legal risks, stronger user trust, and a better experience across the board.

    At 216digital, we specialize in real solutions—not just legal responses. From WCAG audits and code-level fixes to usability testing and ongoing monitoring, we help you build and maintain a site that works for everyone.

    Schedule an ADA briefing with our accessibility team today to get clear, honest guidance on what your site needs, what’s at risk, and how to move forward confidently. Let’s make your compliance efforts count—for your users and your business.

    Greg McNeil

    June 4, 2025
    Legal Compliance
    Accessibility, Accessibility Remediation, Accessibility testing, ADA Compliance, WCAG, Web Accessibility, Web Accessibility Remediation, Website Accessibility

  • Is Manual Accessibility Testing Worth the Time?

    Deadlines move fast. Automated accessibility tools promise faster. It’s no surprise many dev teams lean on them—especially when stakeholders are asking, “Are we compliant yet?” Tools like WAVE and Lighthouse give quick answers, clean reports, and a reassuring sense of progress.

    But here’s the part too many teams miss: automated testing only tells part of the story. The code might check out, but what about the actual experience? Can someone using a screen reader complete a purchase? Can a keyboard user navigate a modal without getting stuck? These are the kinds of issues that don’t show up in automated scans—but absolutely show up in real life.

    If your goal is to build a product that’s not just technically compliant, but genuinely usable and defensible, manual accessibility testing needs to be part of the process. It’s the only way to uncover what automation can’t: nuance, clarity, and usability in the real world.

    In this article, we’ll unpack the value of manual testing, where automated tools fall short, and how a smart hybrid approach gives you better results—and better protection.

    What Is Manual Accessibility Testing?

    Manual accessibility testing is the hands-on process of evaluating a digital product’s usability for people with disabilities—without relying solely on software. This might include:

    • Navigating with only a keyboard
    • Using a screen reader like NVDA, JAWS, or VoiceOver
    • Checking for color contrast by eye
    • Reviewing focus states and logical tab order
    • Testing real-world use cases (like filling out a form or completing a checkout process)

    The goal is to simulate the experience of actual users with assistive technologies and identify barriers beyond code compliance.

    The Appeal (and Limits) of Automated Testing

    Automated accessibility tools like Lighthouse and WAVE have transformed developers’ identification of issues. They quickly scan code for missing alt text, incorrect ARIA roles, form labeling issues, and other violations of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

    Automated testing is fast and repeatable. It’s ideal for:

    • Initial scans during development
    • Catching basic syntax errors
    • Setting up CI/CD integration for ongoing testing
    • Flagging regressions after code updates

    But here’s the catch: automation can only detect around 25-35% of accessibility issues. The rest requires human judgment.

    What Automated Tools Can’t Catch

    Despite their efficiency, automated tools lack the context and empathy of human testing. Here’s what they consistently miss:

    1. Keyboard Trap Detection: Tools may confirm that an element is focusable, but they won’t always detect when users get stuck in modal dialogs or custom components without a proper way to escape.
    2. Screen Reader Usability: Only a human can determine if the screen reader output is logical, coherent, and meaningful in context. Just because a screen reader reads something doesn’t mean it makes sense to the user.
    3. Visual Focus Indicators: Automated checkers might verify the presence of a focus style, but they can’t confirm if it’s visible or intuitive in a real-world interface.
    4. Form Instructions and Error Messages: Does the screen reader clearly announce the error? Are instructions available before a user makes a mistake? Automation doesn’t evaluate the usability of the experience.
    5. Color Contrast in Context: A contrast checker might say a color combination passes WCAG, but it doesn’t judge readability in real UI conditions (like against busy background images or gradients).
    6. Meaningful Link Text: Tools can flag vague text like “click here,” but they don’t understand if a link in a sentence conveys context when read out of order.
    7. Cognitive Load and Ease of Use: Only a human can evaluate whether a layout or interaction is intuitive for users with cognitive disabilities or limited dexterity.

    In short, automation checks the code; manual accessibility testing checks the experience.

    Why a Hybrid Approach Works Best

    The smartest accessibility strategies combine the speed of automation with the nuance of manual testing. Here’s how they complement each other:

    TaskBest MethodWhy
    Catch missing alt attributesAutomatedFast and reliable for simple HTML validation
    Ensure meaningful alt descriptionsManualContext is required for accuracy
    Validate keyboard navigationManualHumans can detect trap states, confusing order
    Check color contrast ratiosAutomatedUseful for quick scanning
    Judge visual clarity of focus statesManualOnly human vision can determine visibility
    Spot WCAG syntax violationsAutomatedEfficient, especially with CI/CD tools
    Confirm screen reader compatibilityManualRequired for usability assurance
    Test form completion and feedbackManualCritical for real-world workflows

    This hybrid approach is not only more accurate—it’s also more defensible in legal contexts. Suppose you’re remediating a site for ADA compliance or preparing for WCAG conformance claims. In that case, you need evidence that your digital experience has been tested by real users or testers simulating those users.

    Real-World Example: Checkout Accessibility

    Let’s say you’re working on an e-commerce site. An automated test might scan your cart and checkout pages and report:

    • 100% form elements are labeled
    • Contrast ratios are within limits
    • No ARIA roles are missing

    Looks good.

    But a manual tester might uncover:

    • The shipping address form doesn’t announce errors with a screen reader
    • The “Apply Coupon” button can’t be reached with the keyboard alone
    • The payment section’s field focus jumps around unexpectedly
    • The screen reader reads the price table in a confusing order

    These are real barriers that impact sales—and wouldn’t be flagged by automation.

    Manual Accessibility Testing Doesn’t Have to Be Time-Consuming

    Yes, manual testing takes time. But it doesn’t have to grind your project to a halt.

    Here’s how teams can streamline the process:

    • Integrate manual accessibility testing in sprints. Assign accessibility checks to QA or dev team members alongside other functional testing.
    • Use assistive tech simulators early. Even five minutes with VoiceOver or NVDA on a new feature can reveal major issues.
    • Focus on high-impact areas. Prioritize navigation, forms, modals, and anything tied to conversions or essential tasks.
    • Document patterns. Once you’ve tested common components (like dropdowns, date pickers, etc.), reuse them instead of rebuilding.

