The first article discussed how WCAG provides a crucial technical foundation, but it doesn’t guarantee a good user experience. This is where usability testing comes in. By observing real people using your product, you can discover a wide range of issues that automated checkers and a WCAG audit might miss.
How Usability Tests Complement WCAG
WCAG provides the “what”—the technical requirements for an accessible website. Usability testing provides the “how”—the human context to ensure those requirements result in a positive experience. Think of it this way: a WCAG audit is like a building inspector checking if a ramp meets the required slope. Usability testing is like watching someone in a wheelchair try to use that ramp to see if they can actually navigate it comfortably and safely, or if it’s too difficult to turn at the top.
Key Metrics to Include
When conducting usability tests with a focus on accessibility, you should track metrics that go beyond simple task completion:
Task Success Rate: Can users with disabilities complete key tasks? (e.g., “Find and purchase an item,” “Sign up for an account.”)
Time on Task: How long does it take for a user with a disability to complete a task? A slow time could indicate navigational confusion, even if the site is technically compliant.
User Satisfaction (SUS/SEQ): Use standard questionnaires like the System Usability Scale (SUS) or Single Ease Question (SEQ) to measure subjective satisfaction. A low score might signal a frustrating experience despite WCAG conformance.
Verbal Feedback: Encourage users to “think aloud” as they navigate. Their comments will reveal pain points that numbers can’t capture.
Error Rate: How often do users make mistakes or get lost? A high error rate indicates a poor user flow.
Methods and Timing
When to Test: Usability testing should be integrated throughout the entire design process, not just at the end. Start with low-fidelity prototypes to catch major structural issues early. Conduct more formal tests on high-fidelity prototypes and live products.
How to Test: The most effective method is moderated, in-person testing, where a researcher can observe and ask follow-up questions. However, remote testing is a great alternative that allows you to reach a more diverse group of participants, especially those who use assistive technologies.
Resources & Recommendations
Going beyond WCAG compliance means expanding your toolkit.
WCAG Advisory Techniques: The WCAG documentation includes “Advisory Techniques” that go beyond the pass/fail criteria. While not required for conformance, they provide best practices for a better user experience, such as using bold text to highlight key information or avoiding justified text.
Usability Heuristics: Nielsen’s 10 Usability Heuristics provide a fantastic framework for evaluating a product’s ease of use. These principles—like Visibility of System Status or Match Between System and the Real World—can be applied to identify accessibility issues from a human-centered perspective.
Involve Users with Disabilities: There is no substitute for including people with disabilities in your user research. They are the experts on their own experience. Partner with organizations that specialize in connecting companies with a diverse group of testers.
Inclusive Design Systems: Building an accessible design system can save countless hours and prevent future errors. By baking accessibility into your components (e.g., colors with sufficient contrast, correctly labeled buttons, accessible forms), you ensure that every product built with that system starts on an inclusive foundation.
Be a Change Maker
Ready to take your accessibility efforts to the next level?
Go Beyond the Checklist: Stop relying solely on automated checkers. They are a good start, but they only catch a fraction of the issues.
Involve Real Users: The most valuable insights come from observing real people with diverse abilities using your product.
Measure Satisfaction: Don’t just ask if a task was completed. Ask how it felt. A compliant but frustrating experience is not a win.
Observe Flows, Not Just Pages: Accessibility isn’t about one button or one image. It’s about the entire user journey. Observe how a user navigates through your site and identify points of friction.
By integrating usability testing with accessibility evaluations, you move from simply meeting a legal standard to creating a truly inclusive and delightful experience for everyone.
