Welcome back to our series on Digital Accessibility Testing Fundamentals! In this last installment, we’ll discuss some of the Code Review Testing for digital accessibility and why it is a critical step toward building inclusive digital products.

In today’s digital landscape, accessibility has become an integral part of creating inclusive and user-friendly experiences for all individuals. While designing and developing digital products with accessibility in mind is crucial, it’s equally important to ensure that accessibility features are implemented correctly through code review. Code review plays a pivotal role in identifying coding errors and potential issues that may impact accessibility.

What is Code Review?

Code review is a systematic examination of source code to identify and rectify any errors, bugs, or issues before they are integrated into the final product. It involves a comprehensive analysis of the codebase by one or more reviewers who scrutinize the code to ensure its quality, readability, maintainability, and compliance with best practices and standards.

Importance of Accessibility in Digital Products

Accessibility aims to make digital products usable by everyone, including individuals with disabilities. It encompasses various aspects, such as visual impairment, hearing loss, motor disabilities, cognitive impairments, and more. By considering accessibility from the early stages of product development, we can ensure that individuals with disabilities have equal access to information, services, and opportunities provided by digital platforms. Accessibility not only benefits people with disabilities but also enhances the overall user experience for all users.

The Role of Code Review in Ensuring Accessibility

Code review provides a valuable opportunity to assess and verify that accessibility features have been implemented correctly. By incorporating accessibility checks into the code review process, developers and reviewers can identify potential issues and coding errors that might affect the accessibility of the digital product.

Here are some key reasons why code review is crucial in guaranteeing accessibility:

1. Compliance with Accessibility Standards: Code review allows developers to verify whether the code adheres to accessibility standards such as the  Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Reviewers can ensure that the appropriate HTML elements, ARIA attributes, and semantic markup are used correctly. They can also check if color contrast ratios, text alternatives for non-text content, keyboard navigation, and other essential accessibility features are properly implemented.
2. Identification of Potential Accessibility Issues: During code review, reviewers can identify potential accessibility issues that might have been overlooked during the development process. By examining the codebase, they can spot common mistakes like missing alternative text for images, improper use of headings, lack of focus management, or insufficient support for assistive technologies. Reviewers can then provide constructive feedback to developers, enabling them to rectify these issues early on.
3. Continuous Improvement and Knowledge Sharing: Code review promotes collaboration and knowledge sharing among developers. Accessibility-related discussions during code review sessions can help spread awareness about best practices and techniques for ensuring accessibility. Reviewers can share insights, resources, and experiences, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and accessibility awareness within the development team.
4. Enhanced Code Quality and Maintenance: Code review not only improve accessibility but also enhances overall code quality. By catching and resolving coding errors, reviewers can contribute to the stability and maintainability of the codebase. Well-maintained code that follows best practices is easier to understand, update, and debug, saving time and effort in the long run.

Code review plays a vital role in ensuring that accessibility features are correctly implemented in digital products. By incorporating accessibility checks into the code review process, developers and reviewers can identify and rectify potential issues, ensuring equal access and a seamless user experience for individuals with disabilities. Moreover, code review facilitates continuous improvement, collaboration, and knowledge sharing within development teams, leading to the creation of inclusive and accessible digital products. Let’s embrace the power of code review and work together to build a more accessible and inclusive digital world.

For more information on why accessibility is important in general, you can check out my previous blog post here.

For further information on how to make your product accessible to your audience, contact our experienced design experts, check out our Accessibility IQ for your website, download our guide Digitally Accessible Experiences: Why It Matters and How to Create Them, read more from our UX for Accessible Design series.

So, What Comes Next?

In the next post, we’ll continue to celebrate Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD).

Stay in touch and follow my next post.