    And most importantly—train your team. A developer with basic screen reader skills and a solid understanding of WCAG can identify more issues in five minutes than a tool might catch in five hours.

    The Long-Term Payoff

    Manual accessibility testing isn’t just about checking a compliance box—it’s about protecting your users, your brand, and your bottom line.

    Benefits of a hybrid testing strategy include:

    • Fewer false positives and rework
    • Better user experience for everyone
    • Reduced legal risk and stronger compliance
    • Improved SEO and discoverability
    • Greater confidence in product quality

    When teams understand what to test, how to test it, and why it matters, accessibility becomes a natural part of the development workflow—not an afterthought.

    Bridging the Gap Between Code and Experience

    So—is manual accessibility testing worth it?

    Without question. Automated tools are great for speed, consistency, and catching the basics, but they can’t see the experience through a user’s eyes. Manual accessibility testing brings in that essential layer of human judgment, helping your team uncover issues that really affect usability—especially for people navigating with assistive technologies.

    When you pair automation with real-world testing, you’re not just building a site that passes checks—you’re creating something that works better for everyone. It’s a smarter, more resilient way to approach accessibility, especially as legal expectations grow and user expectations rise even faster.

    Curious what that could look like for your team? Schedule an ADA briefing with 216digital. We’ll walk you through our Phase 2 real-world remediation services—designed to help you go beyond code checks and build accessibility that holds up in practice, not just on paper.

    Greg McNeil

    May 15, 2025
    Testing & Remediation
    Accessibility, Accessibility Remediation, Accessibility testing, manual audit, Manual Testing, Web Accessibility, Web Accessibility Remediation

  • Don’t Be Fooled by False Positives in Accessibility

    Imagine you’re scanning through an accessibility report when it flags a purely decorative image for missing alt text. You pause and double-check the code—aria-hidden= "true" is clearly set—yet the tool insists it’s an issue. In moments like these, you’re dealing with false positives.

    When left unchecked, false positives can waste hours of development time, drain your budget, and leave real accessibility problems hidden beneath noise. For developers who regularly rely on automated accessibility testing, learning to recognize and reduce these inaccuracies is as essential as fixing actual accessibility barriers.

    What a False Positive Really Is

    Simply put, false positives occur when a testing tool incorrectly marks compliant content as inaccessible, even though it aligns perfectly with standards like WCAG. These mistaken alerts often create confusion and lead teams to fix things that aren’t broken—sometimes at the expense of overlooking real issues.

    So, why do they happen? Usually, false positives stem from three common causes:

    • Limited context: Automated tools understand code but not intent. Elements involving dynamic JavaScript or custom user settings can confuse them, triggering inaccurate alerts. For example, a modal loaded via JavaScript might be marked as inaccessible until it’s fully rendered, even if it meets all WCAG requirements when interactive.
    • Overly cautious rules: Some tools are intentionally strict, flagging anything remotely questionable to avoid missing genuine issues. While well-intentioned, this can lead to excessive alerts. Developers end up treating these tools like overprotective smoke alarms—loud, constant, and sometimes hard to trust.
    • Varied coding practices: Custom components or unconventional markup patterns, common in modern front-end workflows, often mislead algorithms expecting textbook HTML. Accessibility implemented through ARIA roles or JavaScript event handlers may trip up tools that expect static HTML structures.

    Most developers have encountered these scenarios in practice: decorative icons labeled as “critical issues,” contrast alerts ignoring user-selected dark modes, or dynamic form elements incorrectly flagged for missing labels. Each instance represents the broader problem—tools missing the bigger picture.

    The Hidden Costs of False Positives

    When false positives become part of your day-to-day workflow, the cost isn’t just inconvenience—it’s real impact on time, trust, and outcomes.

    Time and Budget Drain

    Chasing down false positives can quickly become a costly distraction. Imagine your team spends hours rewriting alt text for images that never needed it. Those same resources could have resolved genuine issues or shipped new features, improving your product instead of spinning its wheels. For larger teams or enterprise projects, these hours quickly compound into days—adding up to measurable delays in delivery and inflated budgets.

    This resource drain can be particularly painful during audits or compliance deadlines when teams are working under pressure. Every misfire takes attention away from what truly matters: building inclusive digital experiences for real users.

    Erosion of Trust in Tools

    Repeated inaccurate alerts erode confidence in accessibility tools. Developers may grow skeptical, dismissing genuine issues as “probably another false positive.” This skepticism can cause real accessibility problems to slip through unnoticed, undermining the very purpose of using these tools.

    Once the trust is gone, so is the motivation to use these tools proactively. Instead of integrating accessibility checks early and often, teams may push them off to the final stages—or abandon them altogether. That’s a slippery slope that compromises both compliance and user experience.

    Legal and Reputational Risks

    Perhaps most serious of all, excessive false positives can mask true accessibility problems. If your team assumes a website is compliant based on misleading tool reports, users could face unexpected barriers. That scenario leaves your organization vulnerable to lawsuits, fines, and damage to brand reputation.

    It’s a dangerous combination: a dashboard showing 100% compliance while screen reader users struggle to navigate key interactions. In the worst-case scenario, this could lead to legal action under ADA, Section 508, or similar laws depending on your location or industry.

    Practical Steps to Minimize False Positives

    It’s not about choosing between automation and accuracy—it’s about striking a balance. Here are a few strategies that can help:

    Choose Tools Carefully

    Accuracy is crucial. Opt for tools known to minimize false positives—look at reviews, user communities, and real-world feedback. Tools that offer detailed explanations for each issue help developers evaluate the context instead of blindly applying changes. Bonus points for tools that integrate smoothly into your CI/CD pipeline or Git workflows, allowing developers to spot and triage issues earlier in the process.

