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Accessibility Insights for Web is a free browser extension created by Microsoft to help web developers and designers test and improve the accessibility of their websites. The tool provides automated tests and manual checks to evaluate compliance with web accessibility standards. It offers a sidebar panel displaying accessibility issues, pre-defined accessibility tests, and a manual testing mode to simulate various accessibility scenarios. The tool is a valuable resource for ensuring websites are accessible to all users, including those with disabilities.

Installation

To get started, first, you'll need to install the Accessibility Insights for Web extension. It is available for both Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge. Once installed, you'll see the Accessibility Insights icon in your browser's toolbar.

Using Automated Tests

The extension includes a set of automated tests that evaluate your website's accessibility against WCAG standards. To run the automated tests, click the Accessibility Insights icon in the toolbar and select "Run Accessibility Insights" from the dropdown menu.

The tool will analyze your website and display any accessibility issues found in the sidebar panel. You can click on each issue to see detailed information about the problem and suggested remediation steps.

Using Manual Checks

Accessibility Insights for Web also offers a manual testing mode that allows you to simulate various accessibility scenarios. To use the manual testing mode, click the "Start Manual Test" button in the sidebar panel.

The manual testing mode allows you to test your website's accessibility using keyboard navigation, screen readers, and other assistive technologies. You can also use this mode to test for color contrast, image alt text, and other accessibility issues that cannot be detected by automated tests.

Fixing Accessibility Issues

Once you've identified accessibility issues using Accessibility Insights for Web, the next step is to fix them. The tool provides detailed information about each issue, including suggested remediation steps and links to related resources.

Some issues may require changes to your website's code, while others may be fixed through changes to your website's content or design. It's important to prioritize and address the most critical accessibility issues first.

Testing Your Website's Accessibility

After you've made changes to your website, it's important to test its accessibility again using Accessibility Insights for Web. This will help ensure that the changes you've made have improved your website's accessibility and have not introduced any new issues.