Creating an inclusive digital experience isn’t just about ticking compliance boxes—it’s about making sure everyone, regardless of ability, can engage with your content.
With the right accessibility tools, you can improve usability, meet legal requirements like WCAG, ADA, and the European Accessibility Act, and create a seamless experience for every user. Here’s our guide to the best tools to test, fix, and enhance website accessibility.
👉 Want a deeper dive? Download our Accessibility Whitepaper for insights on inclusive design, legal obligations, and how to embed accessibility into your process.
Why accessibility matters
Web accessibility ensures people with disabilities, including visual, auditory, motor, and cognitive impairments, can access your site effectively.
Prioritising accessibility benefits:
- Users: Equal access and improved experience.
- Businesses: Expanded reach, better SEO, and reduced legal risk.
- Compliance: Meet standards like WCAG 2.1, ADA, UK regulations, and the upcoming EAA.
According to Forrester, accessible websites can increase traffic by up to 12% and improve customer satisfaction across the board.
What is the European Accessibility Act (EAA)?
The European Accessibility Act came into effect in June 2025, requiring businesses that operate in the EU to ensure their digital products and services are accessible to people with disabilities.
This includes:
- Websites and apps
- E-commerce platforms
- Banking and financial services
- Transport, e-books, and more
Failing to comply could mean restricted market access or legal penalties. Now’s the time to get prepared – and we can help.
Must-have accessibility tools
1. Automated Accessibility Testing
These tools quickly surface WCAG issues and suggest fixes:
- WAVE – Highlights accessibility errors in your browser.
- axe DevTools – Advanced testing within Chrome and Firefox.
- Lighthouse – Google’s open-source audit tool.
2. Screen readers for testing
Simulate real-world use by those with visual impairments:
3. Colour contrast & vision simulators
Ensure your text is readable by all users:
- WebAIM Contrast Checker – Quick colour ratio checks.
- Color Oracle – Simulates colour blindness.
- Tota11y – Visual overlay of accessibility issues.
4. Keyboard navigation & focus testing
Many users rely on a keyboard, not a mouse:
- Tab Order Chrome Extension – Reveals focus order on pages.
- Focus Indicator Generator – Creates CSS outlines for visible focus.
- Manual Tab Testing – Try navigating with Tab/Shift+Tab only.
5. Tools for cognitive accessibility
Make content clearer and easier to process:
- BeeLine Reader – Adds coloured gradients to help guide the eye.
- Read&Write – Toolbar for support with reading, comprehension, and focus.
- Hemingway Editor – Highlights complex sentences and passive voice.
6. Captioning & transcription tools
Support users with hearing impairments:
7. Inclusive form & ARIA testing tools
Forms must be easy to navigate and complete:
- Form Filler Extension – Tests for accessibility and completion.
- ARIA Landmarks Extension – Validates semantic roles for screen readers.
- HTML_CodeSniffer – Scans your HTML for WCAG violations.
Best practices for accessible web design
- Design for accessibility from the beginning
- Follow WCAG 2.1 AA (or higher) standards
- Test with assistive tech and real users
- Train your teams on accessibility principles
How we can help
At Digital Wonderlab, we work with organisations to build digital products that are inclusive by design.
Whether you’re preparing for the European Accessibility Act, aiming for WCAG compliance, or simply want to do better for your users, we can help.
Talk to us about making your website accessible.
