Automated accessibility testing tools have become very important in 2025 for checking if websites and applications meet WCAG standards. These tools help developers find and fix accessibility issues based on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.
This article explains how automated testing supports WCAG compliance and lists the best tools available today to improve accessibility in digital projects.
What Is Accessibility Testing Automation?
Accessibility testing means checking websites, apps, and digital content to make sure people with disabilities can use them easily. It helps find problems that stop people with disabilities from accessing or using digital products.
This testing uses different ways and tools, such as:
- Automated tests that look for common accessibility issues.
- Manual tests are done by real people to check the user experience.
- Testing with assistive tools like screen readers and screen magnifiers.
The aim is to make sure digital products follow accessibility standards like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Doing this helps you follow laws that require equal access for everyone.
So, what are these accessibility laws?
Accessibility laws are rules and guidelines that require websites, apps, and technology to be usable by people with disabilities.
The main goal of accessibility testing and these laws is to give everyone equal access to information and services on digital platforms.
But why is accessibility becoming more important and popular now?
It is important because:
- The main reason to adopt accessibility testing is to make sure everyone, regardless of their ability, can use the product without barriers.
- Automated accessibility testing supports inclusive access by identifying issues that may affect users with visual, motor, auditory, or cognitive impairments.
- Many countries have regulations that require products to meet accessibility standards. Automated testing helps detect non-compliance early, reducing the risk of lawsuits or penalties.
- Manual testing is important, but can be slow and inconsistent. Automated checks are faster and more consistent in catching common accessibility issues across large content sets.
- It’s possible to run automated tests across multiple websites or mobile applications at once, covering more ground than manual testing typically allows.
- Digital accessibility is not optional. Automated testing supports fair access and helps create better experiences for everyone, not just people with disabilities.
- Beyond compliance, automated accessibility testing reflects a broader social responsibility to build inclusive technology.
One of the main reasons to do accessibility testing is “to make it accessible to all.”
What to Test in Accessibility Testing?
When you do accessibility testing, you should check important parts of your website or application. These are the key areas you need to focus on:
- Navigation: Test if users can move through the website using only a keyboard. All interactive parts, like links and buttons, should be easy to reach without using a mouse.
- Images and Alt Text: Make sure every image has alt text that clearly describes what the image is about. This helps users who cannot see the images understand their purpose.
- Headings and Structure: Use heading tags like h1 and h2 in the right order. A clear structure helps users find and understand information more easily.
- Colour Contrast: Check that there is enough contrast between the text and the background. This helps users with low vision or colour blindness read the content.
- Multimedia Content: Add captions, transcripts or audio descriptions to all videos and audio. This lets users with hearing or vision issues understand the content.
- Responsive Design: Make sure your website or app works well on all screen sizes. It should adjust properly on phones, tablets, and desktops.
- Interactive Elements: Check that all buttons, links, and menus work with keyboards and assistive tools. There should also be a visible focus indicator when users navigate through them.
- Error Handling: Test if error messages are clear and easy to understand. They should appear in different forms, like text and sound, and should explain how to fix the problem.
By testing these areas, you will cover the main parts of accessibility and help everyone use your website or application with ease.
Can Testing Be Automated with Accessibility Testing Tools?
While exploratory testing done by people with actual impairments offers some of the most meaningful coverage, both partial and full automation of accessibility testing is also possible.
Before you start using your favorite accessibility testing tool, it’s a good idea to download the Checkpoints for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). These checkpoints can help guide your automation process. Keep in mind that complying with WCAG is important, but it should be paired with user research and feedback from people with disabilities.
Accessibility testing tools generally fall into three categories: manual testing, automated testing, and user acceptance testing.
- Manual testing uses browsers, plug-ins, and assistive technologies.
- Automated testing relies on tools to catch common accessibility issues.
- User acceptance testing involves real users with disabilities who help uncover practical, real-world problems that automated tools may miss.
Now let’s look at some tools that can help you test for accessibility.
Top Automated Accessibility Testing Tools in 2025
Here are some automated accessibility testing tools that can help identify and fix accessibility issues in your software projects:
LambdaTest
LambdaTest is a GenAI-powered testing platform for automated accessibility testing that helps find and fix accessibility issues in web applications.
It fits easily into your current workflows, running automated tests and providing clear reports to speed up fixes. LambdaTest Accessibility Automation is built to simplify testing, work with your builds, and save maintenance time. It helps you keep your applications compliant and inclusive with less effort.
As one of the leading AI test tools, LambdaTest uses intelligent automation to improve testing accuracy and efficiency.
Accessibility Checker
Accessibility Checker is an online automated accessibility testing tool that evaluates websites against WCAG standards. It scans both desktop and mobile versions of a page to detect non-compliant elements and provides step-by-step suggestions to help address them. It supports formats like HTML, XHTML, and CSS.
Key features:
- Automated Scans – Runs full-domain and multi-page checks with detailed issue reports.
