Mobile Product Accessibility Testing Resources

Accessibility testing is a subset of usability testing and is the inclusive practice of making websites and mobile applications usable by people of all abilities and disabilities. You do this by testing mobile websites and/or applications on all leading browsers, mobile devices and screen readers.

This article was developed as part of the Mobile Application Development Program. See our general guidelines to testing article for more resources on mobile product testing.

Government Guidance

Currently, there are no clear best practice Section 508 testing approach for native mobile apps. Web apps designed for mobile browsers should follow the same testing approach as any other Web content to be fully accessible and Section 508 compliant.

Resources Available

Listed below are resources available that further describe and conduct accessibility testing. These services/companies or websites are offered as a sample of what is currently available for accessibility testing and do not indicate an endorsement of them or their products and/or services.

Web Resources

• Accessibility Management Platform – page from the SSB Bart Group on the Accessibility Management Platform (AMP).
• Android
  • Enable Accessibility on Android devices and activate a screen reader (TalkBack is preinstalled on many devices). Other screen readers and text-to-speech libraries are free in the Android Market.
• BlackBerry
  • Applications should be tested on a production screen reader or other assistive technology application that is installed on a BlackBerry device.
• iOS
  • Accessibility Inspector in iOS Simulator – checks elements for accessibility in an application
  • VoiceOver on device – screen reader for those with impaired vision
• M-Enabling Conference Resources– The M-Enabling events are frequent gatherings of private and public accessibility experts working to promote mobile accessible and assistive applications and services for senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
• Mobile Accessibility Guidelines – blog post from Henny Swan listing mobile accessibility guidelines.
• Mobile Accessibility Tests – blog post from Henny Swan with a guide on mobile accessibility tests.
• Mobile Web and App Development Testing and Emulation Tools – article listing free tools for mobile web and app development testing and emulation.
• Setting up iOS and Android for Mobile Accessibility Testing – blog post discussing how to set up iOS and Android for mobile accessibility testing.
• Total Validator – a free website validator tool.
• W3C MobileOK Checker – the W3C MobileOK Checker site.
• WebAIM – non-profit website with comprehensive web accessibility resources.
• Why Mobile Web Accessibility Matters – article discussing best practices to make a mobile site accessible.

Testing Services

These services/companies or web sites are offered as a sample of what is currently available and do not indicate an endorsement of them or their products and/or services. Agencies should consult their Accessibility experts about other mobile accessibility tools.

• AChecker
• AMP (Accessibility Management Platform)
• Cynthia
• Nomensa
• TAW3
• Total Validator (for native apps)
• uTest
• W3C Markup Validation Service
• Wave
• WA Helper

Test Plans/Checklists available on GitHub

The test plans listed below are government test plans, cases or checklists that have been uploaded to GitHub and are available as samples and/or for use.

• Department of Labor – a selection of test cases used to test accessibility and Section 508 compliance of mobile applications