What tools can I use to evaluate the accessibility and usability of my website?

Hey there! If you're looking to evaluate the accessibility and usability of your website, there are several tools that can help you out. These tools are designed to identify any barriers that might prevent people with disabilities from accessing and using your website effectively. Let me walk you through some of the most popular ones:

1. WebAIM's WAVE: WAVE is a web accessibility evaluation tool that provides visual feedback about the accessibility of your website. It highlights potential issues and provides suggestions for improvement. You can simply enter your website's URL into the tool, and it will generate a detailed report.

2. aXe: aXe is an open-source accessibility testing tool developed by Deque Systems. It can be integrated into your browser as an extension or used programmatically. aXe scans your website for accessibility issues and provides a comprehensive report with actionable recommendations.

3. Lighthouse: Lighthouse is a tool built into the Google Chrome browser's DevTools. It not only evaluates the accessibility of your website but also assesses its performance, SEO, and more. Lighthouse generates an audit report with suggestions for improvement.

4. Tenon: Tenon is an automated accessibility testing tool that offers both free and paid plans. It scans your website for accessibility issues and provides detailed reports. Tenon also integrates with popular development tools like GitHub and Jenkins.

5. UserWay: UserWay is an accessibility widget that you can add to your website. It provides a range of accessibility features, such as screen readers, keyboard navigation, and font resizing. UserWay helps make your website more accessible to a wider audience.

6. Manual Testing: While automated tools are helpful, manual testing is also crucial. It involves using assistive technologies like screen readers, keyboard-only navigation, and magnification tools to experience your website as someone with disabilities would. This hands-on approach allows you to identify any usability or accessibility issues that automated tools might miss.

Remember, using a combination of these tools will give you a more comprehensive evaluation of your website's accessibility and usability. It's important to regularly test and improve your website to ensure it's accessible to everyone.

I hope these tools help you evaluate and improve the accessibility and usability of your website. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask!

Peter Gorczany

Michael enjoys playing guitar, practicing martial arts, and cooking.

Peter is a committed product manager, specializing in the development of technology designed to aid individuals with disabilities. His portfolio boasts a range of projects that leverage AI and machine learning to enhance accessibility. Peter continually seeks innovative methods to make technology more inclusive and accessible.