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Introduction

To evaluate the accessibility of a website, we have to keep in mind that people access websites in a variety of ways :

  • on different platforms and operating systems,
  • with different monitor sizes, screen resolutions and colour depths,
  • in different browsers and browser versions,
  • using assistive technology from screen readers to braille printers,
  • on other devices, such as WebTV and Internet enabled phones,
  • using only the keyboard for input.

It is important to test websites in as many environments as possible, including text-only browsers and legacy browsers.

For example, different platforms display fonts and colours differently. The default font size on the Macintosh is smaller than that on the PC. Therefore it is important to give users control over presentation, to allow them to adjust the fonts or colours of a page according to their needs and preferences.

To evaluate the accessibility of your own or any other site...

  • test on as many platforms and in as many browsers (old and new) as possible.
  • test in a text-only browser or emulator.
  • test in browsers for the blind, screen readers, using magnification software.
  • test without loading images.
  • test with frames, style sheets, JavaScript and applets disabled.
  • test on small displays.
  • test with a variety of input devices (e.g. keyboard rather than mouse).

Other test criteria include :

  • load time,
  • structure,
  • navigation,
  • visual appearance,
  • clarity of content,
  • usability.

Evaluation

[ Introduction ]
[ First impressions ]
[ Keyboard access ]
[ Different browsers ]
[ User control over presentation ]
[ Validation of code ]
[ Case studies ]

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