10 Common Accessibility Testing Mistakes: Checklist & QA Tips

Introduction: Avoiding Common Mistakes with an Accessibility Audit Checklist

Digital accessibility is not simply a legal requirement or a development “nice to have”—it is a fundamental necessity for creating inclusive experiences. Yet, teams often repeat the same accessibility testing mistakes, even with good intentions. In this blog, we’ll share a practical accessibility audit checklist and proven accessibility QA tips to help you catch recurring issues before they affect users.

Why Accessibility Testing Matters

People with disabilities rely on accessible websites and apps for essential tasks. Failing to consider accessibility excludes millions from experiencing your digital content. Regular testing—supported by both automation and hands-on checks—opens the digital doors to everyone. The right accessibility audit checklist ensures you spot errors early, while accessibility QA tips help your team maintain standards consistently.

10 Common Accessibility Testing Mistakes

Here are the top mistakes that teams make during accessibility testing. Review this list often, and you’ll start to see significant improvements.

• Only using automated tools and ignoring manual testing.
• Skipping keyboard-only navigation checks.
• Not providing sufficient color contrast for text and UI elements.
• Forgetting to add clear alternative text for images and charts.
• Relying on placeholder text instead of proper labels.
• Missing focus states, making navigation difficult for keyboard users.
• Failing to test with real screen readers.
• Not considering different types of disabilities or assistive technologies.
• Assuming one-size-fits-all solutions address every accessibility challenge.
• Neglecting continuous testing as the website or app evolves.

Avoiding these mistakes requires a systematic approach. That’s where a robust accessibility audit checklist and tried-and-true accessibility QA tips come in.

Accessibility Audit Checklist

Use this checklist each time you test your website or app. Consistency is key for spotting and fixing accessibility issues.

• Are all images described with meaningful alt text or marked as decorative?
• Can every interactive element be reached and operated with a keyboard?
• Is color contrast sufficient for all users, including those with low vision?
• Do forms have descriptive labels and clear error messages?
• Are headings nested in a logical, hierarchical order?
• Is every page navigable with a screen reader, without confusion?
• Does your site avoid using color as the only means of conveying information?
• Are dynamic content updates properly announced to assistive tech?
• Is enough time available to read and interact with content?
• Are video and audio media provided with captions or transcripts?

Step-by-Step Accessibility QA Tips

Implement these steps in your quality assurance workflow to minimize accessibility risks and deliver better experiences.

1. Start every project by consulting the latest accessibility standards, like WCAG.
2. Create user stories that represent different abilities.
3. Use automated accessibility assessment tools, but never depend only on them.
4. Manually navigate your site or product with the tab key to reveal gaps.
5. Check all images and icons for meaningful alt text, not just presence of an alt attribute.
6. Verify color combinations using trustworthy contrast checkers.
7. Test layouts in both high-contrast mode and zoomed in up to 200%.
8. Try your product with at least one major screen reader software.
9. Document every issue and prioritize them by user impact and severity.
10. Retest after every change, using your accessibility audit checklist as a guide.

Relatable Persona Story

Lina, a young developer, was tasked with making her organization’s site accessible. Armed with a basic checklist, she thought running an automated scan would suffice. But after meeting Samuel, a colleague who relies on a screen reader, she realized her first attempt had missed several issues. With his guidance and practical accessibility QA tips, Lina learned the value of hands-on testing and user feedback. Now, Lina begins every project with a thorough accessibility audit checklist and invites people with different abilities to participate in research and testing.

Mini Case Study: Real World Impact of Avoiding Accessibility Mistakes

A regional government portal revamped its services for accessibility, starting with an honest audit. The first round exposed issues: unlabeled form fields, poor tab navigation, and unreadable colors. After implementing an accessibility audit checklist and embedding accessibility QA tips into their development process, user complaints dropped by 70%. Citizens with disabilities expressed newfound confidence in accessing services online, and the portal saw a significant uplift in engagement. The secret? Regular team training and never assuming “accessibility is done.”

Frequently Asked Questions: Accessibility Audit & QA

What is the most common oversight in accessibility testing?

Relying solely on automated tools is the most frequent mistake. Manual checks and real user feedback are crucial.

How often should I run an accessibility audit?

Audits should be performed early and often, ideally with every major release and anytime content or design changes.

Where can I learn more about accessible design and QA strategies?

Many organizations provide excellent resources. For actionable guides, tips, and support, visit AIA11y.

Conclusion: Master Accessibility Testing with a Reliable Checklist

Avoiding the most common accessibility testing mistakes comes down to following a proven accessibility audit checklist and using practical accessibility QA tips throughout your workflow. Remember, accessibility isn’t a one-off task—it’s an ongoing commitment to all users. By adopting a repeatable approach, you empower everyone to experience your content fully and fairly.
Ready to take your accessibility efforts further? For guidance and resources, visit aia11y.com.