Color Contrast Checkers
Use these to verify that your text colors meet WCAG 2.1 AA contrast requirements (4.5:1 for normal text, 3:1 for large text).
- WebAIM Contrast Checker the standard tool, fast and clear
- WebAIM Link Contrast Checker specifically for link colors against surrounding text
- TPGi Color Contrast Analyzer downloadable desktop app, useful for designs and PDFs
Webpage Testing
These tools scan a webpage and flag accessibility issues. None of them catch everything — automated checks find roughly a third of real-world issues — but they're a great first pass.
- Pope Tech site-wide monitoring tool used by FHDA.
- WAVE Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool paste in a URL, get a visual overlay of issues. Also available as a browser extension.
- Lighthouse built into Chrome DevTools (right-click, Inspect, Lighthouse tab). Run an accessibility audit on any page.
- axe DevTools (browser extension) another solid automated checker, popular with developers.
Document Accessibility
- Microsoft Accessibility Checker: built into Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook. Look for it under Review > Check Accessibility.
- Adobe Acrobat Pro Accessibility Tools: for tagging and remediating PDFs. Includes a Make Accessible action wizard.
- CommonLook PDF advanced PDF remediation tool (commercial).
Reference Sites
- WCAG 2.1 Quick Reference the actual standard, with filters for level, technique, and tag
- WebAIM deep, plain-language articles on every accessibility topic
- CCC Accessibility Center California community colleges systemwide accessibility resource
- ADA.gov Title II Web Rule guidance the Department of Justice's plain-language explanation of the rule
- Section508.gov federal accessibility resources, applicable to most public-sector work
Screen Readers
You don't have to be a screen reader expert to test with one. Even five minutes of fumbling through your own page with a screen reader on will teach you something.
- NVDA (Windows, free) NV Access
- VoiceOver (built into macOS and iOS) turn on with Cmd + F5 on a Mac
- TalkBack (built into Android)
- Narrator (built into Windows) turn on with Windows Key + Ctrl + Enter
- WebAIM: Testing with screen readers basic keystrokes and where to start
Browser Extensions Worth Installing
- WAVE browser extension
- axe DevTools browser extension
- Accessibility Bookmarklets (from Illinois) quick visualizations of headings, landmarks, images, and more
- HeadingsMap see where your heading levels are out of order.
Plain Language And Writing
- PlainLanguage.gov federal plain-language guidelines
- Hemingway Editor flags long sentences, passive voice, and complex phrasing
Captions And Transcripts
- YouTube auto-captions all uploaded videos. Always edit them; auto-captions are a draft, not a finished product.
- Microsoft Stream and Zoom both generate auto-captions and downloadable transcripts.
- Amara free caption editor for collaborative caption work.
Disability-related Laws And Standards
- ADA.gov the Department of Justice's site for the ADA, including Title II
- U.S. Access Board: Section 508 federal IT accessibility standards
- WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) the international technical standard