Website Accessibility Test: Real Insights From Disabled Users

Why Manual Testing Matters

Most other companies that offer a website accessibility test typically rely on automated assessments and perhaps some simulated experiences of disabled users. While these methods can provide some insight, they fall short of truly understanding the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities. It is akin to assuming that spending 30 minutes in a wheelchair gives a full comprehension of what life is like for someone who relies on it permanently.

We firmly believe that the only reliable way to test the accessibility of a website is through testing by individuals with disabilities, recording their experiences, and presenting the findings. That is precisely what we offer.

If you are interested in witnessing the expertise of our accessibility testing team, we have a compilation to share with you. These examples, drawn from recent audits, highlight common issues that can significantly impede disabled individuals' online experiences.

Sadly, these challenges are far from uncommon, despite accessibility guidelines being in place since 1999. We recognise that ignorance of these issues often leads to unintentional exclusion. We are here to bridge that gap through real-world manual accessibility testing.

You Might Only Be 25 Percent of the Way There

You will have probably read about the number of automated accessibility checks available and you may be feeling rather daunted by them. This is understandable, but please remember that these guidelines are there primarily to form the basis for your website Accessibility Statement. This explains to a visitor what shortcomings there may be in your site accessibility test results, so that they are always aware of them.

Automated checks, no matter how sophisticated, will only go so far — maybe even no more than 25 percent of the potential issues. To fully understand how accessible your site really is, thorough manual accessibility testing is required. It is only at this point where deep flaws may be revealed. We have reviewed websites that appear to pass many, if not all, automated checks and yet are completely inaccessible to someone with a disability. This not only undermines the efforts to achieve compliance — it leaves you exposed to legal risk.

Caught in a Loop

To give an example, we reviewed a website that passed nearly all the automated metrics and, on the face of it, looked to be perfectly acceptable. There was, unfortunately, a cookie banner placed at the bottom of the screen that would be ignored by most people. However, for a screen reader user, tabbing through the website took them immediately to the cookie banner before anything else. Tabbing past that then took them to their Cookie Policy and stayed on that page in a permanent loop. Although there was an Accessibility Statement, it was impossible for a screen reader user to even access it. The statement, in this case, was nine pages long!

Are Your Icons Used Correctly?

Icons are another example. If an icon is shown next to some text and it is relevant to the text, such as a phone icon next to a number, or a letter icon beside an email address, it can help people understand the nature of the content. If it is not relevant or is used inconsistently, it can create confusion. You would have no way of knowing this without a proper website accessibility test. Automated checkers cannot evaluate the context in which an image is used — that takes human insight.

Why Manual Checking is So Important

Manual checking is essential if you want to uncover every meaningful accessibility issue. If these issues are identified and documented in your Accessibility Statement, you are protected from legal action. This is not about appearing incompetent — it is the opposite. Acknowledging the existence of issues and offering alternatives shows you are inclusive, approachable, and genuinely committed to access.

A professional auditor may find additional problems through thorough testing, but even the most experienced will not spot everything without help from disabled users. This is why our site accessibility test includes accessibility testing by disabled users. Their lived experience brings a level of depth no tool or simulation can match.

A Website Accessibility Test by Real Disabled People!

Our team includes skilled users of assistive technology, who are experienced in navigating different websites. They test accessibility of a website based on their daily usage patterns, giving impartial feedback and practical suggestions that often go beyond the standards. This is invaluable for development teams.

We also conduct live audits and record structured videos for reference — so your team can see and hear real user feedback. This is where our website accessibility test stands out.

If you have never seen a disabled user interact with your site, now is the time. A different perspective can change everything.

Meet Our Team

Mede

Superpower: Blindness

Weapons: JAWS + Keyboard

Mede has been blind since she developed a degenerative eye condition as a child.

She completed her Master’s Degree in Marketing at Sussex University this year.

She also uses the screen reader JAWS, in conjunction with a keyboard, to interact with websites.

She is passionate about disability. Accessibility in Marketing is something she is able to give a unique perspective on.

Iona

Superpower: Cannot use hands

Weapons: Voice and Dragon Dictation Software

Iona can speak 17 languages. She also used to photograph some of the world’s biggest rock bands.

Following a brain injury some years ago, she has a hand disability. Accessibility is restricted by the limited use of her hands and using them causes pain. In effect, she is unable to use a keyboard or a mouse. Instead, Iona uses Dragon Dictation software to navigate a website.

She also has ADHD and a colour contrast check is one of the first things she does. She does not need to use a contrast ratio checker because she knows that poor contrast makes her feel tired more quickly.

Sara

Superpower: Neurodivergent

Weapon: Dark Mode

Sara is an engineer. She also has extreme ADHD and dyspraxia and finds certain elements of websites, such as pop-up windows, very distracting.

She also finds white backgrounds give her a headache and she always performs a colour contrast check, as poor contrast will affect her ability to read the page clearly. Like Iona, she does not need a contrast ratio checker as poor contrast affects her almost immediately.

Although she can use both a keyboard and a mouse, she often has to copy the text from a page and paste it into an application such as Microsoft Word, just so she can absorb the information correctly.

Lleona

Superpower: Blind

Weapons: NVDA Screen readers, keyboard

Lleona was diagnosed with retinoblastoma and was blinded due to retinal detachment when she was a child. She is an Associate in Computer Technology, an active advocate within the disability community and the lead writer/conceptualist of VIFAL's YouTube channel.

In addition to the Live Audits, she also records some insightful audio reviews of PDFs and other documents.

Krista

Superpower: Blind

Weapons: JAWS and NVDA screen readers, keyboard

Krista is a blind skier and a copywriter. She uses both JAWS and NVDA screen readers in conjunction with a keyboard. She also shoots and edits her own videos.

She reads websites with her screen reader at such a fast pace normally that she has to slow it down by 65 percent so I can understand it when we are recording a live audit!

Watch this amazing video clip to see her doing exactly that!

This is how you can truly help implement accessibility standards — across the UK and globally.

Every website accessibility test our team conducts brings insights you cannot get any other way.

Call us today on 01243 766399 and find out how we can help you!