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Limitations of All Automated WCAG Accessibility Testing
Limitations of All Automated WCAG Accessibility Testing
Product Enablement avatar
Written by Product Enablement
Updated over a week ago

When using an automated tool like ObservePoint for accessibility testing, it's important to recognize that while the tool can efficiently identify many common accessibility issues, certain aspects still require human input for accurate assessment. These include:

1. Visual Checks: Automated tools cannot fully assess visual elements like color contrast, text readability, and the clarity of visual focus indicators, which may require human judgment to ensure they are perceivable to all users.

2. Content and Context Understanding: Human testers are needed to evaluate whether content is clear, meaningful, and presented in a logical reading order. This includes verifying that headings are used properly, alternative text for images is appropriate, and links make sense in context.

3. Keyboard Accessibility: While ObservePoint can identify some keyboard navigation issues, human testers must manually check if all interactive elements are reachable and usable via keyboard, ensuring that the experience is consistent and intuitive for keyboard-only users.

4. Dynamic Content and Interactions: Automated tools may not always detect issues with dynamic content, such as modals, pop-ups, or live regions. Human intervention is required to ensure that these elements are accessible and appropriately announced by screen readers.

5. Voice Recognition and Assistive Technology Compatibility: Verifying that all elements are accessible to users of voice recognition software and various assistive technologies requires manual testing, as automated tools cannot simulate these user interactions comprehensively.

6. Focus Management: Human input is essential to determine if the focus is managed correctly throughout the application, ensuring that users with disabilities can navigate without losing track of their current location.

In summary, while tools like ObservePoint are valuable for detecting many accessibility issues, comprehensive testing still relies on human input to address areas where human judgment, context understanding, and manual verification are critical.

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