Understanding Accessibility Testing: Why It Matters for Digital Learning Products

Digital learning products now carry a much broader set of responsibilities than they once did. Beyond features or design polish, they’re expected to work seamlessly for every learner,  including those who rely on assistive technology. As a result, accessibility testing has shifted from a late-stage task to a core part of how K–12 and higher ed teams plan, build, and validate digital experiences.

To keep pace, product teams need a clear understanding of what accessibility testing involves and how it strengthens both compliance and user experience. That foundation is what shapes the rest of this explainer, from methods and tools to the standards U.S. education teams must meet.

What Is Accessibility Testing

Accessibility testing is the process of evaluating whether digital products can be used effectively by people with disabilities. The digital products include websites, learning apps, content, videos, simulations, and LMS experiences. It ensures compliance with federal standards, including Section 508 compliance, the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), and the ADA.

The goal is twofold:

When done properly, accessibility testing supports an inclusive user experience that works for all students and educators. This includes those with IEP needs, English learners, adult learners, and nontraditional college students.

Why Accessibility Testing Matters Today

American disability laws are becoming more explicit about digital requirements. For instance, the U.S. Department of Justice’s ADA Web Rule states that state and local governments’ web content and mobile apps must meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA, with compliance deadlines starting in 2026, depending on population size. You can review the rule here: ADA and WCAG compliance testing.

Meanwhile, federal agencies evaluate digital experiences through coordinated programs. The FY 2024 Governmentwide Section 508 Assessment, shared by Digital.gov, highlights stronger enforcement, clearer reporting requirements, and a need for improved testing maturity across agencies. See the update here: Web accessibility compliance testing.

These expectations influence how universities, districts, and publishers select products. If accessibility testing is weak or incomplete, procurement stalls and products lose competitive advantage.

Types of Accessibility Testing (And Why All Are Necessary)

1. Automated Testing

Automated tools scan code for violations such as missing labels, contrast failures, and incorrect heading structures. This is foundational but not sufficient.

Government guidance emphasizes a hybrid model: the Trusted Tester approach combines automated scans with manual inspection. Learn more here: automated accessibility testing tools.

2. Manual Functional Testing

Human testers simulate real interactions:

• Navigating with keyboard only
• Using screen readers (JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver)
• Checking reading order
• Validating visible focus
• Reviewing structure, semantics, and announcements

Section 508 testing, as documented by the GSA, specifically requires manual and hybrid methods. Details here: Section 508 compliance.

3. Assistive Technology Testing

This ensures compatibility with:

• Text-to-speech
• Magnification tools
• Voice navigation
• Alternative input devices
• Braille displays

The CDC reports that 7.4 million people in U.S. households used assistive technology devices for mobility impairments. This highlights the widespread need for inclusive design. See the report here: assistive technologies.

4. User Accessibility Evaluation

This is real testing with users who rely on assistive technologies.
Examples include:

• Low-vision users
• Blind users
• Keyboard-only users
• Users with cognitive disabilities

The Social Security Administration is a federal leader in this space, using automated tools, code reviews, and manual user testing. Read more: user accessibility evaluation.

5. Inclusive User Experience Testing

This expands beyond disability alone to ensure:

• Intuitive workflows
• Clear instructions
• Predictable navigation
• Low cognitive load

Digital.gov highlights future plans for increased user engagement and design studio-style testing. See the reference: inclusive user experience testing.

WCAG: The Core Standard for Accessibility Testing

Every accessibility test maps back to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), which is now updated to 2.2. The U.S. Access Board works with the W3C to harmonize federal rules with these updates. See the announcement: Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

Accessibility testing ensures products meet WCAG success criteria in the “POUR” principles:

• Perceivable
• Operable
• Understandable
• Robust

For U.S. education teams, WCAG 2.1 AA remains the prevailing procurement standard, but testing for 2.2 is now recommended.

ADA, Section 508 & WCAG: How They Influence Testing for Education

K–12 providers working with districts, and higher-education institutions working with federal funding, must ensure:

• Conformance with Section 508 compliance
• Conformance with WCAG 2.1 AA
• Awareness of pending WCAG 2.2 alignment
• Awareness of ADA expectations for public entities

This legal framework shapes how accessibility testing is scoped and reported, including VPATs, Accessibility Conformance Reports, and audit scorecards.

How Accessibility Testing Works Step-by-Step

Step 1: Run Early Automated Checks

Catch low-hanging issues such as poor color contrast, duplicate IDs, missing alt text, or incorrect ARIA usage.

Step 2: Conduct Deep Manual Testing

This includes:

• Keyboard-only navigation
• Logical focus order
• Headings and landmarks
• Forms and error validation
• Visible labels

Step 3: Test with Assistive Technologies

This ensures real-world compatibility. For example, alt text is mandatory under Section 508 because people using screen readers cannot access images without it. Read more here: screen readers.

Step 4: Review Against WCAG

Map failures to WCAG success criteria to build an actionable remediation plan.

Step 5: Perform User Accessibility Evaluation

This validates issues missed by tools or testers.

Step 6: Validate Final Experience with Inclusive UX Checks

This ensures no learner is unintentionally excluded due to confusing layouts or complex interactions.

Best Practices for U.S. Education Teams

To make accessibility testing sustainable, product teams should:

• Integrate testing into every sprint
• Include WCAG-savvy QA testers
• Run periodic third-party audits
• Incorporate user testing with AT users
• Maintain an accessible design system
• Document compliance with a VPAT

For guidance on VPAT documentation, review Magic EdTech’s VPAT compliance guide.

How Magic EdTech Supports Accessibility Testing

Magic EdTech provides end-to-end accessibility support, including WCAG audits, Section 508 evaluation, VPAT creation, remediation, and inclusive design coaching. Explore services here: Magic EdTech’s Accessibility Services.

Teams looking to understand their current gaps can also refer to:

• How To Run A Web Accessibility Audit Report For EdTech
• Why Accessibility Audits Are Essential to Digital Inclusivity
• Assessing Your Accessibility Audit

Magic’s experience includes:

• WCAG-compliant science simulations
• WCAG 2.1 AA portal remediation
• Enterprise-level accessibility testing for software providers
• Accessible eBook platform upgrades

These examples illustrate how a mature testing process accelerates compliance and improves learning outcomes.

Your Takeaway

Accessibility testing ensures that every learner, K–12 or higher ed, can fully participate in digital learning experiences. With clearer federal guidelines, stronger enforcement, and rising expectations from districts and universities, it is now a non-negotiable part of product development in the U.S.

By combining automated scans, manual evaluation, assistive technology testing, and user accessibility evaluation, education teams can deliver truly inclusive user experiences that meet ADA, WCAG, and Section 508 requirements.

And with the right expertise, partners like Magic EdTech help organizations create products that are not only compliant but accessible, intuitive, and equitable for every learner.