10 of the Top Digital Accessibility Testing Companies
There’s More than One Way to Approach Accessibility Testing
With hundreds of millions of individuals living with a physical or cognitive impairment, it’s critical to ensure your web and mobile products are accessible to everyone. Accessibility practices create a better user experience and brand reputation, drive increased traffic, and improve overall company revenue. Plus, it’s just the right thing to do.
We understand the significance of accessibility and the different needs different organizations and companies require. To assist in finding the best accessibility testing companies, we researched numerous digital accessibility companies worldwide, assessing their approaches to addressing accessibility.
During our research, we have required that the companies on our list employ a variety of strategies and solutions to ensure accessibility. Some companies specialize in providing software tools specifically designed to identify and rectify accessibility issues. These tools often include automated testing features that efficiently detect common accessibility barriers, allowing for swift remediation, but note that there are risks associated with relying on tools – check out our article on those risks.
On the other hand, there are companies like QualityLogic that focus on providing professional services for accessibility testing. They employ experienced human testers who utilize assistive technologies to meticulously evaluate the accessibility of digital products and identify any potential barriers that may hinder users with different physical and cognitive capabilities.
We are strong believers (and backed by data) that achieving true accessibility requires a blended approach to testing, combining both software tools and expert human testing. This comprehensive methodology ensures that all aspects of accessibility are thoroughly evaluated and addressed.
It is essential to consider the advantages and disadvantages of different types of solutions and the various accessibility providers available in the market. While software tools may offer quick detection of common accessibility issues, they will not capture all potential barriers. Professional services will provide in-depth analysis and detection of subtle accessibility issues, but the process can be time-consuming.
To achieve the best results, it is crucial to find a balance that suits the specific needs and requirements of each digital product or service. This may involve considering a combination of software tools and professional services to ensure a comprehensive approach to accessibility testing.
As we developed our list of the top 10 digital accessibility companies, we relied on the following criteria:
- Inclusion of team members with physical or cognitive impairments
- Location of the software testing team
- Digital accessibility experience
- Flexibility in service and response times
- Service, platform, or both
- Proficiency with assistive technology
While there is no particular order to this list, we are confident that the companies referenced, including QualityLogic’s accessibility services and advisory team, can help clients achieve their accessibility goals by getting the right people, processes, and technologies in place.
10 Top Digital Accessibility Companies
QualityLogic
Location: Boise, Idaho
Years in Business: 36
Solution Type: Digital Accessibility Services, Software Evaluation and Selection (Technology-Agnostic).
QualityLogic provides onshore digital accessibility services provided by a full-service team located in the United States. Rather than relying on a single generalist, your team gains immediate access to a range of deeply experienced accessibility practitioners to help with all aspects of the software development lifecycle including design, development, and testing. Each team includes individuals with physical or cognitive impairments, so you gain invaluable firsthand feedback from real users of assistive technology and those who benefit most from accessible design.
Level Access
Location: Vienna, Virginia
Years in Business: 25
Solution Type: Digital Accessibility Services, Accessibility Software.
The Level Access industry-leading software, consulting, and training solutions provide the full 360-degree coverage needed to ensure accessible and compliant websites, mobile apps, software, and other technology while protecting against legal risk.
Deque
Location: Herndon, Virginia
Years in Business: 23
Solution Type: Digital Accessibility Services, Accessibility Software.
Deque accessibility services provide software and tools to ensure accessibility compliance across the web. Deque experts offer web accessibility audits, remediation, and training.
TPGi
Location: Clearwater, Florida
Years in Business: 20
Solution Type: Digital Accessibility Services, Accessibility Software.
TPGi is an accessibility solutions provider that supports all phases of accessibility through best-in-class management software and professional services. We partner with the best-known brands in the world to achieve end-to-end accessibility for their digital assets.
eSSENTIAL Accessibility
Location: Toronto, Canada
Years in Business: 14
Solution Type: Digital Accessibility Services, Accessibility Software.
eSSENTIAL Accessibility is a comprehensive digital accessibility-as-a-service platform. They help organizations create inclusive web, mobile, and product experiences through digital accessibility testing, evaluation, and remediation.
Bureau of Internet Accessibility (BoIA)
Location: East Greenwich, Rhode Island
Years in Business: 19
Solution Type: Digital Accessibility Services, Accessibility Software.
