---
name: "Accessibility Testing Superpower"
description: |
Performs WCAG compliance audits and accessibility remediation for web applications.
Use when: 1) Auditing UI for WCAG 2.1/2.2 compliance 2) Fixing screen reader or keyboard navigation issues 3) Implementing ARIA patterns correctly 4) Reviewing color contrast and visual accessibility 5) Creating accessible forms or interactive components
---
# Accessibility Testing Workflow
## Configuration
- **WCAG Level**:
- **Component Under Test**:
- **Compliance Standard**:
- **Minimum Lighthouse Score**:
- **Primary Screen Reader**:
- **Test Framework**:
## Audit Decision Tree
```
Accessibility request received
|
+-- New component/page?
| +-- Run automated scan first (axe-core, Lighthouse)
| +-- Keyboard navigation test
| +-- Screen reader announcement check
| +-- Color contrast verification
|
+-- Existing violation to fix?
| +-- Identify WCAG success criterion
| +-- Check if semantic HTML solves it
| +-- Apply ARIA only when HTML insufficient
| +-- Verify fix with assistive technology
|
+-- Compliance audit?
+-- Automated scan (catches ~30% of issues)
+-- Manual testing checklist
+-- Document violations by severity
+-- Create remediation roadmap
```
## WCAG Quick Reference
### Severity Classification
| Severity | Impact | Examples | Fix Timeline |
|----------|--------|----------|--------------|
| Critical | Blocks access entirely | No keyboard focus, empty buttons, missing alt on functional images | Immediate |
| Serious | Major barriers | Poor contrast, missing form labels, no skip links | Within sprint |
| Moderate | Difficult but usable | Inconsistent navigation, unclear error messages | Next release |
| Minor | Inconvenience | Redundant alt text, minor heading order issues | Backlog |
### Common Violations and Fixes
**Missing accessible name**
```html
<!-- Violation -->
<button><svg>...</svg></button>
<!-- Fix: aria-label -->
<button aria-label="Close dialog"><svg>...</svg></button>
<!-- Fix: visually hidden text -->
<button><span class="sr-only">Close dialog</span><svg>...</svg></button>
```
**Form label association**
```html
<!-- Violation -->
<label>Email</label>
<input type="email">
<!-- Fix: explicit association -->
<label for="email">Email</label>
<input type="email" id="email">
<!-- Fix: implicit association -->
<label>Email <input type="email"></label>
```
**Color contrast failure**
```
Minimum ratios (WCAG
):
- Normal text (<
px or <
px bold):
:1
- Large text (>=
px or >=
px bold):
:1
- UI components and graphics: 3:1
Tools: WebAIM Contrast Checker, browser DevTools
```
**Focus visibility**
```css
/* Never do this without alternative */
:focus { outline: none; }
/* Proper custom focus */
:focus-visible {
outline:
px solid
;
outline-offset:
px;
}
```
## ARIA Decision Framework
```
Need to convey information to assistive technology?
|
+-- Can semantic HTML do it?
| +-- YES: Use HTML (<button>, <nav>, <main>, <article>)
| +-- NO: Continue to ARIA
|
+-- What type of ARIA needed?
+-- Role: What IS this element? (role="dialog", role="tab")
+-- State: What condition? (aria-expanded, aria-checked)
+-- Property: What relationship? (aria-labelledby, aria-describedby)
+-- Live region: Dynamic content? (aria-live="
")
```
### ARIA Patterns for Common Widgets
**Disclosure (show/hide)**
```html
<button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="content-1">
Show details
</button>
<div id="content-1" hidden>
Content here
</div>
```
**Tab interface**
```html
<div role="tablist" aria-label="
">
<button role="tab" aria-selected="true" aria-controls="panel-1" id="tab-1">
General
</button>
<button role="tab" aria-selected="false" aria-controls="panel-2" id="tab-2" tabindex="-1">
Privacy
</button>
</div>
<div role="tabpanel" id="panel-1" aria-labelledby="tab-1">...</div>
<div role="tabpanel" id="panel-2" aria-labelledby="tab-2" hidden>...</div>
```
**Modal dialog**
```html
<div role="dialog" aria-modal="true" aria-labelledby="dialog-title">
<h2 id="dialog-title">Confirm action</h2>
<p>Are you sure you want to proceed?</p>
<button>Cancel</button>
<button>Confirm</button>
</div>
```
## Keyboard Navigation Checklist
```
[ ] All interactive elements focusable with Tab
[ ] Focus order matches visual/logical order
[ ] Focus visible on all elements
[ ] No keyboard traps (can always Tab out)
[ ] Skip link as first focusable element
[ ] Escape closes modals/dropdowns
[ ] Arrow keys navigate within widgets (tabs, menus, grids)
[ ] Enter/Space activates buttons and links
[ ] Custom shortcuts documented and configurable
```
### Focus Management Patterns
**Modal focus trap**
```javascript
// On modal open:
// 1. Save previously focused element
// 2. Move focus to first focusable in modal
// 3. Trap Tab within modal boundaries
// On modal close:
// 1. Return focus to saved element
```
**Dynamic content**
```javascript
// After adding content:
// - Announce via aria-live region, OR
// - Move focus to new content heading
// After removing content:
// - Move focus to logical next element
// - Never leave focus on removed element
```
## Screen Reader Testing
### Announcement Verification
| Element | Should Announce |
|---------|-----------------|
| Button | Role + name + state ("Submit button") |
| Link | Name + "link" ("Home page link") |
| Image | Alt text OR "decorative" (skip) |
| Heading | Level + text ("Heading level 2, About us") |
| Form field | Label + type + state + instructions |
| Error | Error message + field association |
### Testing Commands (Quick Reference)
**VoiceOver (macOS)**
- VO = Ctrl + Option
- VO + A: Read all
- VO + Right/Left: Navigate elements
- VO + Cmd + H: Next heading
- VO + Cmd + J: Next form control
**
(Windows)**
- NVDA + Down: Read all
- Tab: Next focusable
- H: Next heading
- F: Next form field
- B: Next button
## Automated Testing Integration
### axe-core in tests
```javascript
//
import { axe, toHaveNoViolations } from 'jest-axe';
expect.extend(toHaveNoViolations);
test('
is accessible', async () => {
const { container } = render(<
/>);
const results = await axe(container);
expect(results).toHaveNoViolations();
});
```
### Lighthouse CI threshold
```javascript
// lighthouserc.js
module.exports = {
assertions: {
'categories:accessibility': ['error', { minScore:
/ 100 }],
},
};
```
## Remediation Priority Matrix
```
Impact vs Effort:
Low Effort High Effort
High Impact | DO FIRST | PLAN NEXT |
| alt text | redesign |
| labels | nav rebuild |
----------------|--------------|---------------|
Low Impact | QUICK WIN | BACKLOG |
| contrast | nice-to-have|
| tweaks | enhancements|
```
## Verification Checklist
Before marking accessibility work complete:
```
Automated Testing:
[ ] axe-core reports zero violations
[ ] Lighthouse accessibility >=
[ ] HTML validator passes (affects AT parsing)
Keyboard Testing:
[ ] Full task completion without mouse
[ ] Visible focus at all times
[ ] Logical tab order
[ ] No traps
Screen Reader Testing:
[ ] Tested with at least one screen reader (
)
[ ] All content announced correctly
[ ] Interactive elements have roles/states
[ ] Dynamic updates announced
Visual Testing:
[ ] Contrast ratios verified (
:1 minimum)
[ ] Works at
% zoom
[ ] No information conveyed by color alone
[ ] Respects prefers-reduced-motion
```
