Accessibility Auditing Shortlist - Revision history

Dkrahmer: /* First Steps */

2026-04-28T18:50:05Z

First Steps

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	## Rationale: Drag-and-drop is a very complicated move to make without a mouse, fine motor control, or physical control or steadiness.		## Rationale: Drag-and-drop is a very complicated move to make without a mouse, fine motor control, or physical control or steadiness.
	# Does the website use color alone to denote meaning?		# Does the website use color alone to denote meaning?
	## Use the [~~http~~://~~www.~~rgblind.se/~~url~~ RGBlind color blindness simulator] on the website.		## Use the [https://rgblind.com/color-blind-website-checker RGBlind color blindness simulator] on the website.
	## Does being color blind in some way affect a user’s ability to fully use the site? Is there a difference in color between a visited link and a non-visited link?		## Does being color blind in some way affect a user’s ability to fully use the site? Is there a difference in color between a visited link and a non-visited link?
	### Rationale: Using color alone can affect how users who are color blind use the website, because the meaning denoted in the difference in color may not be noticed by folks who are color blind.		### Rationale: Using color alone can affect how users who are color blind use the website, because the meaning denoted in the difference in color may not be noticed by folks who are color blind.

Dkrahmer: /* Next Steps */

2026-04-28T18:39:31Z

Next Steps

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	## Is there a “skip to main content” link? Does it go to the most logical “main content?”		## Is there a “skip to main content” link? Does it go to the most logical “main content?”
	# Do images have useful alt text, depending on the context? Do they use a null alt text (alt=””) for decorative images? Refer to the [https://www.w3.org/WAI/tutorials/images/tips/ W3 Image Tutorial Tips and Tricks] for guidance on constructing alt text.		# Do images have useful alt text, depending on the context? Do they use a null alt text (alt=””) for decorative images? Refer to the [https://www.w3.org/WAI/tutorials/images/tips/ W3 Image Tutorial Tips and Tricks] for guidance on constructing alt text.
	# Does the site properly use [https://accessibility.oit.ncsu.edu/using-aria-landmarks-a-demonstration/ ARIA landmarks]?		# Does the site properly use [https://web.archive.org/web/20250122033410/https://accessibility.oit.ncsu.edu/using-aria-landmarks-a-demonstration/ ARIA landmarks] [Web Archive version of the page]?
	# Test the software/website with a screen reader (NVDA, JAWS, VoiceOver, ChromeVox)		# Test the software/website with a screen reader (NVDA, JAWS, VoiceOver, ChromeVox)
	## For guidance on using a screen reader for accessibility testing, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FOkLRzf5ks view our March 30, 2026 meeting where D Krahmer demonstrates some NVDA screen reader basics] [YouTube].		## For guidance on using a screen reader for accessibility testing, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FOkLRzf5ks view our March 30, 2026 meeting where D Krahmer demonstrates some NVDA screen reader basics] [YouTube].

Dkrahmer: /* Next Steps */

2026-04-28T18:32:42Z

Next Steps

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	# Does the site properly use [https://accessibility.oit.ncsu.edu/using-aria-landmarks-a-demonstration/ ARIA landmarks]?		# Does the site properly use [https://accessibility.oit.ncsu.edu/using-aria-landmarks-a-demonstration/ ARIA landmarks]?
	# Test the software/website with a screen reader (NVDA, JAWS, VoiceOver, ChromeVox)		# Test the software/website with a screen reader (NVDA, JAWS, VoiceOver, ChromeVox)
			## For guidance on using a screen reader for accessibility testing, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FOkLRzf5ks view our March 30, 2026 meeting where D Krahmer demonstrates some NVDA screen reader basics] [YouTube].
	## What barriers are encountered?		## What barriers are encountered?
	## Are any pop-ups or form fields invisible to the screen reader? Do any pop-ups or menus not work with a keyboard?		## Are any pop-ups or form fields invisible to the screen reader? Do any pop-ups or menus not work with a keyboard?

Dkrahmer: /* Assistive Technology User Testing */

2026-04-28T18:28:39Z

Assistive Technology User Testing

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	If you use a specific type of AT yourself, we ask you to join in and share your experience with the GLAM technologies we are examining. Some of our current DAWG IT/Developers members are screen reader users and keyboard-only users, but we welcome anyone’s feedback.		If you use a specific type of AT yourself, we ask you to join in and share your experience with the GLAM technologies we are examining. Some of our current DAWG IT/Developers members are screen reader users and keyboard-only users, but we welcome anyone’s feedback.

