Accessibility Audit

An accessibilityservice×AccessibilityFind accessibility issues early, improve usability, and build products that are more inclusive, usable, and compliant.Open service→ audit is a UX method used to evaluate how well a product meets accessibilityglossary×AccessibilityAccessibility is the practice of designing products so they can be used by people with a wide range of abilities, including those with disabilities. It ensures that content and functionality are available to as many users as possible.Open glossary term→ standards and supports users with a wide range of needs.

It involves reviewing interfacesglossary×InterfaceAn interface is the point of interaction between a user and a system, where inputs are made and outputs are received. It can be visual, physical, or conversational.Open glossary term→, interactionsglossary×InteractionInteraction refers to any action a user takes within a product and how the system responds. It includes clicks, taps, gestures, and inputs that drive the user experience.Open glossary term→, and content against recognised guidelines such as WCAGglossary×WCAGWCAG is a set of guidelines for making digital content accessible to people with disabilities.Open glossary term→.

The audit looks at areas like keyboard navigationglossary×NavigationHow users move around a website or product.Open glossary term→, screen readerglossary×Screen ReaderA screen reader is software that reads digital content aloud for users who cannot see the screen.Open glossary term→ compatibility, colour contrast, structure, and clarityglossary×ClarityClarity is how easily users can understand what is happening and what they need to do.Open glossary term→.

It combines automated tools with manual review to identify issues that affect usabilityglossary×UsabilityUsability is how easy and efficient it is for users to complete tasks within a product. It focuses on clarity, simplicity, and reducing effort so users can achieve their goals without confusion or friction.Open glossary term→ and compliance.

The focus is on making the product usable for everyone, not just meeting minimum standards.

The goal is to identify barriers and define what needs to be fixed.

Use this method when inclusivity and compliance matter.

It is most useful when:

Set up properly.

Before you start, be clear on the scope of the audit, the standards you are measuring against, and the tools and methods to use.

Ensure you cover real user scenarios.

Run the method.

Accessibilityservice×AccessibilityFind accessibility issues early, improve usability, and build products that are more inclusive, usable, and compliant.Open service→ audits are systematic and detailed.

Review interfacesglossary×InterfaceAn interface is the point of interaction between a user and a system, where inputs are made and outputs are received. It can be visual, physical, or conversational.Open glossary term→ against accessibilityservice×AccessibilityFind accessibility issues early, improve usability, and build products that are more inclusive, usable, and compliant.Open service→ guidelines. Test keyboard navigationglossary×NavigationHow users move around a website or product.Open glossary term→ and focus states. Check screen reader behaviour. Assess colour contrast and readability. Use automated tools to identify issues. Manually validate findings.

Focus on real usabilityglossary×UsabilityUsability is how easy and efficient it is for users to complete tasks within a product. It focuses on clarity, simplicity, and reducing effort so users can achieve their goals without confusion or friction.Open glossary term→, not just compliance.

Capture and make sense of it.

The value comes from clear, actionable insightglossary×InsightAn insight is a meaningful understanding that explains why something is happening and what it means.Open glossary term→.

After the audit: document issues and their severity, explain impact on users, prioritise fixes, and provide recommendations.

Use this to improve accessibilityservice×AccessibilityFind accessibility issues early, improve usability, and build products that are more inclusive, usable, and compliant.Open service→ and compliance.

Focus on:

Most issues come from:

If it’s only about compliance, you miss the point.

Done properly, this method gives you:

If this sounds like something you need, we can run a full accessibilityservice×AccessibilityFind accessibility issues early, improve usability, and build products that are more inclusive, usable, and compliant.Open service→ audit and help you fix the issues that are holding users back.

No guesswork. No assumptions. Just inclusive designservice×AccessibilityFind accessibility issues early, improve usability, and build products that are more inclusive, usable, and compliant.Open service→ that works for everyone.