wave — screenshot of wave.webaim.org

wave

WAVE is a solid web accessibility evaluation tool for identifying WCAG errors and facilitating human review. While no automated tool catches everything, I find it a key first step in ensuring content is accessible.

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Questions & Answers

What is WAVE and what does it do?
WAVE is a suite of web accessibility evaluation tools that helps authors make web content more accessible. It identifies many accessibility and Web Content Accessibility Guideline (WCAG) errors and facilitates human evaluation.
Who can benefit from using WAVE?
WAVE is primarily for web content authors, developers, and accessibility professionals who need to evaluate and improve the accessibility of their websites for individuals with disabilities.
How does WAVE approach web accessibility evaluation compared to other tools?
WAVE focuses on issues that impact end users, facilitates human evaluation, and educates users about web accessibility. It goes beyond automated error detection by highlighting areas requiring manual review.
When is the best time to use WAVE for accessibility testing?
You can use WAVE at various stages of web development, from initial content creation to continuous integration processes. Browser extensions are handy for testing password-protected or dynamic pages, while APIs support large-scale site evaluations.
Can WAVE be integrated into existing development workflows?
Yes, the WAVE subscription API and stand-alone API and Testing Engine can be integrated into infrastructure for testing intranet, non-public, and secure pages, including within continuous integration processes.