The Bureau of Internet Accessibility (BoIA) helps proactive organizations achieve, maintain, and prove website compliance in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which is a comprehensive federal civil rights law prohibiting discrimination based on disability issued by the Department of Justice (DOJ) as per the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1. A/AA
Knowbility
Location: Austin, TX
Years in Business: 23
Solution Type: Digital Accessibility Services.
Knowbility is a nonprofit organization with the mission of creating an inclusive digital world for people with disabilities. Through consulting and training, this critical work improves technology access for millions of youths and adults with disabilities all over the world.
World Institute on Disability
Location: Berkeley, CA
Years in Business: 39
Solution Type: Digital Accessibility Services.
The World Institute on Disability (WID) is an international nonprofit center on public policy that focuses on researching disability issues and overcoming barriers to independent living for people with disabilities.
Evinced
Location: New York, NY
Years in Business: 10
Solution Type: Accessibility Software.
Evinced is an accessibility software company specializing in providing automation to enterprise developers. The company offers a complete portfolio of products to enable enterprise developers to weave accessibility into their iOS and Android mobile app development process.
Fable
Location: Toronto, Canada
Years in Business: 4
Solution Type: Digital Accessibility Services, Accessibility Software.
Fable is an accessibility testing company, powered by people with disabilities.
Fable enables you to connect to people with disabilities remotely and on-demand to accelerate your user research, design, and development.
Digital Accessibility: Above and Beyond
We believe digital accessibility testing companies should go beyond simple compliance. To be thoroughly accessible, the best companies not only meet WCAG standards but exceed them. WCAG is great for meeting a common standard of accessibility, but it is still possible to build a technically compliant product or website that’s difficult to use with assistive technology.
We should also highlight the risk of relying on overlay tools from companies like accessiBe for digital accessibility user experience. These tools often do little to improve the accessibility of websites or applications and can, in some cases, actually create worse experiences for assistive technology users. True accessibility is about including individuals with physical or cognitive impairments in the design, development, and testing process throughout, and by focusing on real-user experiences, not just meeting guidelines.
We also believe that digital accessibility should combine automated and manual testing including testers who are using assistive technology in their daily lives. It’s the only way to truly understand their requirements.
The best companies should also apply the most commonly used assistive technology including JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, Google TalkBack, ZoomText, MAGic, Microsoft Narrator, and other assistive technologies used based on your digital content. That way everyone’s needs are met in the most comprehensive way possible.
Examples of Accessibility in Software
Accessibility in software design ensures applications and websites can be effectively used by individuals with disabilities or those who rely on assistive technologies. A key example of software accessibility is implementing keyboard navigation, which enables users to access all functionalities using keyboard inputs rather than relying solely on a mouse. This is essential for users with limited dexterity or those unable to use a mouse.
Another critical example is providing alternative text, or “alt text,” for images. Alt text allows screen readers to convey the content of images to visually impaired users, making non-visible information accessible. Additionally, maintaining a sufficient color contrast ratio between elements, like text and background colors, supports those with visual impairments in distinguishing content clearly.
Other accessibility features include using clear and descriptive page titles, structuring headings in a logical order for smoother screen reader navigation, and creating accessible hyperlinks with meaningful labels. These features collectively foster a more inclusive experience, allowing all users to engage fully with software content and functionality.
User Feedback Drives the Prioritization of Accessibility Issues
User feedback is a powerful tool in prioritizing accessibility improvements. Listening to real users’ experiences helps identify which issues most impact their ability to navigate and use a product effectively. This understanding allows for strategic prioritization, addressing critical issues first to make immediate strides in accessibility. By focusing on the issues that users find most challenging, we ensure meaningful improvements that align with the core needs of those who rely on accessible design.
Established Accessibility Standards and Guidelines for Digital Products
Accessibility standards and guidelines for digital products provide crucial criteria to ensure ease of use and inclusivity for individuals with disabilities. Developed by organizations like the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), these standards aim to enhance the digital experience for all users.
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), a widely respected framework by W3C, offers a structured approach to assessing digital accessibility. Covering aspects such as design, functionality, and content, WCAG addresses potential barriers by specifying criteria and techniques to enhance accessibility. These guidelines are built around four core principles: perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust. Under each principle, targeted guidelines and success criteria guide improvements. For example, the perceivable principle ensures content is accessible through multiple senses, emphasizing features like alternative text for non-text content, adequate color contrast, and simplified information.
