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 Checkerthe standard tool, fast and clear
- WebAIM Link Contrast Checkerspecifically for link colors against surrounding text
- TPGi Color Contrast Analyzerdownloadable 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 Techsite-wide monitoring tool used by FHDA.
- WAVE Web Accessibility Evaluation Toolpaste in a URL, get a visual overlay of issues. Also available as a browser extension.
- Lighthousebuilt 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 PDFadvanced PDF remediation tool (commercial).
Reference Sites
- WCAG 2.1 Quick Referencethe actual standard, with filters for level, technique, and tag
- WebAIMdeep, plain-language articles on every accessibility topic
- CCC Accessibility CenterCalifornia community colleges systemwide accessibility resource
- ADA.gov Title II Web Rule guidancethe Department of Justice's plain-language explanation of the rule
- Section508.govfederal 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)
- WebAIM: Testing with screen readersbasic 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.govfederal plain-language guidelines
- Hemingway Editorflags long sentences, passive voice, and complex phrasing
Captions And Transcripts
- YouTubeauto-captions all uploaded videos. Always edit them; auto-captions are a draft, not a finished product.
- Microsoft Stream and Zoomboth generate auto-captions and downloadable transcripts.
- Amarafree caption editor for collaborative caption work.
Disability-related Laws And Standards
- ADA.govthe Department of Justice's site for the ADA, including Title II
- U.S. Access Board: Section 508federal IT accessibility standards
- WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines)the international technical standard