Accessibility Tools

Overarching Tools and guidelines

Ongoing Monitoring and machine checking: https://silktide.com/ 

Human user testing

IRC Digital Accessibility Benchmark Report

IRC Introduction to Accessibility

Funkify Chrome Browser extension

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2

Developer

Ongoing Monitoring and machine checking: https://silktide.com/ 

Compliance and machine audits https://accessibe.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIg5q46rDh9QIViaeGCh1Q9wypEAAYASAAEgJgwPD_BwE

Browser tools:

• Lighthouse: Accessibility tool built into Chromium browsers (Chrome, Edge); provides objective accessibility score. Access through developer tool > Lighthouse
• aXe: Deque browser extension: automates testing tool https://www.deque.com/axe/browser-extensions/
• Visual ARIA chrome extension: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/visual-aria/lhbmajchkkmakajkjenkchhnhbadmhmk?hl=en-GB
• Visual ARIA bookmarklet: https://whatsock.com/training/matrices/visual-aria.htm
• ANDI accessibility testing tool: https://www.ssa.gov/accessibility/andi/help/install.html

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3

Design

Colour contrast checking and palette creatio

• Contrast-ratio: https://contrast-ratio.com/
• http://colorsafe.co/

Colour blind simulation

• Color Oracle: Colour blindness simulator for Windows, Mac, Linux: https://colororacle.org/

Content creation

• Checking office docs for accessibility: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/improve-accessibility-with-the-accessibility-checker-a16f6de0-2f39-4a2b-8bd8-5ad801426c7f
• Accessible VIDEO checklist: https://www.boia.org/blog/checklist-for-creating-accessible-videos

4

Articles

Colour accessibility workflows: 

• https://alistapart.com/article/color-accessibility-workflows/

Accessibility checklist (see Designers): 

• https://romeo.elsevier.com/accessibility_checklist/

Home Office Dos and Don'ts of accessible design:

• https://accessibility.blog.gov.uk/2016/09/02/dos-and-donts-on-designing-for-accessibility/

Readability checker: 

• https://hemingwayapp.com/

5

Social Media

IRC Social Media Guidelines

• https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RYY2SOwVm1xfewXTM1wtVZ7YWkJyjD4qMqfp5trgnN8/edit�

6

Vision

• DRAFT IRC vision statement
• Sample accessibility statements
• Sample accessibility statement from .Gov.uk
• Accessibility page from the University of Sheffield (inc. statement of compliance)
• My Computer My Way: tips on making devices more accessible
• Establishing a Business Case for accessibility
• AbilityNet resources for building a business case for accessibility 
• W3C Web Accessibility Initiatives Business Case for Accessibility
• Verizon Media ESG Report 2020 (See page 92)
• Barclays ESG Report 2020 (See pages 32, 48 and 86)

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Leadership

• The Valuable 500 is a Global community of CEOs making a commitment to accessibility.
• The AbilityNet ‘Accessibility Insights’ series of interviews (available as webinars and as a Podcast) is a great chance to hear from influential leaders from the world of accessibility. 
• Past guests have included the heads of accessibility from Google, Microsoft and Apple.
• 14 tips to build an accessibility champions' network | AbilityNet

Processes

• Nothing beats having disabled people providing their insight. Read our Tips on how to recruit disabled people for user testing.
• Cambridge University have a set of inclusive personas.
• This guide from the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) will help you select the most suitable accessibility testing tool and here is an easy to follow compliance checklist for determining compliance with the Web Content accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
• What Deque says about thinking about accessibility from the ground up.
• Microsoft has some great resources on inclusive design, including a PDF which explains how people can have permanent, temporary and situational disabilities.

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Training

• Professional qualifications and recognition for motivating individuals in the field of digital accessibility:
• The International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP).
• Microsoft has created an accessibility accreditation open to everyone.
• Accessibility Conferences:
• TechShare Pro in London and CSUN in California.
• Champions Networks:
• TechShare Pro panel discussion on accessibility champions
• Join a network that BBC and others have created a for people running accessibility champions networks at www.linkedin.com/groups/12499821

Procurement

• ISO 30071-1  the official source upon which all best practices are based when it comes to ICT accessibility – including procurement practices.
• EN 301 549 is a European standard for digital accessibility. It specifies requirements for information and communications technology to be accessible for people with disabilities.  
• Make things accessible and inclusive  Gov.uk article explaining the benefits of making and buying accessible products and services.
• How to procure accessible websites and apps AbilityNet article which provides good, general guidance around this topic.