Automated Accessibility Testing,
the first step
Digital accessibility ensures that everyone, including people with disabilities, can access websites and online services. Automated tools like WebAIM (WAVE), Axe, and Lighthouse help organisations quickly find accessibility issues. They are fast, easy to use, and good at identifying obvious technical problems.
However, automated tools only catch the low-hanging fruit. True accessibility requires human testing, clear content, and user-focused design.
Read on to understand why automated tools are helpful, their limits, and how DASAT supports organisations in achieving real digital inclusion.
What They Do Well
Automated tools scan website code against Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). They excel at spotting:
· Missing alternative text on images
· Form fields without labels
· Buttons lacking accessible names
· Low text contrast
· Missing page titles or language settings
· These checks are fast and reliable. Fixing them improves baseline accessibility and removes common barriers.
For guidance on automated accessibility testing, visit DASAT Accessibility Training
Limitations
Automated tools cannot understand context or user experience. They cannot reliably detect:
- Meaningful alternative text
- Logical keyboard navigation
- Clear screen reader interactions
- Easy-to-follow instructions
- Helpful error messages
- Tasks that are overwhelming or confusing
Automated tools detect only about 20–30% of all accessibility issues (source: W3C Automated Testing). Most problems remain hidden without human testing.
Legal compliance cannot rely solely on automated scans. Disability discrimination laws focus on outcomes. If a person cannot access a service, automated tools do not remove responsibility (source: Australian Human Rights Commission).
Learn more about accessibility compliance at DASAT Consultancy Services.
Case Studies
Case Study 1: A website that passed the scan
A government site reported zero errors after an automated scan. However, a blind user could not complete a form because instructions were not read by the screen reader. Automated tools missed this barrier.
Case Study 2: Keyboard users locked out
An organisation fixed all issues flagged by Axe and Lighthouse. A user with limited hand movement could not navigate a menu using a keyboard. Human testing revealed a critical accessibility problem missed by automation.
Discover DASAT’s human testing approach through DASAT Accessibility Training.
Using Automation Effectively
Automated tools should be part of a layered accessibility strategy:
- Catch basic issues early with automated tools.
- Conduct manual and human testing.
- Fix problems based on real user experience.
- Continue testing as the website evolves.
Working with professional accessibility auditors is a key part of accessibility testing. These companies use a standardised approach that covers all disability types, not just the obvious ones. A good audit combines automated checks with manual testing and real user testing to ensure the website works for people with vision, hearing, mobility, and cognitive disabilities.
It also helps when auditors have lived experience of disability, meaning they have disabilities themselves. When auditors understand accessibility from real life, they can spot barriers that may not appear in a checklist or automated scan, and they can explain how the barrier affects real users. This makes the testing more accurate, more reliable, and more useful for improving accessibility in a meaningful way.
A standardised audit often looks like this:
A scoping meeting to understand the website, the users, and the key tasks
Automated scanning to catch basic issues quickly
Manual testing by accessibility specialists to check structure, navigation, and content clarity
Testing with people with lived experience of disability to validate real-world usability
A clear report that ranks issues by severity and includes practical fixes
Follow-up testing to confirm fixes work as intended
This kind of independent auditing is more consistent and reliable than relying only on internal checks or self-assessment. It provides a clear, evidence-based view of accessibility that supports ongoing improvement.
Automation supports accessibility but cannot replace expert guidance and user feedback.
Explore DASAT Digital Accessibility Services for comprehensive solutions.
The Bottom Line
Automated accessibility tools are valuable for finding common problems quickly. They only detect low-hanging fruit.
True digital accessibility needs human testing, user-focused design, and clear content. DASAT helps organisations move from basic automated checks to full digital inclusion, ensuring services are accessible to everyone.