TemplateFREE⏱️ 15 minutes
Accessibility Testing Template for User Research
Plan and execute accessibility testing across WCAG 2.1 guidelines with structured audit checklists, severity scoring, and a remediation tracker.
Updated 2026-03-04
Accessibility Testing
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a full accessibility audit take?+
A focused audit of 3-4 key flows takes 4-6 hours for a single tester. Automated scans run in minutes, but manual keyboard and screen reader testing requires hands-on time. Plan for 1-2 days if you are auditing a full product for the first time.
Do I need to meet WCAG AAA to ship?+
No. WCAG AA is the standard that most organizations target and most regulations require. AAA includes criteria that are extremely difficult to meet for all content types (like providing sign language interpretation for all video). Aim for AA compliance and address AAA criteria where feasible.
What automated tools should I use?+
Start with axe DevTools (browser extension, free) and Lighthouse (built into Chrome DevTools). Both catch contrast issues, missing labels, ARIA errors, and semantic HTML problems. WAVE is another solid option. No automated tool catches more than 40% of WCAG issues, so manual testing is essential.
How do I test if I do not have a screen reader?+
VoiceOver is built into every Mac (System Settings, Accessibility, VoiceOver). NVDA is free for Windows. TalkBack is built into Android. You do not need to buy anything. Spend 30 minutes learning basic navigation commands before testing.
Should accessibility testing happen in discovery or before launch?+
Both. During discovery, audit competitor products and test early prototypes with keyboard navigation. Before launch, run the full audit in this template. The earlier you catch issues, the cheaper they are to fix. A contrast fix in Figma takes 5 minutes. The same fix in production takes a PR, code review, and deployment.
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