Automated accessibility testing with jest-axe and Lighthouse CI

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Do your automated tests include a11y checks? This workshop will cover how to get started with jest-axe to detect code-based accessibility violations, and Lighthouse CI to validate the accessibility of fully rendered pages. No amount of automated tests can replace manual accessibility testing, but these checks will make sure that your manual testers aren't doing more work than they need to.

This workshop has been presented at TestJS Summit 2021, check out the latest edition of this JavaScript Conference.

FAQ

Automated accessibility testing is a method used to check if a website or application is accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. It involves using tools and software to automatically detect accessibility issues, which can help developers make their content more accessible. However, it does not replace manual testing as it typically identifies only about a third of potential accessibility issues.

Common methods to enhance website accessibility include providing alternate text for images, ensuring high contrast between text and background, offering keyboard navigation alternatives to mouse clicks, and using ARIA roles to describe elements for screen readers.

The abbreviation 'a11y' stands for 'accessibility'. It is derived by taking the first letter 'A', followed by the number 11 (representing the 11 letters between the first and last letter), and ending with 'Y'. It's a shorthand notation used widely by developers and on the internet.

Resources for learning about accessibility standards and guidelines include the W3 Consortium's Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) page and the Mozilla Developer Network (MDN) accessibility guide. Both platforms offer comprehensive guidelines, best practices, and resources to help developers create accessible content.

In accessibility testing, linting involves analyzing code to ensure it meets accessibility standards as it is written. Tools like ESLint with plugins such as JSX-a11y can automatically detect and report errors related to accessibility, such as missing alt attributes or incorrect ARIA roles. However, linting may have limitations with custom elements or design systems.

Jest is used in accessibility testing to run automated tests that check for accessibility violations in the rendered output of web applications. With the help of additional tools like Jest-axe, it can evaluate the accessibility of the HTML output against standards, providing an effective way to catch issues that might not be identified through linting alone.

No, automated tools cannot detect all accessibility issues. Studies suggest that automated testing might identify only around 30% of potential accessibility problems. Manual testing, especially involving users with disabilities, is crucial for comprehensive accessibility evaluations and ensuring that a site is genuinely usable by everyone.

Contrast issues in web accessibility refer to problems with the visual presentation of text and graphical elements, which can make content difficult to read for people with visual impairments. Adequate contrast between foreground and background colors is essential for readability, especially under different viewing conditions and for users with color vision deficiencies.

Bonnie Schulkin
Bonnie Schulkin
85 min
22 Nov, 2021

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Video Summary and Transcription
This workshop covers automated accessibility testing, including linting, Just Axe, and Cypress Audit. Manual testing is essential for ensuring accessibility. The workshop explores the limitations of linting and introduces Just Axe to check for accessibility issues. Cypress Audit is used to detect contrast issues that code-based tests can't find. Lighthouse thresholds are set for accessibility, and a Lighthouse report is created to identify and fix issues. The workshop also addresses troubleshooting and setting background and foreground colors for maximum contrast.
Video transcription and chapters available for users with access.

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