Class assignments

Accessibility assignment: audit a real web page against WCAG

Run contrast, readability and accessibility checks, then write the fixes. 45 minutes, free, printable.

Use it in a class

At a glance

For the teacher

Before class.

  • Choose one public page per pair so reports differ. Avoid pages that need a log-in.
  • Tell students up front that a scanner finds only some problems, and that they should look for what it misses.

Tools used: Accessibility checker, Contrast checker, Readability checker. Create a class, pick this assignment and students get the brief when they join, with a link to start.

Student brief

What students get.

Accessibility check of a real page

45 minutes · Individually or in pairs · Tool: Accessibility checker

Goal

Connect WCAG criteria to real problems on a real page, and see what an automated check can and can't find.

Steps

  1. Scan the page with the accessibility checker and note what it flags.
  2. Check the two or three main colour pairs in the contrast checker.
  3. Paste a key paragraph into the readability checker and note the reading level.
  4. Try the page with the keyboard only, using the Tab key. Note where focus is lost or hidden.
  5. Pick three problems. For each, write the WCAG criterion, who it affects and the fix.
  6. List one thing a human could see that the scanner missed.

What to hand in

  • A short audit: three problems, each with the criterion, the person affected and the fix.
  • One paragraph on what the scanner missed.

Questions to discuss

  1. Which problem would affect the most people if it stayed unfixed?
  2. What did the keyboard test find that the scanner didn't?
  3. Passing every automated check is not the same as being accessible. Why?
  4. Who should be in the room when you decide which fixes come first?

myuxacademy.com/tools/for-teachers/assignments/ · free class assignments

Questions

Frequently asked questions

How long does this take?

45 minutes. It works best individually or in pairs.

What do students hand in?

A short audit: three problems, each with the criterion, the person affected and the fix. One paragraph on what the scanner missed.

Do students need an account?

Not to take part in a study. To build one and share it, the accessibility checker tool asks for a free email log-in. If you set up a class, students log in to join it so you can see their studies.

More assignments: Card sort a website navigation, Tree test a council website, Five-second test of two landing pages. See all six.