AI Driven Accessibility Auditing Workflow for Enhanced Compliance

AI-Driven Accessibility Auditing and Reporting

1. Initial Assessment

1.1 Define Accessibility Standards

Identify the relevant accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG 2.1, ADA, Section 508) that will guide the auditing process.

1.2 Select AI Accessibility Tools

Choose appropriate AI-driven tools for the auditing process. Examples include:

• axe Accessibility Checker: A tool that integrates into development workflows to identify accessibility issues in real-time.
• WAVE: A web accessibility evaluation tool that provides visual feedback about the accessibility of web content.
• Google Lighthouse: An open-source tool for improving the quality of web pages, including accessibility audits.

2. Automated Accessibility Testing

2.1 Run Automated Tests

Utilize selected AI tools to perform automated scans of the technology or software. This step identifies potential accessibility issues efficiently.

2.2 Analyze AI Findings

Review the results generated by the AI tools, categorizing issues based on severity and impact on user experience.

3. Manual Review and User Testing

3.1 Conduct Manual Audits

Complement automated findings with manual testing to uncover issues that AI may not detect, such as context-specific barriers.

3.2 Engage Users with Disabilities

Involve users with diverse disabilities in testing to gather qualitative feedback on accessibility and usability.

4. Reporting and Documentation

4.1 Compile Findings

Document all identified issues, including automated and manual findings, along with user feedback.

4.2 Generate Accessibility Report

Create a comprehensive report detailing the accessibility status, issues identified, and recommendations for remediation.

5. Remediation Planning

5.1 Prioritize Issues

Rank issues based on severity and user impact, focusing on critical barriers first.

5.2 Develop Remediation Strategies

Outline actionable steps for addressing identified issues, assigning responsibilities to relevant team members.

6. Implementation and Follow-Up

6.1 Execute Remediation Plan

Implement the strategies developed, ensuring that accessibility improvements are integrated into the technology or software.

6.2 Continuous Monitoring

Establish a routine for ongoing accessibility audits using AI tools to ensure compliance and improve user experience over time.