Web Accessibility Toolbar

The web accessibility toolbar is an application which web developers can use to improve the accessibility of their site. This application is useful in acquiring information to make manual accessibility testing more successful. In reality, it is a collection of freely available, online applications which you can use for testing.

Once installed in the computer, a web accessibility toolbar will appear as a set of buttons or icons normally at the top portion of the web browser. Users can then quickly access the toolbar when they are on a site they want to test for accessibility. Depending on the selected function, the toolbar will display the results either through a message or through some other form of notification.

The exact functions and operation of the applications differ from one product to another. But in general, they can perform the following processes:

Programmatically determine the components of a website
Facilitate the use of third party online applications
Simulate an actual user browsing the site
Display alternate views of the site’s content
Present links to useful resources on web accessibility

The web accessibility toolbar can help developers and users save time in assessing the accessibility of sites. This is because it automatically checks the major components used in websites, thus enabling the user to go directly to other testing procedures.

Also, through providing the user with several alternate views of the site, the toolbar can display issues which users may otherwise overlook.

The web accessibility toolbar does not require the user to have extensive knowledge in web accessibility. It can therefore be used by anyone interested in making a site more accessible, however, it also has very advanced functions if needed.

Please note that these applications are not designed for automated testing. All accessibility testing requires human interaction. Rather, the applications will help to make decisions much faster and more efficiently.

The example of a web accessibility toolbar is available at the VisionAustralia.org.au site.

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