    Combine Automated Testing with Manual Checks

    Automation is valuable, but humans bring the necessary context. Regular manual reviews, particularly with real assistive technologies like screen readers or keyboard-only navigation, confirm whether flagged issues are real or simply more false positives. This human element provides critical insights into actual user experiences that no machine can replicate on its own.

    Pairing automated scans with periodic expert reviews ensures you don’t end up trusting the scanner more than the people you’re building for.

    Educate and Empower Your Team

    Providing training ensures everyone knows what a genuine accessibility issue looks like. Regular team briefings, quick reference guides, or lunch-and-learn sessions can equip developers and QA specialists to confidently distinguish true issues from false positives during daily workflows.

    It also helps to document commonly misflagged elements in your internal dev wiki or design system docs. That way, developers don’t waste time rediscovering the same conclusions again and again.

    Shift Accessibility Testing Left

    Accessibility testing should be a routine practice, integrated into every development phase—right alongside linting, unit testing, and code reviews. Early checks catch issues and limit the spread of false positives throughout your codebase.

    This shift-left approach reduces last-minute panic before launches and promotes a culture where accessibility is part of the conversation from the start. Teams that embed these habits often find they’re able to respond to flagged issues faster and with greater confidence.

    Engage Accessibility Specialists

    Sometimes, complex implementations or large-scale projects need specialized insight. Accessibility experts can fine-tune automated testing parameters, spot challenging edge cases, and provide tailored recommendations. Their guidance helps reduce false positives and sets your project on a sustainable path forward.

    Even a short-term partnership or audit can clarify which alerts deserve attention and which are tool-generated noise. Think of it like calling in an electrician to check wiring behind the walls—some things are better seen with trained eyes.

    A True Positive Path Forward

    False positives in accessibility testing aren’t just minor annoyances—they cost valuable resources, erode trust, and potentially expose your site to compliance risks. Left unchecked, they can derail good intentions and cause more confusion than clarity. But with the right balance of tools, process, and people, they don’t have to.

    Start by picking better tools, pairing them with manual validation, and investing in your team’s knowledge. Make accessibility part of your workflow—not just a checkbox at the end. And when needed, bring in expert support to cut through the noise.

    Want to take your accessibility efforts to the next level? Schedule an ADA briefing with 216digital. Our team will help you build a sustainable, practical strategy for achieving real-world accessibility and staying ahead of compliance requirements.

    Greg McNeil

    May 13, 2025
    Testing & Remediation
    Accessibility, Accessibility Remediation, false positives, Web Accessibility Remediation, web developers, web development, Website Accessibility

  • How 216digital Makes Accessibility Remediation Simple

    If you’re a small or mid-sized business owner, you’ve probably heard stories about other businesses getting hit with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) web accessibility lawsuits. Often, these lawsuits come out of nowhere, catching website owners by surprise. You might not even know what you did wrong, why your site was targeted, or how to fix it. It’s frustrating, and it’s scary. Even if you haven’t faced a lawsuit yet, you could be worried about your level of risk. Nobody wants a legal headache—especially not when you’re already juggling everything else that goes into running a business.

    Here at 216digital, our goal is to change the conversation around web accessibility. We help small to mid-sized businesses protect themselves from costly accessibility lawsuits while also making websites more inclusive for everyone. Instead of quick fixes that only look good on the surface, we focus on lasting solutions through real accessibility remediation. By partnering with us, you’re not just avoiding legal trouble—you’re also improving every visitor’s experience on your site. Good access equals good business.

    In this article, we’re going to break down what web accessibility actually means, how our services work, and why our people-focused approach sets us apart from companies that might rely on short-term, fear-based tactics. We’ll also show you how to schedule a free ADA briefing so you can gain clarity on your level of risk and figure out the next steps to make your site welcoming to all.

    What Is Web Accessibility, Really?

    Understanding the Basics

    The term “web accessibility” can feel intimidating if you haven’t delved into it before. But when you boil it down, it’s quite straightforward: web accessibility means designing and updating your website so that people with disabilities can use it just as smoothly as everyone else. This includes visitors who use screen readers, rely on keyboard navigation, need larger text, or have other accessibility requirements.

    Accessibility Helps Everyone

    Making a site more accessible often has bonus benefits for everyone. For example, clearer website structure can improve your overall user experience, boost your SEO (search engine optimization), and make your site more user-friendly across different devices. In other words, meeting accessibility standards isn’t just about legal risk—it’s also about creating a smoother experience for all your visitors. That’s why accessibility remediation is such a critical part of a business’s digital strategy.

    The Problem: Why Lawsuits Are Happening

    Why the Legal Risk Is Growing

    Over the past few years, courts have increasingly treated websites as “places of public accommodation,” meaning they fall under rules that require them to be accessible to people with disabilities. This has led to a spike in legal actions against businesses—some well-intentioned (from people who genuinely can’t access certain sites) and others more opportunistic, aiming to force quick settlements.

    Proactive Prevention with Remediation

    Either way, if your website has accessibility barriers, you could end up with a lawsuit or a demand letter. That often means paying lawyer fees, making sudden updates to your site under intense time pressure, and dealing with stress you never saw coming.

    At 216digital, our approach is all about preventing these problems before they happen. Through comprehensive accessibility remediation, we don’t want you to face that unexpected expense or crisis moment. Instead, we want to set you up for success by making sure your site meets recognized accessibility standards in a thorough, sustainable way.

    How 216digital Helps You Meet Accessibility Standards

    1. Risk-First Approach: Stop Lawsuits Before They Start

    When you bring us on board, we don’t just run a quick scan of your site and hand you a list of potential problems. A quick list is a start, but it doesn’t actually fix anything. Instead, we take a risk-first approach. We identify the areas of your site most likely to trigger a lawsuit and tackle them right away. This rapid response significantly reduces your potential exposure.

    From there, we proceed through the rest of your site, ensuring all content and functions align with trusted accessibility standards. That way, you’re not left vulnerable to new complaints popping up in the future. That’s the difference between surface-level adjustments and meaningful accessibility remediation.

