Website accessibility audits

Why get an accessibility audit

Automated scanners pick up only some accessibility problems. They cannot tell you whether a screen reader user can complete your enquiry form, or whether your menu works with a keyboard.

A manual audit finds the barriers that stop people using your website. It also gives you evidence of where you stand to show clients, funders, buyers and regulators.

There is no official “DDA certificate” in Australia, but an audit, a retest and a statement of conformance give you evidence you can rely on. Read why there is no such thing as DDA certification.

Who it is for

• Organisations that need to show they meet WCAG or the Disability Discrimination Act
• NDIS providers and not-for-profits whose clients rely on assistive technology
• Government agencies and their suppliers
• Teams that want to know where they stand before a redesign or a tender

What we test

We test a set of pages that covers every template and every key task on your site, such as finding a service, filling in a form or making a payment. On each page we check:

• Keyboard: every link, button, menu and form can be reached and used without a mouse, and you can always see where you are
• Screen readers: headings, links, images, forms, tables and error messages are announced clearly and in a sensible order
• Zoom and reflow: the page still works at 200% and 400% zoom and on a small screen
• Colour and contrast: text, icons and form controls can be seen, and colour is never the only way information is shown
• Forms: fields have labels, instructions are clear, and errors are explained
• Media and motion: videos have captions, and anything that moves can be paused
• Mobile: touch targets are large enough and the site works in both portrait and landscape

We can also test web apps, and PDF, Word and PowerPoint documents.

Not sure what you need? Start with a free check

If you have been told your website has accessibility problems, you do not need to commit to a full audit straight away. Start with a free check of your homepage and we will tell you what we find.

Free homepage check

• Your homepage only
• A manual review of the main barriers
• A short email listing the main problems we found
• Free

Full WCAG 2.2 AA audit

• A representative set of pages, templates and key tasks such as forms, bookings or checkout
• Manual testing against every WCAG 2.2 AA criterion, with keyboard and screen reader testing
• A full report with every issue, why it matters, where it is and how to fix it, in priority order
• Help for your developer while they fix the issues, then a retest
• A fixed quote before any work starts

The free check shows you the kind of problems your site has. It is not an audit, it does not cover the rest of your site, and it cannot tell you whether your site meets WCAG 2.2 AA. Only a full audit can do that.

Which one is right for you?

• Start with the free check if you are not sure whether you have a problem, or how big it is.
• Go straight to a full audit if someone has asked you to show your site meets WCAG 2.2 AA, you are launching or rebuilding a site, or you have received a complaint.
• If you already know what is wrong, we can skip the audit and help you fix it.

How we work

1. Scope

   We agree which pages, templates or documents to test and which standard to test against, then send a fixed quote.

2. Test

   A person tests everything with a screen reader, a keyboard and zoom. Automated tools help us look faster, but never decide a pass or fail.

3. Report

   Your report ranks issues by impact, explains why each one matters and shows how to fix it.

4. Re-test and certify

   Once fixes are made, we test again and give you a signed statement of conformance.

Common questions

How long does an audit take?

It depends on the size of your site. Larger sites and web apps take longer. We give you a date with your quote.

How many pages do you test?

We do not need to test every page. Most sites are built from a small number of templates, so we test one of each, plus every key task.

How much does an audit cost?

It depends on the size of your site and how it is built. Send us your web address and we will reply with a fixed quote. There is no obligation.

Do we need an audit to meet the law?

The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 makes it unlawful to provide services in a way that excludes people with disability, and that includes websites. An audit against WCAG 2.2 Level AA is the accepted way to find out whether yours does. Read our plain-English guide to the Disability Discrimination Act.

Which standard do you test against?

WCAG 2.2 Level AA unless you ask for something else. We can also test against WCAG 2.1, Level AAA, or AS EN 301 549 for government procurement.

Can you fix the issues for us?

Yes. We work with your developer and explain each fix. If you do not have a developer, we can make the fixes for you.

What is a statement of conformance?

A signed document that says which pages we tested, the standard we tested against, the date, and the result. Government and enterprise buyers often ask for one.

Will an accessibility overlay or plugin do the same job?

No. Overlays add a toolbar on top of your site but do not fix the code underneath, so the barriers remain for people who use assistive technology.