Manual Checking Accessibility

Why is this important?
  • Captures issues that built-in and automated checkers miss (e.g., vague alt text, confusing layout, unclear instructions, etc.).
  • Ensures real-world usability for people with disabilities.
  • Strengthens overall quality and clarity of content.
When to use it

Use manual checks when built-in and automated tools can't evaluate context, clarity or user experience 鈥 especially for documents, websites and multimedia intended for public use or high-impact communication.

Automatic captions for recorded videos are a helpful starting point, but they are often inaccurate. After uploading a video, review the autogenerated captions and edit them as needed. Correct any errors in words, names or phrases to provide accurate captions and full accessibility for all viewers.

How to use it

Review content visually and interactively.

Ask:

  • Does the document make sense when read aloud?
  • Can you navigate it easily using only a keyboard?
  • Are instructions, visuals and links clear and meaningful?
Example

A flyer passes the accessibility checker but includes an image labeled 鈥淚mage1鈥 and a link that says 鈥淐lick here.鈥 Manual review catches these issues and updates the alt text to 鈥淪tudent using a screen reader鈥 and the link to 鈥淩egister for Accessibility Workshop.鈥

What the Accessibility Checker Misses (Manual Review Needed)

Meaningful Alt Text

  • Checker only verifies if alt text exists, not if it鈥檚 descriptive (e.g., 鈥渋mage鈥 is not helpful).

Color vs. Information

  • Doesn鈥檛 flag when color alone conveys meaning (e.g., red = error, green = success).

Heading Hierarchy

  • Misses skipped levels (H1 鈫 H3) or improper structure.

Table Structure

  • Misses merged/split cells, nested tables or blank cells that confuse screen readers.

Logical Reading Order

  • Won鈥檛 catch incorrect reading order in complex layouts or slides.

Link Functionality and Context

  • Doesn鈥檛 check if links work or if text like 鈥渃lick here鈥 is descriptive.

Magnification

  • Doesn鈥檛 test if content remains usable at 200% or 400% zoom.

Complex Animations/Transitions

  • Won鈥檛 flag distracting or unnecessary motion.

Forms

  • Doesn鈥檛 check for proper field labeling or accessible error messages.

Extra or Empty Spaces

  • Won鈥檛 detect excessive spaces, tabs or blank lines that can confuse screen readers or cause awkward pauses.
Tip for Checking Accessibility
  • Try navigating with only a keyboard (Tab, Shift+Tab, Enter, Space Bar) to ensure logical flow.
  • Read content aloud to check for clarity, tone and structure.
  • Use Read Out Loud modes to test screen reader compatibility.
    • Microsoft Word (View > Immersive Reader)
    • Outlook (Message > Read Aloud)
    • Adobe Acrobat (Menu > View > Read Out Loud)

Training: