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    "title" : "How to Test Websites for Accessibility |Digital.gov",
    "description": "How to Test Websites for Accessibility",
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    {"title" :"How to Test Websites for Accessibility","deck" : "Use both manual and automated testing methods to create accessible websites.","summary" : "Use both manual and automated testing methods to create accessible websites.","date" : "2020-07-15T14:00:00-05:00","date_modified" : "2025-01-27T19:42:55-05:00","authors" : {"michael-horton" : "Michael Horton"},"topics" : {
        
            "accessibility" : "Accessibility",
            "digital-service-delivery" : "Digital service delivery"
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      "filename" :"how-test-websites-for-accessibility.md",
      
      "filepath" :"resources/how-test-websites-for-accessibility.md",
      "filepathURL" :"https://github.com/GSA/digitalgov.gov/blob/bc-archive-content-3/content/resources/how-test-websites-for-accessibility.md",
      "editpathURL" :"https://github.com/GSA/digitalgov.gov/edit/bc-archive-content-3/content/resources/how-test-websites-for-accessibility.md","slug" : "how-test-websites-for-accessibility","url" : "/preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/resources/how-test-websites-for-accessibility/","weight" : "1","content" :"\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cdiv\n  class=\"video\"\n  style=\"position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; padding-top: 30px; height: 0; overflow: hidden;\"\n\u003e\n  \n  \u003ciframe src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/o7l5d6XVDuM\" title=\"Section 508 Web Testing: Trusted Tester and Automated Tools (GSA IT Accessibility Program)\" style=\"position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%;\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" \u003e\u003c/iframe\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\n\n\n\n\u003carticle\n  class=\"dg-note \"\n\u003e\n  \u003ch4 class=\"dg-note__heading\"\u003e\n    \u003csvg\n      class=\"dg-note__icon usa-icon dg-icon dg-icon--large\"\n      aria-hidden=\"true\"\n      focusable=\"false\"\n    \u003e\n      \u003cuse xlink:href=\"/preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/uswds/img/sprite.svg#notifications\"\u003e\u003c/use\u003e\n    \u003c/svg\u003e\n    \n      Note\n    \n  \u003c/h4\u003e\n  In this video, Michael Horton, Accessible Design and Development Advisor at the GSA’s Office of Government-wide Policy, describes how to use manual and automated testing methods to create accessible websites—and why it matters. He also shares more information about GSA’s Government-wide IT Accessibility Program.\n\u003c/article\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"trusted-testers\"\u003eTrusted Testers\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBefore the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) \u003ca href=\"https://www.dhs.gov/trusted-tester\"\u003eTrusted Tester program\u003c/a\u003e, inconsistent accessibility testing approaches produced different results for the same standard. Users were unable to share results with other users while vendors and developers received mixed messages on the testing process and test results.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe DHS Trusted Tester program addresses these issues by providing a code inspection-based test approach for determining web content conformance to the \u003ca href=\"https://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/communications-and-it/about-the-ict-refresh/final-rule/text-of-the-standards-and-guidelines\"\u003eSection 508 standards\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe DHS Trusted Tester program offers:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCommon evaluation processes and procedures for Section 508 testing;\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eScalable training with a certification exam for testers; and\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eResources with certified skills and capabilities related to Section 508 conformance testing.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Trusted Tester process aligns with the \u003ca href=\"https://section508coordinators.github.io/ICTTestingBaseline/introduction.html\"\u003eSection 508 ICT Testing Baseline\u003c/a\u003e to evaluate the accessibility of a website, which provides more standardized and less subjective results. Automated testing is only capable of inspecting a portion of possible issues, with manual inspections required to evaluate the remainder. Trusted Testers can help identify a broader spectrum of accessibility issues when they are integrated into the review process.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"quote-block \"\u003e\n    \u003cblockquote\u003e\n      \u003cspan class=\"quote-block__quotation-mark\"\u003e“\u003c/span\u003e\n      Informal testing is valuable, but in order to be really sure that you’re making something as inclusive and accessible as possible, you have to have some knowledge of what to test for and the Trusted Tester process is that process.\n      \u003cspan class=\"quote-block__quotation-mark\"\u003e”\u003c/span\u003e\u003ccite\u003e— Robert Jolly, 18F Product Manager\u003c/cite\u003e\u003c/blockquote\u003e\n  \u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are several \u003ca href=\"https://www.section508.gov/test/testing-overview\"\u003etesting methods\u003c/a\u003e to validate conformance to the \u003ca href=\"https://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/communications-and-it/about-the-ict-refresh/final-rule\"\u003eRevised 508 Standards\u003c/a\u003e:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAutomated\u003c/strong\u003e — High volume testing tools automatically scan and test electronic content;\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eManual\u003c/strong\u003e — Manual testing uses a documented, consistent, repeatable process;\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHybrid\u003c/strong\u003e — A combination of automated and manual testing.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou should use the hybrid approach—both manual testing by Trusted Testers and automated testing tools—to create accessible websites and digital services.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"box \"\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBecome a Trusted Tester\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVisit the \u003ca href=\"https://training.section508testing.net\"\u003eDHS online training portal\u003c/a\u003e to take the Trusted Tester training. You can self-enroll, and DHS provides the training at no cost.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"about-the-government-wide-it-accessibility-program\"\u003eAbout the Government-wide IT Accessibility Program\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe goal of GSA’s Government-wide IT Accessibility Program is to improve compliance and conformance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. The program provides technical assistance to help agencies comply with these requirements, and ensure that covered information and communication technology (ICT) is accessible to, and usable by, individuals with disabilities.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVisit \u003ca href=\"https://www.section508.gov/\"\u003eSection508.gov\u003c/a\u003e for:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTechnical assistance for federal agencies interested in developing, deploying, and managing their accessibility policies;\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGuidance on how to improve accessibility;\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAccessibility language for contracts through the \u003ca href=\"https://www.buyaccessible.gov/\"\u003eAccessibility Requirements Tool\u003c/a\u003e, to ensure any IT products or services agencies purchase are accessible ; and\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdditional tools, training and resources.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor more information and resources on IT accessibility, visit our \u003ca href=\"https://digital.gov/topics/accessibility/\"\u003eAccessibility\u003c/a\u003e topic page, and \u003ca href=\"https://www.section508.gov/\"\u003eSection508.gov\u003c/a\u003e. Join the \u003ca href=\"https://digital.gov/communities/it-accessibility-section-508/\"\u003eSection 508 IT Accessibility Community\u003c/a\u003e Listserv.\u003c/p\u003e\n"}
  ]
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