- Manual Audits – Covers gaps that automation might miss with human-led accessibility reviews.
- File Remediation – Reviews and updates documents to meet accessibility requirements.
- Education – Offers training to help teams understand and apply accessibility practices effectively.
Siteimprove Accessibility Checker
Siteimprove Accessibility Checker is part of the broader Siteimprove platform, built for managing large-scale websites. It scans for WCAG 2.1 compliance and highlights accessibility issues directly within the browser, making it easier for teams to review and fix problems in context.
Key features:
- Browser Extension – Identifies accessibility issues from within the page being viewed.
- WCAG 2.1 Compliance – Flags violations based on recognized accessibility standards.
- Actionable Insights – Breaks down problems and suggests practical next steps.
- Ongoing Monitoring – Tracks changes to help maintain long-term accessibility compliance.
AChecker
AChecker is a free, open-source tool that checks web pages for accessibility issues. It tests websites against rules like WCAG and helps find problems that may affect people with disabilities.
Key Features
- Multi-Domain Audits – You can test many websites at once.
- Automated Reports – It creates reports without needing manual steps.
- Status Charts – Shows results in charts so you can see what needs fixing.
- Clear Visuals – Highlights problems clearly so you know where to focus.
Sa11y (Salesforce Automated Accessibility Testing Libraries)
Sa11y is an automated accessibility testing tool built on Axe-Core. It integrates well with Jest unit tests, WebdriverIO integration tests, and more, offering a flexible solution for accessibility checks.
Key Features:
- WebdriverIO Integration – Includes assertAccessible() and assertAccessibleSync() APIs for browser accessibility testing.
- Flexible APIs – Allows checking of DOM or HTML elements for accessibility issues using assertAccessible.
- Results Formatter – Converts raw JSON output from Axe into a user-friendly format.
- Preset Rules – Offers base, extended, and full preset accessibility rules configurable as Axe settings.
Pa11y
Pa11y is a free, open-source accessibility testing tool from Nature Publishing Group. It checks websites for accessibility compliance and displays results on a dedicated dashboard. It works with images, HTML, and CSS.
Key Features
- Command Line Interface (CLI) – You can run tests and get reports using simple commands.
- Pa11y Dashboard – You can view results in a clean web page if you do not want to use commands.
- Configurable Flags – You can pick how your reports look using flags like –reporter to create files like CSV.
Microsoft UI Automation
Microsoft UI Automation is a tool that helps test how accessible Windows apps are. It helps screen readers and other assistive tools read and use app elements without needing a mouse or keyboard.
Key Features
- Inspect Tool – Lets you view details about each UI element and check if labels and roles are set correctly.
- UI Automation API – Helps developers make apps easier to use and lets testers check other apps using automation.
- Navigation – Makes sure things like dropdowns and pop-ups show up once and in the right place when testing.
- Flexible Positioning – UI elements can be placed anywhere in the structure, even if they are not owned by the same window.
Best Practices for Accessibility Testing
The following best practices offer a clear path to thorough and effective accessibility testing:
- Adopt WCAG Guidelines: WCAG provides a global standard centered on perceivability, operability, understandability, and robustness. Levels A, AA, and AAA define increasing requirements, with Level AA being the common target for most projects. Using WCAG Level AA as a baseline clarifies what to test and how to meet requirements, such as verifying color contrast ratios meet 4.5:1 or confirming descriptive alt text on images.
- Test with Real Users: User testing with people who have disabilities provides insight that no tool can fully replicate. Feedback from actual users reveals hidden barriers, such as unclear navigation paths or ambiguous button labels. Involving users with a variety of disabilities helps surface diverse accessibility issues and guides meaningful improvements.
- Test Compatibility with Assistive Technologies: Many users rely on screen readers, magnifiers, speech recognition, or alternative input devices. Testing with these tools as typical users would help identify barriers. Proper semantic HTML, ARIA labels, and keyboard navigation support improve compatibility with assistive technologies, widening access.
- Make Accessibility Testing Continuous: Accessibility is ongoing, not a one-time task. Regular audits detect new issues after updates, redesigns, or added content. Integrating accessibility into release cycles keeps inclusion at the forefront and avoids regression.
- Integrate Accessibility into Development Workflows: Incorporate accessibility checks early and often throughout design and development. Running tests during coding and before launch prevents costly fixes later and aligns accessibility with project timelines.
- Track Accessibility Issues and Progress: Maintaining records of identified issues and fixes helps measure progress. Accessibility checkers that provide audit reports can track score changes over time, demonstrating commitment and highlighting areas needing attention.
Conclusion
Automation tools for accessibility testing play a key role in making the testing process easier and ensuring websites meet accessibility standards. Including these tools in your development process helps you find and fix accessibility problems faster. This improves the experience for users with disabilities. As accessibility grows more important in software development, using these tools enhances your product’s quality and reflects your commitment to creating inclusive applications.