    2. Full WCAG Implementation (The Gold Standard for Accessibility)

    If you’ve done even a little reading on accessibility, you’ve likely seen mention of WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines). Judges, lawyers, and advocacy groups generally refer to WCAG 2.1 for determining whether a site is accessible. These guidelines cover areas like color contrast, text size, navigation, labels, and much more—essentially the nuts and bolts of a properly accessible website.

    At 216digital, we don’t guess at what might be acceptable; we follow a systematic process to ensure your site aligns with WCAG 2.1 AA standards. We conduct thorough manual reviews along with automated checks to verify real-world accessibility, not just box-ticking. Our team’s hands-on accessibility remediation work results in a site that is recognized as accessible by the broader web community.

    3. Ongoing Monitoring with a11y.Radar

    A frequent misconception is that fixing accessibility barriers is a one-time job. In reality, websites are ever-evolving. You add new pages, adjust your site design, or change your content management system. Each of these updates can unintentionally introduce fresh barriers or break fixes you’ve made in the past.

    That’s why we built a11y.Radar. It’s our specialized monitoring tool that consistently keeps an eye on your site, even after you’ve addressed the initial round of accessibility issues. a11y.Radar periodically checks if new problems have cropped up or if previously fixed areas have broken. With this in place, your accessibility remediation efforts stay intact, and you can relax, knowing you’re not being blindsided by hidden hurdles.

    4. Hands-On Guidance and Support

    Technical expertise is crucial, but we believe that easy-to-understand communication is just as important. Our team provides one-on-one support and guidance, answering questions you have about accessibility guidelines, legal implications, and the practical steps to ensure your site meets the right standards.

    • Plain-Language Explanations: We won’t drown you in legal or tech jargon.
    • Training Resources: If your developers or content team need training to maintain accessibility remediation practices, we’re happy to help.
    • Personalized Assistance: Every website is different, so we don’t force you into a cookie-cutter solution.

    We want you to feel confident about your site’s accessibility, not left in the dark about what’s happening behind the scenes.

    Why We’re Different from Other Accessibility Companies

    We’re Not Selling Fear—We’re Solving a Real Problem

    Let’s be honest: lawsuits are a genuine risk, and the ADA is taken seriously in court. But 216digital’s mission is to educate you, not terrify you. We want to give you a clear understanding of what’s at stake and how you can proactively protect your business. Scare tactics aren’t our style. Instead, we rely on proven, professional accessibility remediation to resolve real issues.

    No Overlays, No Shortcuts

    Some companies push accessibility “overlays” that claim to magically solve every potential issue. While these might address a few surface-level features (like text resizing or color contrast toggles), they rarely fix deeper code-level or structural issues—and sometimes even introduce new difficulties.

    At 216digital, our philosophy is to fix your site at the source. We go into the code and address each issue thoroughly. Yes, it’s more work. But the results are genuine and reflect real progress that stands the test of time. That’s the power of full-scale accessibility remediation.

    We’re a Small Team That Cares

    We’ve been around for more than 25 years. In that time, we’ve supported hundreds of businesses across industries, from e-commerce shops to local service providers. We know what it’s like to run a small or medium-sized business, and we treat your goals and concerns with respect. We’re also proud to say we’re a tight-knit crew. When you call us, you’ll speak to real people who care about your success—and who care deeply about getting your accessibility remediation right.

    Ready to Talk? Let’s Schedule Your ADA Briefing

    Worried your website might have accessibility barriers? Not sure if you’re at risk for a lawsuit? We offer a free ADA briefing to help you figure out your next move. It’s a no-pressure conversation where you’ll learn what’s really happening on your site and how we can help.

    • Site Assessment: We take a basic look at your site to spot any glaring red flags.
    • Risk Overview: We talk about possible risks that could leave you open to legal action.
    • Options & Timeline: We lay out what solutions might look like, with a sense of how long and how much effort they might take.

    We’re not here to push a sales pitch—just to share our expertise and help you make the best decision. If you decide to work with us, awesome! If not, at least you’ll walk away with a clear understanding of your situation and how to move forward.


    If you’re ready to stop wondering about your site’s accessibility status and start taking proactive steps, reach out to schedule your free ADA briefing. We’ll explain everything you need to know in a straightforward, understandable way. Fill out our contact form below  or schedule online today at 216digital.com/ada-briefing. We can’t wait to hear from you and show you how simple real accessibility remediation can be.

    Greg McNeil

    April 7, 2025
    Testing & Remediation
    Accessibility, Accessibility Remediation, Accessibility testing, automated testing, Web Accessibility, Web Accessibility Remediation, Website Accessibility

  • Accessibility Barriers: The Problem with Placeholders

    Form design might seem simple at first. You add text fields, maybe a dropdown or two, and call it a day. But when it comes to guiding users, many designers rely on placeholders to show instructions or examples inside the input fields. On the surface, this seems like a neat way to save space and keep the layout clean. However, those same placeholders can create big usability and accessibility issues.

    If you’ve been counting on placeholders to label your form fields, it might be time to rethink your approach. In this article, we’ll explore why placeholders cause problems, especially for people with disabilities, and how you can design forms that are clearer and easier for everyone to use.

    Why Placeholders Cause Problems in Forms

    1. They Disappear When Users Start Typing

    Picture this: a user clicks on a field that says “Enter your phone number,” the moment they begin typing, that instruction vanishes. If they suddenly forget the exact format or details required, they have to either clear the field to see the placeholder again or guess what was there in the first place. This can be annoying in simple fields, but it becomes a real headache in longer or more complex forms. Each additional step or moment of confusion can lead to higher drop-off rates and reduced accuracy.

    2. Not All Browsers Support Them

    Although modern browsers generally display placeholders, some older or less common browsers may not. When these browsers skip placeholders altogether, the user has zero guidance or instruction for the field. If your form is already barebones—meaning you’ve omitted labels or separate hint text—people on unsupported browsers are left to figure it out on their own. This can be especially problematic when international or low-tech audiences may rely on older systems.

