Web Accessibility
Fostering an Inclusive Digital Environment
Why Web Accessibility Matters
Web accessibility is essential to building an inclusive digital environment at Cal Poly Pomona. By designing accessible websites and applications, we support equity and empower all users to fully participate in university life.
Web Accessibility Testing Process
The ATI testing process follows WCAG 2.1 Level AA guidelines to ensure digital content is accessible to all users, including those with disabilities.
Testing begins with automated testing using tools like WAVE or ANDI to catch common issues such as low color contrast, missing alt text, and improper form labeling. Manual testing follows to review keyboard navigation, heading structure, tab order, visible focus, and proper use of semantic HTML. The process also includes testing with assistive technologies like screen readers (e.g., NVDA or VoiceOver) to confirm compatibility and usability.
Identified issues are documented with recommended solutions and passed to development teams for remediation. After updates are made, the content is retested to confirm compliance. Ongoing testing helps ensure continued compliance as content or functionality changes.
ATI Evaluation Tools
- NVDA - A free and open-source screen reader that reads aloud content on the screen and provides keyboard-based navigation for users who are blind or visually impaired. It allows developers and testers to experience digital content the way screen reader users do, enabling accessibility evaluations based on real user interaction.
- Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool (WAVE) - Exposes errors and highlights content where accessibility considerations require human judgment.
- Accessible Color Picker - This tool allows you to select foreground and background colors and will determine the color contrast ratio between them. If your colors do not have sufficient contrast, this tool will suggest similar colors that are compliant.
- Colour Contrast Analyser (CCA) - A tool for checking foreground and background color combinations to determine if they provide good color visibility for conformance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
- WCAG 2 at a Glance - Paraphrased summary of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2 (WCAG 2)
- Web Accessibility in Mind (WebAIM)
- Using WAI-ARIA in HTML - Document guide for developers to incorporate ARIA into their HTML5 code to improve accessibility of web pages. Source: W3C.
- Essential Components of Web Accessibility - This document shows how Web accessibility depends on several components working together and how improvements in specific components could substantially improve Web accessibility.
- Research-Based Web Design & Usability Guidelines (Chapter 3) (PDF)
- Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) - Works with organizations around the world to develop strategies, guidelines, and resources to help make the Web accessible to people with disabilities.
- Disability Etiquette Handbook (PDF) - A glossary of acceptable terms developed by the City of San Antonio Disability Access Office.