Accessibility Testing Optimization Engine
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current accessibility testing methods, including automated and manual testing, face challenges in determining the optimal combination of tools for efficient accessibility testing of web applications, leading to inefficiencies and potential inaccuracies in compliance with accessibility standards.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize an optimization engine and rule-based analysis to identify the most effective combination of accessibility testing tools based on the specific elements present in a web application, their occurrences, and the required level of conformance, thereby optimizing the testing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated testing is used for accessibility assessment, then testing efficiency is improved, but testing accuracy deteriorates due to inability to detect descriptive quality of alt text and other nuanced issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines automated testing tools with manual testing processes into an integrated accessibility assessment system. Automated tools perform initial screening and structural analysis, while manual testing follows up to evaluate descriptive quality and nuanced accessibility issues, thereby merging the efficiency of automation with the accuracy of human judgment.
Solution Approach 2:
The testing process is segmented into multiple phases: automated testing phase for structural compliance, semi-automated phase using accessibility toolbars for intermediate checks, and manual testing phase for comprehensive evaluation. This segmentation allows each method to be applied where it is most effective, resolving the contradiction between speed and accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If manual testing is used for accessibility assessment, then testing accuracy is improved, but testing time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Automated testing is performed as a preliminary action before manual testing. This initial automated assessment identifies and flags structural compliance issues, allowing manual testers to focus their time and expertise on evaluating descriptive quality and nuanced accessibility concerns rather than checking basic structural requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual testing is applied partially - not to every single element, but selectively to areas identified by automated tools as requiring human judgment. This partial application of manual testing maintains accuracy where needed while reducing overall testing time through strategic resource allocation.
3Reliability
If multiple accessibility testing tools are used to ensure comprehensive coverage, then testing completeness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a multi-functional testing framework where a single integrated system coordinates multiple testing tools (automated testers, accessibility toolbars, manual testing protocols) to achieve comprehensive coverage. This universal approach allows different tools to be managed and coordinated through a unified interface, reducing the complexity burden on users while maintaining testing completeness.
Data Source
AI summary
System and method for accessibility testing of a web application is disclosed. Initially the system is configured to receive an accessibility standard and a level of conformance to be achieved for accessibility testing of a webpage associated with the web application. The system is further configured to identify a first set of an accessibility guidelines based on the accessibility standard and the level of conformance. The system further identifies a set of elements present in the webpage and determines a second set of the accessibility guidelines based upon the set of elements and a set of common guidelines applicable to all the webpage's of the web application. Furthermore, the system computes a number of occurrences of each element from the set of elements present in the webpage. Further, the system is configured to determine the time required for testing the web page using different combinations of testing tools by using an optimization engine based on the second set of accessibility guidelines, the level of conformance, and the number of occurrences of the element of each type in the webpage. Further the system enables performing a rule based analysis on the time required for testing the webpage using different combination of testing tools in order to determine a combination of accessibility testing tools to be used for accessibility testing of the web application.