	If you are doing testing at your own organization, it is important to compensate disabled users for their time and expertise. Even if the person is an employee at your organization, if it is not part of their regular duties, they should receive extra compensation.		If you are doing testing at your own organization, it is important to compensate disabled users for their time and expertise. Even if the person is an employee at your organization, if it is not part of their regular duties, they should receive extra compensation.

Dkrahmer at 18:25, 8 December 2025

2025-12-08T18:25:12Z

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	==Checklist==		==Checklist==
	Accessibility auditing is both a science and an artform. While it is best to engage with an expert, not all information organizations have access to trained auditors. The DLF DAWG team uses these steps and [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YVMgN2BSx1xG7wTqUgOtdpG5xOzCaZsN0PP1vqeGOyE/edit#heading=h.ignecjocxmlc the accompanying template] for our website reviews. Please consult the full [[Accessibility Auditing Resources]] list for courses, tools, specifications, and guidelines.		Accessibility auditing is both a science and an artform. While it is best to engage with an expert, not all information organizations have access to trained auditors. The DLF DAWG team uses these steps and [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YVMgN2BSx1xG7wTqUgOtdpG5xOzCaZsN0PP1vqeGOyE/edit#heading=h.ignecjocxmlc the accompanying template] for our website reviews. Please consult the full [[Accessibility Auditing Resources]] list for courses, tools, specifications, and guidelines.

			The main [[IT and Development]] wiki page contains a full list of software and applications that have been reviewed so far.

	===First Steps===		===First Steps===

Dkrahmer at 16:45, 24 February 2025

2025-02-24T16:45:21Z

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	This list was initially created in the #IT subgroup slack channel, and updated ~~in May 2023~~. Find more auditing ideas from the big [[Accessibility Auditing Resources]] Page.		This list was initially created in the #IT subgroup slack channel, and is regularly updated (check the page information for when last updated). Find more auditing ideas from the big [[Accessibility Auditing Resources]] Page.

	==Introduction==		==Introduction==
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	If you are participating in the initial review of a technology using the shortlist, you can mark what areas you are planning to test on the [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YVMgN2BSx1xG7wTqUgOtdpG5xOzCaZsN0PP1vqeGOyE/edit#heading=h.ignecjocxmlc Accessibility Assessment Template] for that technology. ([[IT_and_Development#Group_Organizers \|Contact the Group Organizers]] for more information.)		If you are participating in the initial review of a technology using the shortlist, you can mark what areas you are planning to test on the [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YVMgN2BSx1xG7wTqUgOtdpG5xOzCaZsN0PP1vqeGOyE/edit#heading=h.ignecjocxmlc Accessibility Assessment Template] for that technology. ([[IT_and_Development#Group_Organizers \|Contact the Group Organizers]] for more information.)

			This auditing shortlist focuses on the usability of the software, rather than how it meets certain criteria. It is not based on the [https://www.w3.org/WAI/standards-guidelines/wcag/ WCAG standards], but has many parallels. The larger [[Accessibility Auditing Resources]] page includes links to WCAG testing checklists.

	==What do we mean by accessibility?==		==What do we mean by accessibility?==

Dkrahmer: /* Considerations for non-English and Multilingual items */

2023-11-22T14:40:10Z

Considerations for non-English and Multilingual items

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	==Considerations for non-English and Multilingual items==		==Considerations for non-English and Multilingual items==
	The [https://www.w3.org/International/questions/qa-html-language-declarations language of a website or document should be properly declared], including in PDFs and epubs. This tells a screen reader what language the document is in, and that it should switch to a different voice engine.		The [https://www.w3.org/International/questions/qa-html-language-declarations language of a website or document should be properly declared], including in PDFs and epubs. This tells a screen reader what language the document is in, and that it should switch to a different voice engine. This works [https://www.freedomscientific.com/SurfsUp/Languages.htm automatically with JAWS], but [https://nvda.groups.io/g/nvda/topic/multi_language_support/25171008 may not function correctly with NVDA] or other screen readers or [https://uxdesign.cc/the-troubled-state-of-screen-readers-in-multilingual-situations-f6a9da4ecdf3 even certain browsers]. You may need to manually switch your language engine when testing a website that is in a different language than your screen reader's default setting.

			A website or document can also support multiple languages. [https://accessibility.psu.edu/foreignlanguages/langtaghtml/ Penn State's page on Language tags] clearly outlines the use and function of using language tags to mark out different languages on a webpage. The links in the above paragraphs include sections of multiple language tags so you can test our your preferred screen reader and browser to determine if it will function correctly for testing.

