I was recently working on a large product bringing a WordPress Website to ADA compliance. Like any project, there has to be a plan on how to tackle it. Here are some thoughts below on prioritizing accessibility defects and finding the bugs in your site so you can fix them.
Creating an accessible digital environment is not just a beneficial practice; it is a necessity for ensuring all users, including those with disabilities, can engage fully with content. Prioritizing accessibility defects for remediation is a crucial aspect of this process. Here are some various strategies and considerations involved in effectively prioritizing these defects to enhance the usability of digital products.
Understanding Accessibility Defects
Accessibility defects refer to the parts of a website, app, or software that fail to meet certain accessibility standards, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). These defects can range from minor issues, like missing alt text for images, to major barriers, such as non-navigable websites for keyboard-only users or lack of screen reader support. You can learn more about web compliance at (https://www.w3.org/WAI/standards-guidelines/)
The Impact of Accessibility Defects
The impact of these defects is profound. They can prevent people with disabilities from performing basic tasks, such as browsing information, completing purchases, using services, or accessing education. The severity of the impact often dictates the priority with which defects should be addressed.
Prioritization Framework
- Severity of Impact: The first step in prioritization is assessing how severely a defect impacts the user experience for people with disabilities. Defects that make a website unusable should be at the top of the list. For example, if a user who relies on a screen reader cannot access crucial site navigation, this defect is extremely severe.
- Frequency of Occurrence: How often a defect occurs within your platform can also dictate priority. If a particular accessibility issue appears across multiple pages, its remediation will benefit a larger portion of your site, enhancing the overall user experience.
- Ease of Remediation: Sometimes, the technical effort required to fix an issue can influence its prioritization. Quick fixes that significantly improve accessibility might be prioritized to deliver immediate benefits, whereas more complex issues that require substantial development work might be scheduled appropriately.
- Legal and Compliance Requirements: Depending on your location and sector, certain accessibility standards may be legally required. Non-compliance can result in legal consequences, including fines and lawsuits, which makes prioritizing these fixes crucial.
- User Feedback: Engaging with users, especially those with disabilities, can provide direct insights into which barriers are most problematic. This feedback is invaluable for prioritizing issues that directly affect the user experience.
Tools and Processes for Prioritization
- Automated Testing Tools: These tools can help identify a variety of accessibility issues quickly, although they are not a replacement for manual testing or user feedback. Examples include Axe, WAVE, or Lighthouse.
- Manual Testing and Expert Review: Manual testing by accessibility experts and users with disabilities can uncover issues that automated tools miss. This is especially true for complex interactions that require nuanced human judgement.
- Bug Tracking and Management Systems: Using a robust system to track and manage accessibility issues is critical. These systems can help categorize defects based on severity, frequency, and other metrics, aiding in effective prioritization.
Bug prioritization varies depending on what project management tool and methodology you are using and the experience of the person in charge. While I have used RUP, AGILE, PMP (and even Kaizen) my favorite method is Scrum. In scrum the bug’s priority is defined by the product owner, who also determines if this is an issue that has to be solved now or that can wait until the end of the sprint. In case they decide to wait, the bug goes into the backlog, to be dealt with later.
Prioritizing accessibility defects is not just about fixing what’s broken; it’s about building an inclusive digital world that accommodates all users. By effectively prioritizing these defects, organizations can not only enhance their usability and customer satisfaction but also adhere to legal standards and demonstrate social responsibility. Remember, the goal of accessibility is to provide equal access and opportunity to everyone, and prioritizing remediation tasks is a critical step in achieving this goal.