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The Best Tools to Test and Improve Web Accessibility

Written by Karine Simard | 3-Nov-2025 1:00:03 PM

Creating an accessible website requires the use of suitable tools to test, correct and maintain a high level of accessibility.

 

Here is a selection of useful tools categorized: 

 

Automatic testing tools

  • Lighthouse(Google Chrome): Analyzes accessibility, SEO, and performance. 
  • axe DevTools(Deque): Chrome and Firefox extension to test accessibility directly in the browser's DevTools. 
  • WAVE(WebAIM): Checks for contrast, ARIA errors, and HTML structure. 
  • Accessibility Insights (Microsoft) : Extension et application qui aide à identifier et corriger les problèmes d’accessibilité dans les applications numériques. 
  • HTML_CodeSniffer: A client-side script that checks HTML source code and detects violations of a defined coding standard. 

 

Contrast and color checking tools

  • Colour Contrast Analyser (TPG): Allows you to check the contrasts between text and background. 
  • Accessible Colors: Helps you choose colors that meet WCAG standards. 
  • ColorOracle: Colour blindness simulator for Windows, Mac, and Linux. 
  • Sim Daltonisme (only available on macOS and iOS): Simulates the different types of color blindness to check color accessibility. 

 

Tools for screen readers and keyboard navigation


  • NVDA(Windows) : Open-source screen reader used by many testers. 
  • JAWS(Windows) : Advanced screen reader, often used in business. 
  • VoiceOver Mac et VoiceOver iOS: A built-in screen reader in Apple products. 
  • TalkBack (Android): Screen reader built into Android products. 
  • Orca (Linux) : Open-source screen reader. 

 

Tools for checking forms and navigation


  • Forms Bookmarklet: Tests the accessibility of forms by visually highlighting the relationships between labels and fields. 
  • Focus Indicator: Chrome extension highlights items currently selected with the keyboard. 
  • Focus Bookmarklet: Allows you to display an outline around interactive elements. 
  • HTML_CodeSniffer: Checks for errors in forms and the use of ARIA attributes.

 

Developer tools (CI/CD integration)


  • axe-core: JavaScript library for integrating automated accessibility tests. 
  • Pa11y CI: A command-line tool for testing reachability in a CI/CD pipeline. 
  • Cypress + axe-core : Allows you to run accessibility tests in end-to-end tests. 

 

To go further

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