WCAG Testing Checklist

WCAG = Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, pronounced "Wuh-Cag"

Automated Testing

Automated testing involves tools such as Deque Axe, IBM Accessibility Checker, and tota11y, which can automatically check and document the errors in the markup and styling (no paid endorsements).

Define information, structure, and relationships in markup
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Define the human language in markup
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Define the purpose, name, role, and value of UI components in markup
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Provide image descriptions
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Use high color contrast
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA

Semi-Automated Testing

Semi-automated testing involves some combination of automated and manual testing, usually by starting with automated or running a script that will interact with the website/app.

Don't use color alone to convey information (colorblind)
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Ensure that focus indicator is visible
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Ensure the programmatic label matches the visual label
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Label elements and give instructions
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Make an intuitive order focusable and defined in markup
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Make sure that assistive tech can parse content
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Provide a way to bypass repeating content (skip link)
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Provide a way to understand unusual words and phrases
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Provide buttons with a large target size
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Use text instead of images of text
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Write content at an approachable reading level
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Write descriptive headings and labels
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Write descriptive page titles
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA

Manual Testing

Manual testing requires a person to view and interact with the website/app. It's recommended that this is conducted through user testing with people with disabilities as they are experts in their lived experience and assistive technology.

Allow users to save data after a session timeout
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Define status messages in markup
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Don't use flashing lights
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Get rid of background noise in audio
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Identify and describe errors to users
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Make all functionality available through the keyboard
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Make multiple types of input available
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Make sure the user knows where they are
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Make sure there are no keyboard traps
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Make time limits adjustable or not essential
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Only change the context by user request
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Prevent accidental pointer input
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Prevent errors when handling legal and financial data
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Provide ASL interpretation of video
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Provide a way to expand abbreviations
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Provide a way to pause audio that plays automatically
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Provide a way to turn off character key shortcuts
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Provide a way to turn off moving content and animation triggered by interaction
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Provide a way to zoom in and resize text up to 200%
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Provide audio descriptions of videos
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Provide audio transcripts
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Provide captions
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Provide consistent UI components
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Provide contextual help
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Provide conventional interactions (instead of motion-activated interactions)
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Provide media alternatives of video
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Provide more than one way to locate a page
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Provide pronunciation for ambiguous words
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Provide the option to turn off interruptions
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Suggest corrections to errors
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Use consistent navigation
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Use hover and focus best practices
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Use responsive layouts and don't restrict the layout to portrait or landscape
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Use single-pointer gestures (instead of path-based gestures)
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Use text presentation best practices
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Warn users about timeouts
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Write descriptive link text
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Write instructions that don't rely on just one characteristic
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA

Design Checklist

This checklist is primarily for product, graphic, and UI/UX designers to evaluate the visual and interactive accessibility. Most design criteria can be evaluated through semi-automated or manual testing.

Don't use color alone to convey information (colorblind)
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Identify and describe errors to users
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Make sure the user knows where they are
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Make time limits adjustable or not essential
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Only change the context by user request
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Provide buttons with a large target size
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Provide consistent UI components
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Provide contextual help
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Provide conventional interactions (instead of motion-activated interactions)
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Provide more than one way to locate a page
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Provide the option to turn off interruptions
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Suggest corrections to errors
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Use consistent navigation
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Use high color contrast
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Use single-pointer gestures (instead of path-based gestures)
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Use text presentation best practices
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA

Content Checklist

This checklist is primarily for people who manage content - writers, photographers, videographers, and social media producers. Most content criteria can be evaluated through manual testing.

Don't use flashing lights
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Get rid of background noise in audio
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Provide ASL interpretation of video
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Provide a way to expand abbreviations
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Provide a way to understand unusual words and phrases
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Provide audio descriptions of videos
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Provide audio transcripts
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Provide captions
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Provide image descriptions
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Provide media alternatives of video
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Provide pronunciation for ambiguous words
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Write content at an approachable reading level
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Write descriptive headings and labels
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Write descriptive link text
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Write descriptive page titles
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA
Write instructions that don't rely on just one characteristic
Level A
Level AA
Level AAA