Automated Accessibility Testing via Context Replay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automated testing tools for software applications are cumbersome to develop and lack effective means for testing accessibility features, particularly for applications designed for physically disadvantaged users, making it difficult to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Innovation Solution
A method and system for testing software programs that determine a cursor position, ascertain an accessibility context, identify components by their context, and replay events to evaluate compliance with ADA standards, using accessibility APIs and data structures to record and modify component properties and methods, allowing for efficient and automated testing of accessibility features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated testing tools are used to test software applications, then testing efficiency is improved, but the complexity of script composition increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automated testing by having the testing tool automatically generate and execute test scripts based on accessibility context information, eliminating the need for manual script composition. The accessibility context self-describes the component properties and expected behavior, allowing the system to service itself in creating meaningful tests without human intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates copies of accessibility context information from the software application's components and uses these copies to automatically generate test scripts. By copying the accessibility context data structure and its inherent test requirements, the system transforms complex manual scripting into an automatic process that replicates the application's own accessibility specifications.
2Measurement precision
If manual evaluation of accessibility context is performed, then accessibility compliance can be assessed, but testing effort and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the manual mechanical process of evaluating accessibility context with an automated computational system. The testing tool automatically retrieves accessibility context information, compares it against compliance criteria, and generates test results without requiring manual human evaluation, thus maintaining measurement precision while dramatically reducing time consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The accessibility context data structure serves as an intermediary between the software application and the automated testing system. This intermediary automatically translates application component properties into testable accessibility requirements, enabling the testing system to assess compliance without direct manual human intervention while preserving assessment accuracy.
3Reliability
If accessibility features are tested manually, then compliance with ADA can be evaluated, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The automated testing system services itself by automatically generating, executing, and evaluating accessibility tests based on the software application's own accessibility context. This self-service capability maintains reliable ADA compliance evaluation while eliminating the operational burden of manual testing procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system copies accessibility context information and automatically generates corresponding test cases, replacing manual test creation and execution. This copying mechanism preserves the reliability of compliance evaluation by systematically replicating accessibility requirements while dramatically improving ease of operation through automation.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention provide systems, methods, software products and/or data structures for testing software programs. One exemplary set of embodiments provides a method for testing a software program. The method can be used in an object-oriented environment, and the software application can comprise a plurality of components.