On This Page
- How We Curate This Registry
- Testing Tools
- Learning Resources
- Services & Consultants
- Assistive Technologies
- Community & News
- UA Internal Resources
- Choosing the Right Tool
- Suggest a Resource
Why This Registry Exists
Navigating the accessibility tool landscape can be overwhelming. This registry is maintained by the UA Digital Accessibility team to give you vetted, reliable recommendations — whether you're a developer running your first audit, a content creator checking contrast, or a leader evaluating enterprise tools. Every resource listed here has been reviewed for accuracy, reliability, and relevance to higher education.
How We Curate This Registry
Every resource in this registry is evaluated against four criteria before inclusion:
- Accuracy: Does it reflect current WCAG standards (2.1/2.2)?
- Reliability: Is it actively maintained with regular updates?
- Relevance: Does it serve UA’s specific needs in higher education?
- Accessibility: Is the resource itself accessible to people with disabilities?
Resources are reviewed quarterly. Items that become outdated, unmaintained, or inaccurate are removed. If you find a broken link or outdated information, please let us know.
Testing Tools
Automated testing catches roughly 30–40% of accessibility issues. The remaining 60–70% require manual testing with assistive technologies and human judgment. Use a combination of tools for the most complete coverage.
Automated Testing
These tools scan your content and flag potential WCAG violations. They’re fast and great for catching common issues, but they can’t evaluate things like whether alt text is meaningful or whether focus order is logical.
| Resource | Platform | What It Tests | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| axe DevTools | Chrome, Firefox extension | WCAG 2.1 AA violations in web pages. Industry standard with the lowest false-positive rate. | Free (Pro tier available) |
| WAVE | Browser extension, web service | Visual overlay showing errors, alerts, and structural elements directly on the page. Best for beginners. | Free |
| Accessibility Insights | Chrome extension, Windows, Android | Web (FastPass + full Assessment), Windows apps, Android apps. Includes guided manual checks. | Free |
| Pa11y | Command line, CI/CD | Headless accessibility testing for build pipelines. Supports WCAG 2.1 AA with HTML CodeSniffer or axe-core runners. | Free |
| Lighthouse | Chrome DevTools, CLI | Built into Chrome DevTools. Includes accessibility scoring alongside performance and SEO. Good starting point but less thorough than axe. | Free |
UA Recommendation: Start with axe DevTools for web page testing. It has the most reliable rule set and lowest false-positive rate in the industry. Add Accessibility Insights when you need guided manual testing steps.
Color & Contrast Testing
| Resource | Platform | Description | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colour Contrast Analyser (CCA) | Windows, macOS desktop app | Eyedropper tool to check contrast ratios of any on-screen elements. Tests against both AA and AAA thresholds. | Free |
| WebAIM Contrast Checker | Web | Enter hex values to check contrast. Shows pass/fail for normal text, large text, and UI components. | Free |
| Who Can Use | Web | Shows how a color combination appears to people with different types of color vision deficiency. | Free |
| Stark | Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD plugin | Contrast checking and color blindness simulation within design tools. Integrates into the design workflow. | Free tier available |
Document & PDF Testing
| Resource | Platform | Description | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| PAVE PDF Checker | Web service | Free online PDF/UA validator. Tests PDF accessibility against the PDF/UA standard and provides detailed, actionable reports. | Free |
| Adobe Acrobat Pro | Windows, macOS | Built-in accessibility checker and remediation tools. UA has site license — check softwarelicense.arizona.edu. | UA site license |
| Microsoft Accessibility Checker | Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook | Built-in checker in Microsoft 365. Run before exporting any document. Available to all UA users via Microsoft 365. | Included with M365 |
| Grackle | Google Docs, Sheets, Slides add-on | Accessibility checker for Google Workspace. Evaluates structure, alt text, contrast, and reading order. | Free tier available |
Learning Resources
Whether you’re just starting your accessibility journey or looking to deepen expertise, these resources provide high-quality, standards-based education.
