Successful Auto-WCAG workshop

The focus of the workshop was to examine how accessibility testing can be automated and writing of automatic tests. Eleven experts have shone their light on the field of automated accessibility testing. The workshop was held in Utrecht, Netherlands. Accessibility Foundation was the host.

The eleven accessibility experts have worked hard to examine how accessibility testing can be automated. The latest developments in the field were discussed and further explored. There were also exploratory talks with the W3C for a closer cooperation.

In small groups, several test cases where examined and elaborated. The written test cases were then been reviewed and discussed by the group. Elements such as audio and video, longdesc attributes and the use of color are examined.

Besides the writing of test cases there were also user feedback sessions. Eric Eggert (W3C) led these sessions to test a new W3C WAI tool. Participants of the workshop gave in sessions of 20 minutes their feedback.

Every day there was an inspiring presentation. On the first day Shadi Abou-Zahra (W3C) told us everything about EARL. On Tuesday Eric Velleman (Accessibility Foundation) gave us insight into the Website Accessibility Conformance Evaluation Methodology (WCAM-EM) document. From California Jesse Beach (Facebook) gave, on the last day, a presentation about QUAIL 3 and open source automated testing.

Many components in the field of automated testing have been discussed and various test cases have been written. We worked on 15 test cases, 10 criteria have been addressed. Two test cases have been completed, and six test cases will have a final review in the coming weeks. After three productive days we can conclude that this workshop was a success.