Conduct Periodic Manual Assessments and Tests

Manual Assessments

The Web Accessibility Initiative provides a guide to evaluating web accessibility that includes information about manual assessment methods.

• Easy Checks — A First Review of Web Accessibility
• WCAG-EM Overview: Website Accessibility Conformance Evaluation Methodology
• Involving Users in Evaluating Web Accessibility
• Using Combined Expertise to Evaluate Web Accessibility

Keyboard Tests

Testing with a keyboard is an essential part of any accessibility evaluation. In order to use a screen reader it also is necessary to learn some simple keyboard commands.

See WebAIM's Keyboard Testing.

Screen Reader Tests

A screen reader is software that enables people who are blind or have low vision to use a computer. When considering web accessibility it is helpful to have an idea how a blind person uses the web.  

1. Similar to sighted people who get their first impression of a web page from its structure and layout, so will a blind person “scan” the page for structural elements (headings, landmarks, title, and links).  
2. Once an area of interest is found, a blind person will use the screen reader shortcuts to navigate to that section of the web page.
3. The user will either listen to the content as the screen reader reads it, or use a Braille display to read it.

There are several screen readers available. The Disability Resource Center offers adaptive technology-related services to members of the University community using tools such as the two common ones listed in the table below.