Foundational Courses
| Resource | Provider | Level | Format | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W3C Introduction to Web Accessibility | W3C / edX | Beginner | Self-paced online course, ~16 hours | Free (certificate available) |
| web.dev Learn Accessibility | Beginner–Intermediate | Interactive articles with exercises | Free | |
| Microsoft Accessibility Fundamentals | Microsoft Learn | Beginner | Modular learning path, ~4 hours | Free |
| Teach Access Tutorial | Teach Access | Beginner | Interactive web tutorial | Free |
Advanced & Specialized Training
| Resource | Provider | Level | Focus | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deque University | Deque Systems | Intermediate–Advanced | Role-based curriculum: developers, designers, testers, managers. Includes IAAP exam prep. | Paid (volume discounts for institutions) |
| WebAIM Training | WebAIM | Intermediate | Customizable workshops, document accessibility, web development | Paid |
| Inclusive Design Principles | Inclusive Design Project | All levels | Design thinking framework for inclusive digital products | Free |
Reference Libraries
| Resource | Description | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| WebAIM Articles | Extensive library of accessibility technique articles, written for practitioners | Quick reference on specific topics (forms, tables, ARIA, etc.) |
| A11y Style Guide | Living style guide showcasing accessible web component patterns with code examples | Developers building UI components |
| Inclusive Components | Heydon Pickering’s deep-dive explorations of building common UI patterns accessibly | Advanced developers wanting to understand the why behind patterns |
| WAI-ARIA Authoring Practices | Official W3C patterns and examples for ARIA widget implementation | Developers implementing custom widgets |
| WCAG 2.2 Quick Reference | Filterable, searchable reference for all WCAG success criteria with techniques | Anyone needing to look up a specific WCAG criterion |
UA Recommendation: Start with the W3C Foundations Course for broad context, then use web.dev Learn Accessibility for hands-on developer skills. Bookmark WebAIM Articles as your go-to reference.
Services & Consultants
When you need expert help beyond what internal teams can provide — for audits, remediation, training, or strategic planning.
When to Engage External Services
- Large-scale audits: Enterprise platforms, major website redesigns, or institution-wide assessments
- Remediation support: Complex PDF remediation, legacy system fixes, or high-volume document conversion
- Specialized training: Custom workshops for specific teams, tools, or technologies
- Expert witness or legal support: Responding to complaints or proactive legal compliance
Accessibility Consultancies
| Organization | Specialties | Higher Ed Experience | Engagement Types |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deque Systems | Web/mobile auditing, enterprise tooling, training | Extensive (partner with many universities) | Audits, training, platform licensing |
| Level Access | Accessibility management platform, monitoring, testing | Extensive | Platform + services, ongoing monitoring |
| TPGi | Expert auditing, training, custom consulting | Strong | Audits, training, consulting |
| Knowbility | Training, AIR certification, community programs | Strong (nonprofit, education-focused) | Training, certification, community events |
| WebAIM (USU) | Auditing, training, research, annual surveys | Extensive (part of Utah State University) | Audits, training, custom research |
| Accessible Web (RAMP) | Compliance monitoring, remediation, WordPress | Growing | Platform, monitoring, remediation |
Procurement Tip: Before engaging an external consultant, check with the Digital Accessibility team — we may already have a relationship or contract in place. See the Accessible Procurement Process for vendor evaluation guidance.
Assistive Technologies
Understanding assistive technologies helps you build better products and test more effectively. These are the tools people with disabilities actually use to access your content.
Screen Readers
Screen readers convert on-screen content to synthesized speech or braille output. They’re essential testing tools for any accessibility practitioner.
| Screen Reader | Platform | Description | Cost | Testing Priority |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NVDA | Windows | Free, open-source screen reader. Most popular free option; widely used in education and enterprise. Download and learn it — this is your primary testing tool on Windows. | Free | Primary (Windows) |
| JAWS | Windows | Industry-standard commercial screen reader. Dominant in enterprise and government environments. More features than NVDA but requires license. | Paid (UA may have licenses — check IT) | Secondary (Windows) |
| VoiceOver | macOS, iOS, iPadOS | Apple’s built-in screen reader. No installation needed — activate with Cmd+F5 (Mac) or triple-click Home/Side button (iOS). Essential for testing Apple platforms. | Built-in | Primary (Apple) |
| TalkBack | Android | Google’s built-in screen reader for Android devices. Activate in Settings → Accessibility. Essential for testing Android apps. | Built-in | Primary (Android) |
| Narrator | Windows | Microsoft’s built-in screen reader. Good for quick checks but less capable than NVDA/JAWS for comprehensive testing. | Built-in | Supplementary |
Testing Best Practice: The WebAIM Screen Reader Survey consistently shows that NVDA + Chrome and JAWS + Chrome are the most commonly used desktop combinations. For mobile, VoiceOver + Safari (iOS) and TalkBack + Chrome (Android) are dominant. Test with at least one desktop and one mobile combination.
Other Assistive Technologies
These technologies represent the broader spectrum of how people interact with digital content. Consider them during design and testing.
| Technology | What It Does | Testing Implications |
|---|---|---|
| Dragon NaturallySpeaking | Voice recognition for hands-free computer control and dictation | All interactive elements must have visible labels matching their accessible names |
| Switch Access | Navigate using one or more switches (buttons, sip-and-puff devices) | Focus order must be logical; all functionality reachable sequentially |
| ZoomText | Screen magnification with optional screen reader features | Content must reflow when zoomed; avoid fixed-size containers |
| Eye tracking | Control computer with eye movement | Touch targets must be large enough; dwell-click support important |
| Refreshable braille displays | Convert screen text to dynamic braille output | Proper semantic structure is critical; ARIA labels must be concise |
Community & News
Stay current with accessibility developments, connect with practitioners, and participate in the broader community.