    3. Once Filled, Fields Lose Context

    After a user inputs data into a field, the purpose of that field may not be obvious. This is especially true for details like phone numbers, ZIP codes, or other specialized information. Without visible labels, users who step away from their screens or return later might forget the exact context for each field and whether it requires a specific format (e.g., whether to include country codes or parentheses for phone numbers).

    4. Reviewing Answers Becomes a Hassle

    Many people like to review their answers before hitting the Submit button. However, if placeholder text disappears once the user types something in, they can’t quickly verify whether their entry meets the field’s requirements. This can lead to overlooked mistakes—like mixing up month and day in date fields or forgetting to include a state abbreviation in an address.

    5. Fixing Errors Gets Confusing

    When a form returns an error message, it often refers to a specific label or hint. Without a visible label, a user might only see a generic error message like “Invalid entry” without knowing how to fix it. They’re left guessing whether they must add a certain number of characters, switch from text to numbers, or follow a specific pattern. This guesswork can be frustrating and lead to abandoned forms.

    6. Some Browsers Hide Placeholders When the Field Is Focused

    In certain older browsers, clicking or tabbing into an input field removes the placeholder immediately. Suppose a user didn’t fully absorb the instructions beforehand. In that case, they’ll have to navigate out of the field and back in, or potentially delete any typed text, to see the placeholder again. It’s a minor issue but yet another piece of friction.

    7. They Can Be Mistaken for an Actual Answer

    Placeholder text usually has a lighter contrast to differentiate it from actual user input, but the difference can be subtle. Some users might assume the placeholder is pre-filled data and skip the field altogether. Or they might try to erase the text, only to realize it’s a placeholder, not a typed entry.

    8. Low Contrast Makes Them Hard to Read

    One frequent design choice is to make placeholders light gray. This aesthetic might look sleek but can be challenging to read for people with visual impairments or even those using a device in bright sunlight. Low contrast is a direct accessibility barrier and may violate the  Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) guidelines, which recommend sufficient contrast between text and background.

    9. Some Screen Readers Don’t Read Placeholder Text

    Screen reader support for placeholders is inconsistent. Some devices or assistive tools ignore placeholders entirely, leaving users no context. If you rely on placeholders to communicate critical instructions, this group of users may miss out on the information they need.

    10. Smaller Clickable Area Without Labels

    When you have a label element associated with a form field, clicking the label sets focus on that field. This feature is handy, especially for people with motor impairments who benefit from a larger clickable target. Without a proper label, users might have to click precisely on the field, which can be more complicated.

    11. Placeholder Text Gets Cut Off

    Long placeholder text often doesn’t fit in the space provided, so it gets truncated. If the most crucial part of the instruction is at the end—like a date format or suffix—it may not be visible. Mobile users, in particular, have limited screen space, making it even more likely that critical instructions get chopped.

    12. Some Browsers Don’t Translate Placeholders

    If you depend on browser-based translation (like Google Translate in Chrome), remember that these tools don’t always translate placeholder text. International users might see fields with instructions in a language they don’t understand, putting them at a disadvantage.

    13. Auto-Complete Can Mess Things Up

    Browsers often auto-fill fields such as name or email based on saved user information. When that happens, the placeholder text is never shown. If the user doesn’t recall the exact format needed—like whether the phone number should include a dash or parentheses—they might submit the wrong thing without even realizing it.

    14. High Contrast Mode Makes Placeholders Look Like User Input

    High Contrast Mode in Windows can shift placeholder text to the same color as regular text. In that situation, a placeholder might appear identical to actual input, confusing users who think the field is already filled in or assume it’s a default value.

    What You Should Do Instead

    Rather than relying on placeholders, consider these best practices:

    Use a Visible Label

    Make sure every form field has a label that stays on the screen. Labels tell users—sighted, low vision, or blind—what the field is for. They also help screen reader users navigate more easily.

    Put Hint Text Below the Label

    If you need to offer more guidance, place this text below or next to the label. This way, the hint stays visible all the time. It won’t disappear once someone starts typing.

    Provide Clear Formatting Instructions

    Instead of relying on placeholders, add clear examples outside the input field. For instance, you could show “MM/DD/YYYY” under the “Date of Birth” label. Users can see the format without losing the prompt.

    Test for Accessibility

    Test your forms with screen readers and try them in high-contrast mode. Check that the labels are clear, that hint text stands out, and that the form works well even if placeholders don’t show up at all. Tools like WAVE or Google Lighthouse can help identify accessibility barriers.

    Consider Better UX Patterns

    Inline validation, tooltips, or progressive disclosure can guide users in a more reliable way. These methods let users see error messages or instructions at just the right time, without losing any important label text.

    Clear Forms, Better Experiences

    Using placeholders might seem like a clean and modern design choice, but it often causes more trouble than it’s worth. From disappearing instructions to accessibility issues, placeholders can leave users frustrated and unsure. Instead of relying on placeholders, give each field a clear label and keep helpful guidance visible. By doing so, you’ll create a smoother, more inclusive experience for everyone who visits your site.

    Need help making sure your forms are user-friendly and accessible? 216digital specializes in improving digital experiences for all users. Reach out to us today to learn how we can help you design better, more inclusive forms—no placeholders needed.

    Greg McNeil

    February 6, 2025
    How-to Guides
    Accessibility, How-to, Web Accessibility Remediation, web developers, web development, Website Accessibility

  • How to Test a Website for Accessibility

    Making sure your website works for everyone, including people with disabilities, isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s essential. Accessibility testing helps you find and fix issues that could make your site tough to use for people with visual, hearing, cognitive, or mobility impairments. Whether you’re a web developer, IT pro, or content creator, knowing how to test for accessibility can save you headaches—and money—later.

    In this guide, we’ll cover some simple, effective ways to check your site’s accessibility. Don’t worry; you don’t need to be an expert to get started. Let’s dive in!

