In the series of reviews I’m looking at WCAG level A / AA (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) requirements from testing perspective.

Common Definitions

Human Testing

• Brief – “You know as you see it” – quick scanning is sufficient to check and make a judgment. This does not include effort of logging defects.
• Detailed – Either interaction (execution of tests) with the functionality is necessary or detailed review/analysis must be done in order to verify a requirement.

Tool-Assisted Checking

• Not Available – Tools cannot help in checking for the specified requirement or they help very insignificantly.
• Partial – Tools provide significant help in checking for the specified requirement, either by saving time in parsing content source or through visualization. Human does the verification and judgment.
• Full – Tools capable of locating and verifying the specified requirement. Brief review of checking results is sufficient to make a judgment.

Understandable – Predictable

Make Web pages appear and operate in predictable ways.

“Predictable” is a subjective criterion which requires human analysis, comparison and judgment.

On Focus

When a page element receives focus, it does not result in a substantial change to the page, the spawning of a pop-up window, an additional change of keyboard focus, or any other change that could confuse or disorient the user.

Human Testing – Brief

Tool-Assisted Checking – Partial

This is mainly manual testing effort that can be combined with functional testing.

On Input

When a user inputs information or interacts with a control, it does not result in a substantial change to the page, the spawning of a pop-up window, an additional change of keyboard focus, or any other change that could confuse or disorient the user unless the user is informed of the change ahead of time.

Human Testing – Detailed

Tool-Assisted Checking – Partial

This is mainly manual testing effort that can be combined with functional testing.

Consistent Navigation

Navigation links that are repeated on web pages do not change order when navigating through the site.

Human Testing – Brief

Tool-Assisted Checking – Not Available

This is manual testing effort that can be combined with functional testing.

Consistent Identification

Elements that have the same functionality across multiple web pages are consistently identified. For example, a search box at the top of the site should always be labeled the same way.

Human Testing – Detailed

Tool-Assisted Checking – Not Available

This is manual testing effort that can be combined with functional testing. Note that this fully falls under general usability category and will benefit all users.