Crowd-sourced Web Accessibility
Crowd-sourced accessibility testing of interactive HTML components
Type of project: Prototype
Disabilities concerned: Auditory disability, Mental disability, Motor disability, Visual disability
Topics: Communication, Travel, Education, Leisure, Work
Status: Completed
The aim of this project was to develop a prototype web platform providing publicly accessible information on the results of accessibility tests on open source web components.
When developing web applications, it is common to use freely available web components, such as message dialogue boxes or configurable components for date selection. The use of these components is necessary because the standard components available in browsers do not meet the requirements of modern web applications. Unfortunately, there is often a lack of comprehensible information describing the accessibility of additional components. Traceability of accessibility is important, as it encompasses different aspects that need to be tested differently (for example, keyboard use and compatibility with screen readers).
The aim of this project was to develop a prototype web platform providing publicly accessible information on the results of accessibility tests on open source web components. The platform is unique in that information on accessibility tests is collected through crowdsourcing. Web developers can easily carry out the tests, as easy-to-follow accessibility test procedures are made available for the classes of web components concerned. The test criteria and procedures can be entered by experienced accessibility experts and contain references to quality sources such as the WCAG rules and the ARIA Authoring Practices Guide (APG).
Thanks to the integrated scoring system, web developers are motivated to carry out the missing accessibility tests for the web components that interest them. The tests they have carried out are then made available to all visitors to the platform. Divergent test results are presented transparently to increase the credibility of the results. The component test criteria can also be easily commented on, adapted and added to.
Funding has enabled the creation of an online version of the prototype, which will be available at the following URL: https://cactus.ost.ch. The prototype will now be extended and developed by the students to make the platform an internationally visible reference for information on the accessibility of Web components.
Contact info
OST
Markus Stolze
markus.stolze@ost.ch