WCAG further categorizes accessibility into three conformance levels: A, AA, and AAA. Level A represents minimum compliance, while AA provides broader accessibility, and AAA denotes the highest level of conformance. These standards, especially WCAG, form a foundation for accessibility testing, allowing organizations to benchmark digital products against inclusive design standards. Collaborations with partners, such as QASource, can provide holistic support to address the complexities of accessibility testing in alignment with these standards, fostering more inclusive digital experiences.
The QualityLogic Approach to Digital Accessibility
QualityLogic is committed to integrating accessibility practices from end to end, design to launch. We know regional and global accessibility standards, including WCAG, ADA, Section 508, AODA, and others, and we can help you meet and exceed them with accessibility services and consulting. We can help you succeed through design, testing, remediation, and consulting support which engages individuals with physical or cognitive impairments and blends the best of automated and manual approaches.
Making your website or mobile app accessible to all requires more than running tests with a screen reader, with mic and sound turned off, or without a mouse. Your site and app need to work across a broad range of platforms with all popular assistive technologies and consider the overall user experience.
If you’d like to learn more about how to include digital accessibility in your company’s digital properties, let’s set up some time for a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Digital Accessibility
How can AI-powered testing tools assist in accessibility testing?
AI-powered testing tools can play a helpful role in conducting accessibility testing by automating the scanning process for websites, applications, and documents. These tools are designed to identify common accessibility issues such as missing alternative text for images, improper heading structure, and insufficient color contrast. By swiftly highlighting areas that need attention, AI-powered tools expedite the identification of potential barriers for users with disabilities.
For example, one way these tools can enhance accessibility testing is by simulating the experience of a screen reader user. Through converting on-screen text and elements into synthesized speech or braille output, AI enables testers to assess how well screen readers interact with the software and if content is effectively conveyed. This feature proves invaluable in detecting any discrepancies and ensuring optimal user experience for individuals relying on screen reading technology.
AI-powered tools can also leverage patterns and historical data to predict potential accessibility issues. This proactive approach allows developers to address these issues before they become significant hurdles for users with disabilities. By continuously monitoring websites and applications for accessibility concerns, these tools can alert development teams to new problems that may arise with updates or changes, aiding in maintaining accessibility standards over time.
Another crucial capability of AI-powered testing tools is their ability to simulate the usage of various assistive technologies such as screen readers, magnifiers, and voice recognition software. Through these simulations, the tools can assess how well digital products support these assistive technologies, ensuring compatibility and usability for individuals who rely on them.
While AI can identify and address many accessibility issues, it is essential to acknowledge the value of human testers with disabilities. Their unique perspectives and experiences provide valuable insights into the overall user experience. As such, a combined approach that integrates AI tools with human testing is often the most effective way to ensure thorough accessibility testing and create inclusive digital environments.
What’s the difference between ADA testing and accessibility testing?
ADA testing and accessibility testing both have the overarching goal of ensuring that applications are inclusive for individuals with diverse abilities. However, there are some technical distinctions between the two approaches.
ADA testing specifically focuses on compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which sets legal requirements for accessibility in the United States. The primary aim of ADA testing is to ensure that applications meet the specific accessibility standards outlined in the ADA. This comprehensive form of testing helps confirm compliance with the specific regulations, ensuring that individuals with disabilities are not discriminated against in accessing digital services.
On the other hand, accessibility testing encompasses a broader scope, going beyond simple ADA compliance. It aims to ensure that applications are inclusive for diverse abilities on a global scale. While ADA testing focuses on adhering to specific legal requirements, accessibility testing goes further by considering individuals with a wide range of abilities and disabilities, including but not limited to those covered by the ADA. For example, QualityLogic bases much of our work on the WCAG 2.1 AA guidelines. This type of testing aims to create user experiences that are accessible to all individuals, regardless of their specific needs.
Why is VUI testing important in accessibility testing?