    Why Website Accessibility Testing Matters

    Accessibility testing ensures your website is welcoming to everyone, regardless of their abilities. It also helps you stay in line with important standards like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and legal requirements like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

    But it’s not just about compliance—it’s about creating a better experience for all your users. For example:

    • Clear, organized content helps screen readers and makes reading easier for everyone.
    • Good color contrast improves visibility, whether you’re in bright sunlight or a dim room.
    • Keyboard-friendly navigation benefits people who can’t use a mouse and even power users who prefer shortcuts.

    Accessibility doesn’t just check a box—it enhances your site for everyone.

    Quick Accessibility Testing Methods

    You don’t need a deep dive into the world of accessibility to start testing your website. There are three main ways to test:

    1. Automated Testing
    2. Manual Testing
    3. Assistive Technology Testing

    Each method offers unique insights. Using them together? That’s your golden ticket to a more accessible site.

    Automated Accessibility Testing

    Automated tools are perfect for a quick scan. They flag common issues like missing alt text, messy headings, or poor color contrast. Think of them as a helpful starting point, not the end-all solution.

    Here are a few tools to get you started:

    • WAVE (Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool): This browser extension highlights issues like missing alt text and improper ARIA attributes. Bonus: It’s free and super easy to use.
    • Google Lighthouse: Built right into Chrome’s DevTools, it gives your site an accessibility score and helpful feedback.
    • WebAIM’s Contrast Checker: This tool ensures your text and background colors meet WCAG’s contrast requirements.

    Pro Tip: Automated tools are great, but they’re not perfect. They might miss subtler issues or flag things that aren’t actually problems. Treat them as step one, not the whole process.

    Manual Accessibility Testing

    Sometimes, you need a human touch. Manual testing simulates real-world user experiences to catch what tools can’t.

    Try These Tests:

    • Keyboard Navigation Test:
      • Use the Tab key to move around your site. Can you access every link, button, and form?
      • Is there a visible focus indicator (like a highlight) on selected elements?
      • Does the navigation flow make sense?
      • If you can’t complete tasks like filling out a form or navigating menus, there’s work to do.
    • Color Contrast Test:
      • Use WebAIM’s Contrast Checker to make sure your text is easy to read against its background.
      • Aim for a 4.5:1 contrast ratio for normal text and 3:1 for large text (18px or larger).
    • Alt Text for Images:
      • Check your images. Does the alt text describe their content or purpose?
      • Decorative images? They should have empty alt text (e.g., alt=””).
    • Forms and Error Messages:
      • Are form labels clear?
      • Do error messages explain what went wrong and how to fix it?

    For further details on manual testing, please read our article “The Human Touch: Manual Testing for Web Accessibility.”

    Testing with Assistive Technologies

    If you want the real deal, test your site with the tools your users rely on. Screen readers like NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access) offer invaluable insights into how accessible your site really is.

    What to Check:

    • Is the content reading in a logical order?
    • Are links clear and descriptive?
    • Does alt text accurately describe images?

    Testing with assistive tech gives you a firsthand look at your site’s usability.

    Common Accessibility Issues to Watch For

    As you test, keep an eye out for these usual suspects:

    • Missing or unhelpful alt text.
    • Low color contrast.
    • Skipped heading levels (like jumping from H2 to H4).
    • Keyboard traps where navigation gets stuck.
    • Forms without labels or clear error messages.
    • No visible focus indicators for buttons or links.

    The Limitations of Quick Tests

    Quick tests are awesome for a first pass, but they won’t catch everything. For example:

    • They might miss problems with interactive elements or dynamic content.
    • They don’t always account for users with cognitive disabilities.

    For a deeper dive, consider a professional audit. Experts can evaluate your site with advanced tools, manual reviews, and assistive tech to ensure you’re fully WCAG-compliant.

    Why Overlays Aren’t the Solution

    You might’ve seen tools promising quick fixes with overlays or widgets. Sounds tempting, right? But these “solutions” often create more problems than they solve.

    Here’s Why Overlays Fall Short:

    • They don’t address underlying code issues.
    • They can clash with screen readers and other assistive technologies.
    • They frustrate users instead of helping them.

    Real accessibility starts with your site’s design and development, not a temporary patch.

    Wrapping It Up: A Holistic Approach to Accessibility

    Testing your website for accessibility doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By starting with automated tools like WAVE or Google Lighthouse and layering in manual checks for keyboard navigation, color contrast, and assistive technology testing, you can create a more inclusive experience for all users.

    But remember, quick tests are just the beginning. Regular testing and professional audits ensure your website meets accessibility standards and provides the best possible user experience.

    If you’re ready to take your accessibility efforts to the next level, 216digital can help. Our team specializes in comprehensive accessibility solutions that go beyond surface fixes. Schedule an ADA briefing with us today by using the contact form below. Let’s work together to make your website accessible to everyone.

    Greg McNeil

    December 16, 2024
    How-to Guides, Testing & Remediation
    Accessibility, Accessibility Remediation, Accessibility testing, Web Accessibility Remediation, Website Accessibility

  • Progress Over Perfection: Steps Toward Digital Accessibility 

    In today’s digital world, creating websites and content that are accessible to everyone should be a top priority. But let’s face it — making your website completely accessible for every single user can feel like an overwhelming task. That’s where the concept of “progress over perfection” comes into play.

    Achieving digital accessibility isn’t a one-time fix. It’s an ongoing process of continuous improvement. If you aim for perfection from the start, you might get stuck, feel defeated, or even give up. But by focusing on making progress, even small steps, you can create a more inclusive online experience without the stress of reaching perfection right away.

    Let’s break down how you can start building a sustainable approach to digital accessibility with the right mindset, tools, and strategies.

    What Is Digital Accessibility?

    Before we dive into the “progress over perfection” mindset, let’s quickly talk about what digital accessibility really means. Simply put, it’s about making sure that all users, regardless of their abilities or disabilities, can access and use your website, apps, or digital content easily.

    This includes people who may be blind, deaf, have low vision, or have mobility challenges. It also covers people who have cognitive disabilities or those who just prefer to use assistive technology like screen readers, voice commands, or keyboard navigation.

