Automated Accessibility Testing

Digital accessibility is becoming increasingly important. Companies that make their websites and applications accessible not only comply with legal requirements, but also contribute to a fairer society and increase their business success. mgm supports this with innovative testing methods that streamline the implementation of accessibility. But how exactly does testing work at mgm, and what are the success stories?

Digital accessibility isn’t a niche issue – it affects a broad user base. In Germany, 10.4 million people live with disabilities, 97% of them acquired later in life. Many people face new challenges due to illness or age. The 50+ generation, with an annual spending power of €720 billion, stands to benefit from accessible digital offerings. Companies that prioritize accessibility not only do good, but also see economic benefits.

Who benefits from accessibility?

Digital accessibility ensures that all people, regardless of their limitations, can access information and services. People with disabilities are the primary beneficiaries:

1. Blind and visually impaired people need clear text alternatives for visual content, such as alt text and well-structured, screen reader-compatible websites.
2. The deaf and hard of hearing benefit from captioning, sign language videos, or written alternatives to audio content.
3. People with physical disabilities need easy-to-use navigation without complex mouse movements or gestures. Keyboard-friendly interfaces are essential.
4. People with cognitive impairments need clear, structured content, simple language, and understandable navigation elements to avoid overwhelming experiences.
5. People with temporary limitations (e.g., injuries or age-related impairments) also benefit from accessible content.

Legal Requirements for Digital Accessibility

Digital accessibility is both a moral and a legal obligation. EU Directive 2016/2102 requires all public sector websites and applications in the European Union to be accessible to people with disabilities. In Germany, this is enforced by the Equal Opportunities for Disabled Persons Act (BGG) and the Barrier-Free Information Technology Ordinance (BITV).

The private sector faces similar pressure: The European Accessibility Act (EAA), enforced by the Barrier-Free Strengthening Act (BFSG), requires companies to make digital products and services, such as e-commerce websites, accessible by June 28, 2025. Micro-enterprises and B2B applications are partially exempt from this regulation.

Web Accessibility Standards

Web accessibility follows internationally recognized standards, primarily the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1 / 2.2). These guidelines are divided into four main categories

1. Perceivable
2. Operable
3. Understandable
4. Robust

They ensure that content is accessible, easy to navigate, and understandable for people with different disabilities. EN 301 549 goes further by integrating WCAG guidelines and defining specific accessibility requirements. Both BITV and BFSG refer to these harmonized standards to ensure that legal requirements are met on a consistent, verifiable basis.

Accessibility testing and test cases at mgm

mgm already performs extensive accessibility testing. Currently, 40% of the tests are fully automated, allowing for efficient testing against standards. Another 30% of the tests can be automated to further optimize the testing process. However, 30% remain manual, as some aspects, such as usability for people with specific disabilities, require human judgement.

Automated Test Case Examples

1. Document titles: This test checks that each page has a clear and descriptive title, which improves usability and accessibility.
2. Primary Language: Ensures that the primary language of the site is indicated correctly, improving content understanding and search engine indexing.
3. Contrast of text, graphics, and interactive elements: Evaluates color combinations to ensure sufficient contrast for readability, especially for visually impaired users.
4. Label to Input Linking: Verifies that labels are correctly linked to their corresponding input fields, improving form usability and accessibility.
5. Programmatically identifiable names for interactive elements: Ensures that interactive elements such as buttons are labeled with unique, programmatically identifiable names, improving navigation for screen reader users.
6. Required Field Marking: Verifies that required fields on forms are clearly marked, helping users provide the information they need and avoid errors during submission.

Test cases for future automation

1. Screen Orientation – Portrait Mode: Ensures that the interface displays correctly when the device is in portrait mode, ensuring that content and elements fit the screen and are easily accessible.
2. Screen Orientation – Landscape Mode: Evaluates the interface in landscape mode, ensuring that content adapts well and provides an optimal user experience in this orientation.

Difficult to Automate Test Cases

1. Touch interaction on mobile devices: Evaluates the responsiveness and accuracy of touch input on mobile devices. Automation tools often struggle to capture the nuances of touch behavior, such as sensitivity and precise positioning.
2. Meaningful Text Alternatives for Informative Graphics: Ensures that informative graphics are accompanied by meaningful text alternatives. Evaluating whether the text accurately describes the graphic requires human judgment, as automation tools often fail to capture the context and relevance of alternative text.

Conclusion

Digital accessibility is both a legal obligation and a business opportunity. While automated testing can verify many aspects of accessibility, some elements, such as individual user experience, still depend on human judgment. Companies that embrace accessibility can reach new audiences and comply with legal standards.

Make your digital offerings accessible and attract new customers. Contact us now for customized solutions!