Voice User Interface (VUI) testing holds great significance within accessibility testing due to its ability to cater to individuals with various disabilities, specifically those who rely on voice commands and interactions. By conducting VUI testing, it ensures that individuals with physical limitations, visual impairments, or speech impairments can effectively utilize voice-based interfaces. Consequently, VUI testing plays a critical role in ensuring inclusivity and accessibility for all users, regardless of their unique needs and abilities.
What are the benefits of Section 508 compliance testing?
508 Compliance Testing offers numerous benefits for organizations, regardless of their size. Here are some of the advantages:
- Enhanced Accessibility for a Wider Audience: By ensuring that your content is accessible to individuals with disabilities, you can engage a broader section of your target audience. This inclusivity not only helps to increase customer reach, but also promotes a more diverse and inclusive digital environment.
- Reduced Legal Risks: Pursuing accessibility testing exercises demonstrates a commitment to complying with accessibility guidelines and regulations. By proactively addressing potential accessibility issues, organizations can minimize the risk of lawsuits and legal claims related to non-compliance.
- Improved Search Engine Rankings: Search engines can easily identify and index textual content, but struggle with non-textual assets like images and multimedia. 508 Compliance Testing can help improve search engine rankings by providing text alternatives, such as transcripts or captions, for non-text content. This not only boosts search visibility but also improves overall discoverability.
- Enhanced User Experience: Making accessibility a priority can lead to improvements in the overall user experience of a website or digital platform. Designing with accessibility in mind often results in user-friendly interfaces, clear navigation, and intuitive interactions that benefit all users, regardless of their abilities. A positive user experience can lead to increased engagement, customer satisfaction, and ultimately, long-term loyalty.
- Demonstrating Social Responsibility: By prioritizing accessibility and undergoing 508 Compliance Testing, organizations showcase their commitment to social responsibility. This can enhance an organization’s reputation, attract socially-conscious customers, and contribute to a positive brand image.
- Innovation and Creativity: Embracing accessibility requirements can stimulate innovation and creativity in design and development processes. Finding innovative solutions to address accessibility challenges can lead to new and improved digital experiences for all users.
Overall, 508 Compliance Testing not only helps ensure legal compliance but also opens up new opportunities for organizations to engage a wider audience, improve user experience, and advance their reputation in an increasingly accessible and inclusive digital landscape.
What are the rules and regulations related to digital accessibility?
Digital accessibility is governed by several rules and regulations to ensure that individuals with different physical and cognitive abilities can access and utilize digital content. One important law is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), specifically Section III, which mandates that all domains, including web-based applications and technology, be accessible to everyone. This means that websites, applications, and software developed by schools, organizations, and public buildings must be designed and developed in a way that accommodates individuals with disabilities.
Title II of the ADA further enforces accessibility by requiring that all programs, services, and activities provided by state and/or local governments are accessible to everyone, including web-based applications and technology. This ensures that digital content is not a barrier for people with disabilities when accessing government services.
Additionally, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 includes Sections 504 and 508, which establish requirements for workplace, educational institutions, and organizations. Section 504 mandates reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, while Section 508 sets accessibility standards for technology. Institutions covered by these sections must ensure that their technology, including websites and applications, can be accessed by everyone.
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are a set of protocols developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). These guidelines provide examples of accessibility testing and recommend various types of testing to improve application accessibility. WCAG encompasses four main principles:
- Perceivable: All users should be able to comprehend all displayed information, including how to use the application’s user interface. This includes making text alternatives available for non-text content, providing captions for multimedia, and ensuring that content can be presented in different ways.
- Operable: All users should be able to navigate the application’s user interface without difficulty or barriers. This involves ensuring that all functionality can be accessed through keyboard navigation, providing enough time for users to read and interact with content, and avoiding designs that may cause seizures.
- Understandable: All users should be able to understand the information presented, as well as how to navigate through the application’s user interface. This includes using clear and simple language, providing consistent navigation mechanisms, and avoiding content that may cause confusion.
- Robust: All users should be able to reliably interpret content within the application, especially when using assistive technologies. This involves ensuring compatibility with a wide range of assistive technologies, such as screen readers and magnifiers, and using standard web technologies to ensure long-term accessibility.
By following these rules and regulations, organizations can ensure that their digital products, such as websites, applications, and software, are accessible to individuals with disabilities, promoting inclusivity and equal access to information and services in the digital world.
Author: Gary James