Newsletters & Publications
| Resource | Frequency | Focus | Subscribe |
|---|---|---|---|
| A11y Weekly | Weekly | Curated accessibility links — the most consistently useful newsletter in the field | Free email |
| WebAIM Newsletter | Monthly | In-depth articles, survey results, and resource updates from the WebAIM team | Free email |
| Accessibility in Government | Irregular | UK Government Digital Service blog on accessibility — excellent case studies | RSS/web |
Conferences & Events
| Event | When | Format | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| axe-con | Annual (March) | Virtual conference with talks from industry experts, role-based tracks | Free |
| CSUN Assistive Technology Conference | Annual (March) | Largest assistive technology conference in the world. In-person + virtual. | Paid |
| Inclusive Design 24 (ID24) | Annual (various) | Free 24-hour online accessibility conference with global speakers | Free |
| A11y Camp | Annual | Community-driven Australian accessibility unconference, open to all | Low cost |
Communities of Practice
| Community | Platform | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| The A11Y Project | Web / GitHub | Community-driven effort to make accessibility easier. Excellent checklist and resource collection. |
| WebAIM Discussion List | Email list | Active community of accessibility practitioners — great for asking specific questions. |
| EDUCAUSE IT Accessibility | EDUCAUSE community | Higher education-specific accessibility community. Directly relevant to UA’s work. |
| #a11y on social media | Various | The #a11y hashtag (numeronym for “accessibility”) is the gathering point across platforms. |
UA Internal Resources
These are University of Arizona-specific resources, contacts, and services for accessibility support.
| ID | Resource | URL | UA Owner | Who It’s For | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RR-01 | UA Digital Accessibility Home | accessibility.arizona.edu | Digital Accessibility Team | Everyone | Quarterly |
| RR-02 | DRC — Disability Resource Center | drc.arizona.edu | DRC | Students, Faculty, Staff | Quarterly |
| RR-03 | IT Accessibility Tips & Guides | itaccessibility.arizona.edu | UITS | Content creators, Developers | Quarterly |
| RR-04 | UA Software Licensing | softwarelicense.arizona.edu | UITS | Faculty, Staff | Semi-annual |
| RR-05 | UCATT Teaching Resources | ucatt.arizona.edu | UCATT | Faculty, Instructors | Quarterly |
| RR-06 | UA Brand Guidelines | brand.arizona.edu | MarCom | Content creators, Designers | Semi-annual |
| RR-07 | Arizona Quickstart | quickstart.arizona.edu | Arizona Digital | Web developers | Quarterly |
| RR-08 | Accessibility Consultation Request | Submit request | Digital Accessibility Team | Anyone needing help | — |
Choosing the Right Tool
With so many options, here’s how to pick the right tools for your role:
If You’re a Developer
- Install axe DevTools browser extension — run it on every page you build
- Download NVDA (Windows) — learn basic screen reader testing
- Bookmark WAI-ARIA Authoring Practices — reference for custom widgets
- Follow A11y Weekly — stay current on best practices
If You’re a Content Creator
- Use the Microsoft Accessibility Checker in every document before sharing
- Bookmark WebAIM Contrast Checker — test colors before publishing
- Take the W3C Foundations Course — understand the basics
- Use Grackle if you work in Google Workspace
If You’re a Designer
- Install Stark in your design tool — check contrast as you design
- Download the Colour Contrast Analyser — test anything on screen
- Read Inclusive Design Principles — shift your design thinking
- Bookmark the contrast requirements table in the Brand Identity guide
If You’re a Manager or Leader
- Take the Microsoft Accessibility Fundamentals course — quick overview
- Review the Governance Charter — understand UA’s approach
- Read the Procurement Process — ensure accessible purchasing
- Join the EDUCAUSE IT Accessibility community — connect with higher ed peers
If You’re a Faculty Member
- Use the Microsoft Accessibility Checker before posting to D2L/Brightspace
- Take the W3C Foundations Course — foundational knowledge
- Check with UCATT for accessible teaching resources and templates
- Read the Accessible Syllabus Guide
Suggest a Resource
Know of a great accessibility resource that should be listed here? We welcome suggestions from the UA community.
To suggest a resource, include:
- Resource name and URL
- Brief description of what it does
- Who would benefit from it
- Whether it’s free or paid
Submit suggestions to accessibility@arizona.edu with “Resource Registry Suggestion” in the subject line, or use the support page.
Related Resources
- Testing Tools Guide — Detailed testing tool walkthroughs
- Accessibility 101 — Getting started with accessibility
- Procurement Process — Evaluating vendor accessibility
- Governance Charter — UA’s accessibility governance framework