Why Disabled People Are Essential to Real Web Accessibility Testing
We are fortunate to work alongside an incredible team of disabled testers who are experts in identifying real-world access barriers. Their insight goes far beyond what automated scans or technical audits can provide.
In this article, we explore why involving disabled users is not only the most ethical approach, it is also the most effective. We also discuss the importance of inclusive design principles and why genuine insight begins where checklists end.
Beyond Automation: Real People, Real Access
There are many tools available that claim to check a website for accessibility. These accessibility testing tools can help spot certain issues like missing alt text or poor colour contrast. However, these tools typically detect only around 30% of the problems that affect disabled users.
The rest? You will only uncover those by speaking to the people who experience the barriers directly.
That is where our team comes in.
Our disabled testers use screen readers, keyboard navigation, magnification software, and other assistive tech daily. They test websites manually, in real-world conditions, and offer feedback based on lived experience — not just code analysis.
The Role of Inclusive Design Principles
Inclusive design is about building digital services that work for everyone, regardless of ability, age, or device. The best inclusive design principles start with one question:
Who might struggle to use this?
When you include disabled testers early in your process, you catch things that developers and designers often miss. A confusing link, a hidden form label, a complex CAPTCHA — these might not be flagged by a tool, but they can completely stop someone from completing a task.
Inclusive design is not a feature. It is a mindset. And it needs to be backed by real feedback from real users.
How Our Web Audits Work
Every web audit we carry out starts with testing by our disabled team. This is followed by expert evaluation against the latest WCAG 2.2 guidelines and a detailed roadmap showing what to fix and why.
The very first time website accessibility is considered in our process, it is through the lens of people with lived experience.
We also include video recordings of the testing process — so clients can see exactly how their site performs in practice, not just on paper.
Benefits for Organisations
- Prevent legal risk by identifying real compliance failures
- Strengthen reputation by showing clear commitment to inclusion
- Improve usability for all users, not just those with disabilities
- Uncover hidden technical debt and inefficiencies in your site
Put simply: what is good for accessibility is good for everyone.
Case in Point
Recently, one of our testers reviewed a major charity’s donation process. Everything passed automated checks — yet it was impossible to complete using a screen reader. The problem? A single unlabelled radio button.
This is exactly the kind of issue accessibility testing tools miss.
Had this not been flagged during testing, the charity could have faced complaints, reputational damage, or worse — lost donations from the very people it was trying to support.
A Note on Language
You might be familiar with the term web audit. This is often used as a catch-all phrase. We prefer to talk about manual audits because what we do goes far beyond ticking boxes. It is about people, not just standards.
If you are searching for help with digital access, what you really need is insight from the people you aim to serve. That is where the real value lies.
Start Your Web Audit Today
If you want to know how inclusive your site really is, let’s talk.
We offer practical audits, expert support, and a fully accessible roadmap to help you reach compliance — and keep it. The first step? Speak to someone who uses your site differently.