	==Checklist==		==Checklist==

Dkrahmer at 14:30, 22 November 2023

2023-11-22T14:30:19Z

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	As information professionals, our duty is to ensure that people have access to information. If we hide that information behind inaccessible software or poorly-designed websites, we have failed in this duty.		As information professionals, our duty is to ensure that people have access to information. If we hide that information behind inaccessible software or poorly-designed websites, we have failed in this duty.
	As with all work by the DLF DAWG IT/DEV, we are guided by the mission and values of our parent organization, the [https://wiki.diglib.org/Digital_Accessibility_Group Digital Accessibility Working Group].		As with all work by the DLF DAWG IT/DEV, we are guided by the mission and values of our parent organization, the [https://wiki.diglib.org/Digital_Accessibility_Group Digital Accessibility Working Group].

			==Considerations for non-English and Multilingual items==
			The [https://www.w3.org/International/questions/qa-html-language-declarations language of a website or document should be properly declared], including in PDFs and epubs. This tells a screen reader what language the document is in, and that it should switch to a different voice engine.


	==Checklist==		==Checklist==

Dkrahmer: /* First Steps */

2023-06-27T18:13:38Z

First Steps

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:13, 27 June 2023
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	# Does the vendor or website have a [https://www.section508.gov/sell/vpat/ Voluntary Product Accessibility Template] (VPAT) available online? A VPAT is a report that a vendor or third party creates to assess the accessibility of their product. Is there an evaluation available at the [https://libraryaccessibility.org/ Library Accessibility Alliance]? Use a search engine of choice to find out and record this information.		# Does the vendor or website have a [https://www.section508.gov/sell/vpat/ Voluntary Product Accessibility Template] (VPAT) available online? A VPAT is a report that a vendor or third party creates to assess the accessibility of their product. Is there an evaluation available at the [https://libraryaccessibility.org/ Library Accessibility Alliance]? Use a search engine of choice to find out and record this information.
	## Rationale: A VPAT document is a vendor’s self-disclosure of their accessibility, although the existence of a VPAT alone doesn’t indicate accessibility or that it was conducted by an expert. Anyone can create a VPAT, and it’s not a legal document or legally enforceable. The [https://libraryaccessibility.org/ Big 10 Library Accessibility Alliance] has done a great deal of testing on library vendors to share their professional evaluations with the world. These can tell users what accessibility issues exist with the software or website.		## Rationale: A VPAT document is a vendor’s self-disclosure of their accessibility, although the existence of a VPAT alone doesn’t indicate accessibility or that it was conducted by an expert. Anyone can create a VPAT, and it’s not a legal document or legally enforceable. The [https://libraryaccessibility.org/ Big 10 Library Accessibility Alliance] has done a great deal of testing on library vendors to share their professional evaluations with the world. These can tell users what accessibility issues exist with the software or website.
			# If the vendor or website has an internal search mechanism (i.e. search box to search the site), test to see if it actually works. You can compare it to a similar search in Google using site searching (add site:website.com to your search string in Google, replacing the address with the top level domain of the site you want to search).
			## Rationale: A working internal search can save a user a lot of time and energy if it works. Optimally, you could use the internal search to find the keyboard shortcuts, vpat, or other accessibility information. If the internal search doesn't work, then it's useless to help anyone.
	# Run the [https://wave.webaim.org/ WAVE Automatic Accessibility tool] if it’s a webpage or browser-based program. WAVE is also available as a [https://wave.webaim.org/extension/ browser extension].		# Run the [https://wave.webaim.org/ WAVE Automatic Accessibility tool] if it’s a webpage or browser-based program. WAVE is also available as a [https://wave.webaim.org/extension/ browser extension].
	## Report these errors (found in the Details tab)		## Report these errors (found in the Details tab)

Dkrahmer: /* Websites you can practice on */

2023-05-22T18:49:12Z

Websites you can practice on

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	* [https://www.a11yproject.com/ A11y Project]		* [https://www.a11yproject.com/ A11y Project]
	** This website has several tutorials on accessibility, so you can use it to practice testing while also learning more about accessibility.		** This website has several tutorials on accessibility, so you can use it to practice testing while also learning more about accessibility.
	* W3 Example of an Inaccessible Webpage		* [https://www.w3.org/WAI/demos/bad/before/home.html W3 Example of an Inaccessible Webpage]
	** This example website is purposely inaccessible, and includes annotations explaining things, as well as the accessible version		** This example website is purposely inaccessible, and includes annotations explaining things, as well as the accessible version