Most teams are not resisting accessibility; they are unsure where to start. People worry about getting it wrong, using the wrong term, or missing something important. Starting small with simple checks is better than doing nothing at all. These ten tests come directly from DigitalA11Y’s guide and are quick ways to build momentum.

 

1. Keyboard Navigation Test

Unplug your mouse and use the keyboard only. Press Tab to move forward, Shift + Tab to move back, Enter or Space to activate, and arrow keys for menus or controls. You should be able to reach every interactive element in a logical order, and everything should work from the keyboard.

 

2. Skip Links Test

On page load, press Tab once. A “Skip to main content” link should appear, and activating it should move focus to the main content. If it doesn’t appear or does nothing, add or fix your skip link.

 

3. Link Text Test

Scan every link and read it out of context. Replace vague text like “Click here” with purpose-driven text such as “Download the annual report.” Identical link text should always lead to the same destination.

 

4. Content Resize Test

Zoom the page to 200 percent using your browser controls. All content should remain readable and functional without horizontal scrolling, and you should still be able to complete all tasks at this zoom level.

 

5. Content Reflow Test

Increase zoom to 400 percent or narrow the browser window to about 320 pixels. Content should reflow to fit the screen, nothing should be cut off, and all functionality should remain available without horizontal scrolling.

 

6. Page Title Test

Each page should have a unique, descriptive title that puts the important words first and includes the site name consistently. Check the browser tab or title bar to confirm.

 

7. Video Captions Test

Play a video with the sound off. Captions should include both spoken words and important non-speech sounds, and they should be accurate and properly timed. If you host on YouTube, review and correct automatic captions rather than relying on them.

Then, play the video again but off-screen by minimizing it or turning the monitor away, and listen only. This helps check whether blind and low vision users can follow the full meaning through audio alone. This is my addition to the DigitalA11Y list, but it’s one I find valuable in practice.

Guidance: YouTube captions help

 

8. Heading Structure Test

Headings provide the backbone of a page’s structure. Use one H1 per page, followed by H2, H3, and so on for subsections. To inspect quickly, open your browser’s built-in developer tools and look at the accessibility or headings view to confirm order and hierarchy.

 

9. Focus Indicators Test

Tab through links, buttons, and form fields. A clear visible focus indicator should appear on every focusable element and remain visible against the background. If outlines have been removed in CSS, restore them with :focus and outline.

 

10. Color Contrast Test

Use a free checker to test text, links, and UI elements against their backgrounds. Normal text should have a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1, and large text (18pt regular or 14pt bold) at least 3:1.

Tools: WebAIM Color Contrast Checker or TPGi Colour Contrast Analyser.

 

Bringing It Together

These ten checks are a foundation, not a finish line. They help you find common barriers and build habits that stick, thinking about focus, structure, captions, reflow, and contrast during everyday work.

Roughly one in four people live with some form of disability. Starting with these simple tests reduces barriers, improves usability, and strengthens the experience for everyone. Accessibility in practice is about progress, empathy, and steady improvement. Start today and build from there.