LibGuides: Accessibility Resources for MSU Libraries Staff: Tools

Tools for Checking Accessibility

The tools listed below are provided as it is; the Libraries Accessibility Working Group does not offer technical support for them (altough we can try to answer questions!). Questions about accessibility tests/evaluations for licensed content such as e-resources (e-books, databases, etc.) or testing our digital collections should be directed to Heidi Schroeder, MSU Libraries Accessibility Coordinator.

Web-based tools

WAVE
A helpful tool for a quick test for one or several web pages. You might need to spend some time to decipher the report. This tool will not always work on licensed content.
HTML CodeSniffer
Test HTML code against WCAG 2.0 and Section 508 standards.

Screen Readers

NVDA Project
A free screen reader application for Windows computer. It's not as comprehensive as JAWS screen reader software, but it's quite comparable. Donation is encouraged so the developer can keep it up to date.
VoiceOver (macOS)
The screen reader built into macOS and iOS.

Browser Add-ons

Firefox

WAVE Firefox Extension
This tools helps you to assess web content for accessibility issues. Useful if you especially need to assess protected web content such as on a test server or requires a login first.
AInspector Sidebar
Formerly known as "Firefox Accessibility Extension", this is a free, open source based tool to evaluate web pages for WCGA 20. compliance using the HTML5 and ARIA 1.1 standards. You can find the AInspector Sidebar on the Mozilla Add-on site.
Firefox Developer Tools
This is a useful tool if you work on developing a website. The Responsive Design Mode tool is especially useful to help you see how the website would look like on different devices such as tablets and phones.

Chrome

WAVE Chrome Extension
This tools helps you to assess web content for accessibility issues. Useful if you especially need to assess protected web content such as on a test server or requires a login first.
Color Contrast Analyzer
Developed by the NCSU, this tool allows you to analyze text color contrast problems on a web page according to the WCAG 2 color contrast requirement.
Chrome Developer Tools
This is a useful tool if you work on developing a website. You can run a Lighthouse accessibility audit from within devtools.

Additional Tools and Resources

List of Web Accessibility Tools
Additional tools from W3C (World Wide Web Consortium).
Web Accessibility Testing Techniques
Techniques, documents, tools and checklists related to web accessibility from Paul J. Adam, accessibility consultant for Deque Systems.
Colour Contrast Analyser
Developed by the Paciello Group, this tool helps you check color contrast against WCAG 2.0 criteria.
HTML Validator
Developed by Deque, the tool offers a couple of approaches: install it as a bookmarklet or using their web form to test part of a web page. The source code of the boomarklet is provided. Note: this tool does not check the raw HTML.