What are some tools or methods to test the accessibility of your multilingual content?

1 WCAG standards

One of the most widely used and recognized frameworks for accessibility is the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). WCAG provides a set of principles, guidelines, and success criteria for making web content accessible to people with various disabilities, such as visual, auditory, cognitive, or motor impairments. WCAG also covers different aspects of accessibility, such as perceivability, operability, understandability, and robustness. You can use WCAG as a reference and a checklist to evaluate and improve the accessibility of your multilingual content.

2 Automated testing tools

Another way to test the accessibility of your multilingual content is to use automated testing tools, such as browser extensions, web services, or software applications. These tools can scan your web pages and identify potential accessibility issues, such as missing alt text, low contrast, or keyboard navigation problems. Some examples of automated testing tools are WAVE, axe, Lighthouse, and AChecker. However, automated testing tools cannot detect all accessibility issues, especially those related to language, context, or user feedback. Therefore, you should always complement automated testing with manual testing and user testing.

3 Manual testing methods

Manual testing methods involve checking the accessibility of your multilingual content by yourself or with the help of other people. You can use different techniques, such as keyboard testing, screen reader testing, zoom testing, or color blindness testing. These techniques can help you simulate how different users might interact with your content and identify any barriers or difficulties they might encounter. You can also use some tools to assist you with manual testing, such as keyboard shortcuts, screen reader software, browser zoom functions, or color blindness simulators.

4 User testing methods

User testing methods involve involving real users with different abilities, preferences, and devices in the testing process. You can recruit users from your target audience or from online platforms, such as UserTesting, UserZoom, or Loop11. You can ask users to perform specific tasks on your web pages and observe their behavior, feedback, and satisfaction. You can also collect quantitative and qualitative data, such as completion rates, error rates, time on task, or comments and suggestions. User testing can help you validate and improve the accessibility of your multilingual content from the user's perspective.

5 Language testing methods

Language testing methods involve checking the quality and accuracy of your translations and localizations. You can use different methods, such as proofreading, editing, reviewing, or quality assurance. These methods can help you ensure that your multilingual content is clear, consistent, appropriate, and culturally sensitive. You can also use some tools to assist you with language testing, such as spell checkers, grammar checkers, terminology databases, or style guides.

6 Accessibility reports and audits

Finally, you can use accessibility reports and audits to document and communicate the results of your accessibility testing. Accessibility reports and audits can provide a summary of your accessibility goals, methods, findings, and recommendations. They can also help you track your progress, identify gaps and opportunities, and demonstrate your compliance and commitment to accessibility. You can use different formats and tools to create accessibility reports and audits, such as templates, dashboards, or certificates.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?