    Digital accessibility can seem like a huge task at first, but it’s not about doing everything perfectly. It’s about making consistent improvements to ensure your site is usable by as many people as possible.

    The Problem with Perfectionism

    When you aim for perfection, the goal can feel so far out of reach that it becomes paralyzing. This is especially true with digital accessibility, where there are lots of technical guidelines and standards (like WCAG – Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) to follow. While these standards are great for ensuring accessibility, focusing on every little detail can slow you down.

    In reality, no website is perfect when it comes to accessibility. Users have different needs, and it’s impossible to design for every potential scenario at once. So, instead of feeling like you need to fix everything at the same time, shift your focus to continuous improvement. Every small step counts, and over time, those steps will add up to a more accessible and inclusive digital experience.

    Why Focus on Progress?

    The beauty of focusing on progress over perfection is that it’s achievable. It lets you start small, tackle the most pressing accessibility issues first, and then build on that foundation. As you implement changes, you’ll gradually improve the user experience, making it better for people with disabilities while also making your website more user-friendly for everyone.

    Here are some reasons why progress over perfection is the way to go for sustainable digital accessibility:

    1. You Don’t Get Stuck: Trying to achieve perfection can leave you frozen in place, unsure of where to start. By focusing on progress, you can tackle one problem at a time and move forward.
    2. It’s More Manageable: Rather than trying to fix everything at once, breaking down accessibility work into smaller tasks makes it more manageable and less overwhelming.
    3. You Can Build Momentum: When you make even small improvements, it creates a sense of accomplishment. This encourages you to keep making changes and adding new updates over time.
    4. It’s Realistic: Perfection doesn’t exist when it comes to accessibility. There will always be more to improve, so aiming for progress keeps you focused on what matters.

    Practical Tips for Achieving Digital Accessibility

    Now that we understand the importance of progress, let’s talk about some practical steps you can take to make real improvements to your site. You don’t need to do everything at once, but here’s how you can start moving toward a more accessible website today:

    Start with Low-Hanging Fruit

    When you’re just getting started, it’s helpful to identify and address the “low-hanging fruit” — the quick wins that will make the biggest impact with the least amount of effort. These might include:

    • Alt Text for Images: Add descriptive alt text to images so screen readers can convey the meaning of those images to users with visual impairments.
    • Keyboard Navigation: Make sure that all interactive elements (like forms, buttons, and links) can be accessed using only a keyboard.
    • Color Contrast: Ensure that text has enough contrast against the background so users with low vision can read it easily.

    By making these changes, you’re addressing immediate barriers that can make a huge difference in how accessible your website is for many users.

    Integrate Accessibility into Your Workflows

    To create long-term sustainability, accessibility shouldn’t be something you do only once or twice. It needs to be built into your everyday workflow. Whether you’re designing a new page, creating content, or updating a feature, think about accessibility from the start.

    Here are a few ways you can integrate accessibility into your routine:

    • Involve Accessibility from the Beginning: If you’re working on a new website or a redesign, include accessibility from the very start of the project. This way, accessibility considerations become part of the foundation.
    • Use Accessible Tools and Templates: Many website builders, content management systems (CMS), and templates have accessibility features built-in. Make sure you’re using those tools to save time and reduce errors.
    • Educate Your Team: Make sure everyone involved in content creation and site maintenance understands basic accessibility principles.

    Get Real Feedback from Users

    One of the best ways to improve accessibility is to hear directly from users. Real people with disabilities can give you valuable insight into how they experience your website and where the barriers lie. This is far more effective than guessing or relying solely on automated testing tools.

    You can:

    • Conduct User Testing: Recruit users with various disabilities to test your site and provide feedback. This can help you uncover issues you might have missed.
    • Engage with Your Audience: Ask for feedback through surveys or comments. Listen to your users, and if they point out areas for improvement, make a plan to address them.

    Use Tools for Continuous Monitoring

    To ensure your website stays accessible over time, use tools that can help you identify and fix problems as they arise. One such tool is a11y.Radar.

    A11y.Radar continuously scans your website for accessibility issues and provides you with actionable reports. This allows you to stay on top of accessibility improvements without needing to manually review your entire site. With regular scans, you can catch issues early and keep your site in good shape.

    It’s All About Consistent Improvement

    Remember, the goal of digital accessibility isn’t to be perfect; it’s to be inclusive. Every improvement you make is a step toward creating a better, more accessible experience for all your users. By focusing on progress over perfection, you’ll keep moving forward without getting stuck in the weeds.

    So, don’t be afraid to start small. Address the most pressing accessibility issues first, integrate accessibility into your workflows, engage with real users for feedback, and use tools to monitor your progress. Over time, you’ll create a website that’s not only accessible but sustainable in the long run — and that’s something to be proud of!

    If you’re ready to take the next step in your accessibility journey, schedule an ADA briefing with 216digital. Our experts can help you create a sustainable, actionable plan for achieving digital accessibility while mitigating risk. Let’s move forward together!

    Greg McNeil

    December 9, 2024
    Testing & Remediation, WCAG Compliance
    Accessibility, ADA Compliance, ADA Website Compliance, Web Accessibility Remediation, web development, Website Accessibility

  • When Is Web Accessibility Most Easily Achieved?

    Creating an inclusive digital experience is no longer optional; it’s critical to building modern websites and applications. Accessibility for websites ensures that all users, including those with disabilities, can access, navigate, and interact with your content. While achieving accessibility at any stage is commendable, it’s most efficient and effective when integrated early in development. By starting accessibility efforts from the initial design planning phase and continuing through coding and content creation, businesses can ensure smoother workflows, cost efficiency, and an inclusive user experience.

    Why Start Early?

    Integrating accessibility early in the website development lifecycle is not just a best practice—it’s a necessity. Here’s why:

    Cost Efficiency

    Addressing accessibility for websites issues after a site is live can be expensive and time-consuming. According to research, fixing a bug during the design phase costs significantly less than fixing it post-launch. Early integration avoids retrofitting, often requiring revisiting designs, rewriting code, and reworking content.

