About Our Standard Web Accessibility Audits for Small Business
Accessibility directly affects the quality of life for millions of people.
Why a Web Accessibility Audit Is Important
Accessibility audits are the first step to creating a web environment where all users, regardless of their abilities, can access and interact with your content. By conducting these audits, businesses can make sure that they are not inadvertently alienating users with disabilities, missing out on potential revenue, or risking legal issues due to non-compliance. With 15% of the world’s population experiencing some form of disability, ensuring your website is accessible is not just a legal necessity—it’s a smart business move.
About Our Web Accessibility Audits
At Accelerated Web Systems, we specialize in accessibility audits that help ensure your website meets the latest ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) and WCAG 2.1 AA (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) standards. We believe in a thorough, hybrid approach that includes both automated scans and manual testing by accessibility experts. This combination allows us to catch issues that machines alone may miss while also making the process efficient and cost-effective.
The Difference Between an Automated Accessibility Scan and Manual Testing
An automated accessibility scan leverages software tools to review your website for known accessibility barriers. This approach helps quickly identify some of the common issues, such as missing alt text, improper headings, or broken links. However, automated scans can miss certain nuanced problems like color contrast issues, incorrect tab order, or improper labeling of interactive elements.
Manual testing, on the other hand, involves skilled auditors simulating the user experience for those with disabilities. This includes navigating using screen readers, switching off mouse functionality, and using only the keyboard to test how easy it is to interact with the site. Manual testing goes beyond the basics to ensure real-world usability.
Why We Include Both
We incorporate both automated scans and manual testing because they each have unique strengths. Automated scans can cover a lot of ground in a short period, pointing out the more straightforward issues that need attention. Manual testing, however, provides the human perspective that can ensure a truly accessible experience. When combined, these approaches give the most comprehensive view of your website’s accessibility and leave no stone unturned.
Web Accessibility Testing Criteria – ADA and WCAG 2.1 AA Standards
Our accessibility audits use the latest ADA guidelines and WCAG 2.1 AA standards to evaluate your website. WCAG 2.1 AA standards ensure that your website is perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust (POUR) for users with disabilities. These guidelines cover a wide range of potential barriers—from contrast ratios for text to ensuring proper keyboard navigation and intuitive page structures.
What Is Covered in a Standard Accessibility Audit
Our Standard Accessibility Audit covers several key areas, including:
Pages
- Homepage (desktop and mobile)
- Up to 5 key landing pages
- One of each type of dynamic page (blog post, product page, etc.)
- Search results page
- Contact
- Basic checkout process (if applicable)
Elements
- Header and footer
- Navigation menus, desktop and mobile (including dropdowns)
- Links and buttons
- Images and alt text
- Forms and form validation
- Tables
- Videos and audio players
- Basic dynamic content (accordions, tabs)
- Color contrast and text readability
- Responsive design (homepage and navigation only)
Interactions
- Keyboard navigation
- Screen reader compatibility
- Zoom and text resizing
- Basic form submission
- Simple search functionality
Our Standard Accessibility Audits Are Ideal For:
- Small to medium-sized business websites
- Basic e-commerce stores
- Service-based business sites
- Simple membership sites
- Informational websites
- Basic blogs
- Portfolio websites
What Are the Key Benefits of Web Accessibility?
- Broaden Audience Reach: Make your website accessible to everyone, including users with disabilities.
- Legal Protection: Reduce your risk of lawsuits related to non-compliance with ADA guidelines.
- SEO Benefits: An accessible website is often structured better, which can improve your SEO rankings.
- Brand Perception: Demonstrating inclusivity helps to enhance your brand’s reputation, showing that you care about all customers.
When to Upgrade to a Custom Accessibility Audit
A custom accessibility audit might be necessary if you have a large, complex, or highly interactive website, if you cater to specific audiences with particular accessibility needs, or if you have industry-specific compliance requirements.
Your website requires a Custom Accessibility Audit if it includes any of the following:
Large-Scale Websites
- More than 20 unique page types
- Extensive content libraries or databases
- Multiple subdomains or microsites
Complex e-Commerce
- Advanced product configurators
- Multi-step checkout processes
- Subscription-based services
Advanced Functionality
- User-generated content
- Community forums
- Complex forms with conditional logic
- Interactive data visualizations
- Drag-and-drop interfaces
Specialized Features
- Financial calculators
- Learning management systems (LMS)
- Healthcare patient portals
- Virtual/augmented reality
- Interactive 3D models
- Complex audio/video tools
- Any kind of gated content
Integration & Localization
- Multiple third-party integrations
- Content in multiple languages
- Region-specific variations
- Right-to-left (RTL) language support
Progressive Web Apps
- Offline functionality
- Device-specific features
- Push notifications
Web and Digital Accessibility for Small Business by Charlotte Howard
What We Need to Know to Get Started
To begin your Standard Accessibility Audit, we’ll need some details about your website:
- The URL of your website (subdomains not included)
- Information about any specific concerns or issues you’d like us to address
- Number of published unique page types (these might be Pages, Posts, Products, Portfolios, Packages, Custom Post Types)
- Identify/count different page layouts
- Identify/count your media types – images, pdfs, audio, video
- List your interactive features
- Identify third-party integrations such as plugins and embeds
- Detail your industry requirements if necessary
- Describe any interactive elements, such as forms or calculators
- Describe gated content, if any
Next Steps
Ready to make your website accessible to all? Here’s how to get started:
- Book a Call: During this introductory call, we will discuss how our audits work, the timeline, and answer any questions you might have.
- Place Your Order: We will send you an invoice should you choose to move forward with our Standard Audit. If it is determined that you need a Custom Accessibility Audit, we will schedule a Zoom call to go over your requirements.
- Fill Out the Form: Provide details about your website from the list above, and we’ll take it from there.
Accessibility is more than compliance; it’s about creating an inclusive and welcoming experience for all. Let’s work together to make your website accessible and user-friendly.
Important Notes:
Standard Accessibility Audits take 2-3 weeks to complete.
Your order is non-refundable and non-transferable.
These audits do not test third-party integrations.
You will get a detailed report with actionable recommendations for you to plan your remediation strategy.
If your website currently uses an accessibility overlay or widget, we request that it be disabled during the audit to reduce interference and provide a more accurate evaluation.
If you’re ready to make your website ADA-compliant, schedule a call with us at Accelerated Web Systems. We can help!
