Skip to content

Accessibility Testing

Testing accessibility in web applications ensures that your application meets the needs of all users, including those with disabilities. Below are guidelines and tools for accessibility testing in React applications.

1. Automated Testing Tools

Automated tools can quickly identify common accessibility issues. While they don't catch everything, they are an excellent starting point.

1.1 Lighthouse

  • Lighthouse is a built-in tool in Chrome DevTools for auditing web applications, including accessibility.
To use
  1. Open DevTools (F12 or Ctrl + Shift + I on Windows, Cmd + Option + I on macOS).
  2. Go to the Lighthouse tab.
  3. Select Accessibility and click Generate Report.

1.2 axe Browser Extension

axe is a browser extension for Chrome and Firefox that identifies accessibility issues.

Steps
  1. Install the axe extension from the browser's extension store.
  2. Open your web application and the axe tool in DevTools.
  3. Run the analysis to get a detailed report.

1.3 ESLint Plugin for Accessibility

  • Use the eslint-plugin-jsx-a11y plugin to catch accessibility issues during development.

  • Install and configure:

    pnpm add eslint-plugin-jsx-a11y -D

    Add to your ESLint configuration:

    {
  "plugins": ["jsx-a11y"],
  "extends": ["plugin:jsx-a11y/recommended"]
}

2. Manual Testing

Manual testing ensures that your application is accessible beyond what automated tools can detect.

2.1 Keyboard Navigation

  • Test the app by navigating using the keyboard (Tab, Shift + Tab, Enter, Space):

    • All interactive elements should be focusable.
    • The focus order should follow a logical sequence.
    • Verify that Esc key closes modals or dropdowns.

2.2 Screen Reader Testing

  • Test with popular screen readers:

    • NVDA (Windows)
    • VoiceOver (macOS/iOS)
    • JAWS (Windows)

  • Ensure elements are announced correctly and in the proper order.

2.3 Color Contrast Testing

  • Check that text has sufficient contrast against its backgroun

  • Use tools like:

    • WebAIM Contrast Checker
    • Chrome DevTools' Accessibility pane.

2.4 Responsive Design

  • Test your application on various screen sizes to ensure accessibility on all devices.
  • Ensure touch targets (e.g., buttons) are large enough for users with motor impairments.

3. Accessibility Testing in CI/CD Pipelines

Integrate accessibility testing into your CI/CD workflow to catch issues early.

3.1 axe Core

  • Use the axe-core library to programmatically test accessibility.

  • Installation:

    pnpm add axe-core

  • Example Usage:

    import axe from "axe-core";

const results = await axe.run(document);
console.log(results.violations);

3.2 Pa11y

  • Pa11y is an automated accessibility testing tool that integrates well with CI/CD.

  • Installation:

    pnpm add pa11y -D

  • Example:

    pa11y https://example.com

4. Testing with User Assistive Technology

Collaborate with users who rely on assistive technologies to test your application. Real-world feedback can reveal issues that are not apparent during automated or manual testing.

5. Accessibility Testing Checklist

By combining automated tools, manual testing, and user feedback, you can ensure that your React application is accessible to a diverse audience.