    Smoother Workflows

    When accessibility for websites is built into your processes, teams can proactively anticipate and address potential issues rather than scrambling to fix problems at the last minute. This approach minimizes disruptions and fosters collaboration across design, development, and content teams.

    Better User Experience

    Accessibility enhances usability for everyone. By focusing on inclusivity from the beginning, you create a website that’s compliant and offers a seamless experience for all users, regardless of their abilities.

    Best Practices for Early Integration

    Integrating accessibility into your website development process from the outset ensures a smoother workflow, reduces costs, and creates a more inclusive user experience. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)—an internationally recognized set of standards for digital accessibility—serve as a foundational resource for implementing these practices. By incorporating WCAG principles early, you align your project with best practices while creating a platform that everyone can use.

    Incorporate Accessibility into Design

    Design is the foundation of an accessible website. Thoughtful design choices can prevent significant barriers from arising. Here’s how to ensure accessibility for websites from the beginning:

    • Color Contrast: Use color combinations that meet WCAG’s minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for body text and 3:1 for larger text. This ensures readability for users with visual impairments.
    • Responsive and Scalable Fonts: Implement relative units like em or rem for font sizing, enabling users to resize text as needed without breaking layouts.
    • Keyboard Navigation: Ensure all interactive elements (like buttons, forms, and menus) are fully operable with a keyboard alone, vital for users who cannot use a mouse.
    • Accessible Visual Cues: Design clear focus states for interactive elements so users navigating with a keyboard can see which element is currently active.

    Use Semantic HTML

    Semantic HTML improves the usability of your website for assistive technologies and enhances the experience for all users. Here’s why it matters:

    • Meaningful Tags: Use HTML5 elements like <header>, <nav>, <main>, and <footer> to give structure to your page. These tags help screen readers and other assistive technologies provide context to users.
    • Proper Use of ARIA: Use Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA) attributes only when semantic HTML cannot achieve the same functionality. Incorrect or excessive ARIA use can introduce unnecessary complexity.

    Test Accessibility Throughout Development

    Testing ensures your website is inclusive at every stage of its lifecycle. It helps detect and resolve potential barriers before they become costly problems. Follow these strategies:

    • Assistive Technology Testing: Use tools like NVDA, JAWS, or VoiceOver to simulate real-world interactions and ensure your site is accessible to users relying on screen readers or magnifiers.
    • Automated Testing Tools: Tools like WAVE, or Lighthouse can quickly identify common accessibility issues. Use them as part of your continuous integration process.
    • Manual Testing: Combine automated testing with manual reviews to catch issues that tools might miss, such as ensuring logical tab order or meaningful link text.
    • Iterative Testing: Conduct accessibility tests at critical milestones—during design, during development, and before launch.

    Write Inclusive Content

    Content creators play a crucial role in making a website accessible. Accessible content ensures that all users can engage with your site meaningfully:

    • Alternative Text for Images: Provide concise yet descriptive alt text for all non-decorative images. This ensures users with visual impairments understand the context.
    • Descriptive Links: Avoid vague link text like “click here.” Instead, use text that describes the link’s purpose, such as “Download the user manual.”
    • Structured Headings: Use a logical heading hierarchy (e.g., <h1> for the main title, followed by <h2> and <h3> for subsections) to improve navigation.
    • Multimedia Accessibility: Provide captions for videos and transcripts for audio content to accommodate users with hearing impairments and improve SEO.

    Common Mistakes to Avoid

    Delaying Accessibility Checks

    One of the most common missteps is treating accessibility as an afterthought. Waiting until the end to check for compliance often results in rushed fixes that must be more thorough and effective.

    Over-reliance on Automation

    While automated tools are excellent for flagging issues, they can’t catch everything. Manual testing and user feedback are essential for identifying nuanced accessibility barriers.

    Neglecting Maintenance

    Accessibility is not a one-time task. Regular updates, content changes, and new features can introduce barriers if not correctly managed. Continuous monitoring is essential to maintaining compliance.

    Actionable Advice for Integrating Accessibility

    Educate Your Team

    Invest in accessibility training for your design, development, and content teams. Understanding the principles of accessibility empowers everyone to contribute to an inclusive user experience.

    Adopt Accessibility Checklists

    Incorporate WCAG guidelines into your project workflows with easy-to-follow checklists. These ensure that no critical steps are overlooked during design or development.

    Engage Accessibility Experts

    Consulting with experts early can save time and resources. They can provide audits, training, and guidance tailored to your project’s needs.

    Build Accessibility Into Your Workflow

    Use tools like GitHub to integrate accessibility checks into your code repositories. Automated testing scripts can flag issues as developers commit code.

    Monitor Accessibility Post-Launch

    Deploy ongoing monitoring tools like a11y.Radar to track compliance and detect issues as they arise. Regular audits ensure your website remains accessible as it evolves.

    Conclusion

    Website accessibility is most efficiently and effectively achieved when treated as a core part of the development process. By starting accessibility for websites efforts early—at the design stage—and continuing them through coding, content creation, and post-launch maintenance, businesses can avoid costly mistakes, streamline workflows, and create an inclusive user experience.

    The benefits of early integration are clear: reduced costs, enhanced usability, and compliance with legal standards. By embracing best practices like using semantic HTML, testing with assistive technologies, and prioritizing continuous testing, organizations can set themselves up for success.

    Remember, accessibility isn’t just about meeting regulations—it’s about making your website welcoming and usable for everyone. Start early, stay committed, and reap the rewards of an accessible, inclusive digital presence.

    Ready to make accessibility a cornerstone of your web strategy? 

    Schedule an ADA briefing with 216digital today. Our experts are here to guide you through creating a website that’s not only compliant but also exceptional in user experience. Contact us to take the first step toward an inclusive digital future.

    Greg McNeil

    December 2, 2024
    Testing & Remediation
    Accessibility Remediation, Web Accessibility, Web Accessibility Remediation, Website Accessibility
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