Accessibility Tester Job Description: Salary, Responsibilities & More (2023)

Accessibility testers are responsible for evaluating the accessibility of digital products. This often involves testing websites, apps, and other software to ensure they meet specific accessibility standards.

Accessibility testers may also be tasked with identifying potential issues or issues with a product's design or functionality. You can even work with developers to help them improve their designs so they can better accommodate all types of users in the future.

Accessibility tester tasks

Accessibility testers have a wide range of responsibilities which may include:

• Evaluation of websites with special software to determine ease of use for people with disabilities
• Identify potential issues with products or services that may cause difficulties for people with disabilities
• Conducting physical testing of buildings, including evaluating stairs, elevators, doors, and restrooms
• Identify barriers that make it difficult for people with disabilities to use facilities such as retail stores, restaurants, banks and concert halls
• Conducting interviews with employees who interact directly with customers to identify issues they may have encountered that could frustrate or embarrass their customers
• Proposals to improve accessibility showing possible solutions to identified barriers
• Identify issues that may prevent people with disabilities from using certain devices or facilities, eg B. Devices that are not compatible with assistive technologies used by people with disabilities
• Conducting customer surveys to determine their satisfaction with the level of service provided by companies
• Reviewing Websites for Compliance with Federal Accessibility Laws for Persons with Disabilities

Salary and Outlook for Accessibility Testers

Accessibility testers salaries vary based on their educational level, years of experience, and the type of company they work for.

• Average annual salary:US$ 76.500 (US$ 36,78/hora)
• Annual salary of the top 10%:US$ 122.000 (US$ 58,65/hora)

Employment of accessibility testers is expected to grow faster than average over the next ten years.

As more people with disabilities enter the workforce, the demand for accessibility testers will increase. Organizations must ensure that their websites and other digital products are accessible to these consumers.

Job requirements for accessibility testers

To become an accessibility tester, you will likely need the following:

Education:Most employers require accessibility testers to have a bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, human-computer interaction, or another closely related field. Some employers may prefer candidates with a master's degree in computer science or human-computer interaction.

Training experience:Most companies offer in-service training for accessibility testers. This training teaches testers how to use the software or website they are testing and how to perform the necessary tests. Training can also include how to report findings and communicate with other team members.

Certifications and Licenses:While certifications are not required to become an accessibility tester, they can be beneficial for anyone wanting to become an accessibility testing expert.

Accessibility tester skills

Accessibility testers need the following skills to be successful:

Attention to the details:Attention to detail is the ability to notice small changes in a system or environment. As an accessibility tester, you need to be able to detect small changes to a website or application to determine whether it is fully accessible. For example, if a site has a button that is slightly higher than the other buttons, you need to watch for this change to ensure the site is fully accessible.

communication skills:Communication skills are also important for accessibility testers. They use these skills to communicate with developers and other stakeholders about the results of their tests. They also use these skills to explain their testing methods and results to other accessibility testers.

Erase computer:Computer literacy is a necessary skill for accessibility testers because it enables them to navigate and use software and applications. This ability also allows them to recognize and understand any accessibility issues that may arise.

Creative thinking:As an accessibility tester, you may find yourself in situations where you need to come up with creative solutions to overcome accessibility issues. For example, you might need to find a way to test a website that doesn't have a screen reader available. You may need to consider how to simulate a blind person's experience and find a way to navigate the site.

Multitasking:When performing an accessibility audit, you may need to perform several tasks to ensure that you are covering all aspects of your website or application. For example, you may need to test the accessibility of a website while at the same time testing the accessibility of a mobile app. This requires you to be able to switch between tasks quickly and efficiently.

Desktop for accessibility testers

Accessibility testers work in a variety of environments, including office environments, factories and manufacturing facilities, retail stores, and educational institutions. You can work independently or as part of a team. Accessibility testers generally work regular business hours, but may occasionally work nights or weekends to accommodate their clients' schedules. Some accessibility testers travel to different locations to test the accessibility of a building, product or service.

Accessibility tester trends

Here are three trends influencing the way accessibility testers work. Accessibility testers need to stay current with these developments to keep their skills relevant and maintain a competitive edge in the workplace.

The growth of automated testing

The growth of automated testing is a trend that is rapidly changing the world of software development. Automated tests allow developers to run tests against their code without having to manually run each one individually. This allows them to focus on writing code and fixing bugs instead of spending time on manual testing tasks.

As automated testing becomes more popular, companies need professionals who can test their products for accessibility issues. Accessibility testers are already in high demand, and this trend is likely to continue as automated testing becomes more widespread.

Increased focus on user experience (UX) testing

User experience (UX) testing is becoming more and more important in the world of software development. As users get used to using technology in their daily lives, they expect products to be easy to use and understand.

Accessibility testers can capitalize on this trend by specializing in UX testing. You can help make the products accessible to all users, regardless of their skills or preferences. In addition, they can also help companies create products that are easier to use overall, which can result in higher customer satisfaction.

Increased emphasis on security testing

As organizations become more dependent on technology, the importance of security testing becomes more apparent. This trend is likely to continue into the future as more and more data is stored online.

Accessibility testers can capitalize on this trend by becoming experts in security testing. In this way, they can help companies protect their data from hackers and other threats.

How to become an accessibility tester

When starting your career as an accessibility tester, it's important to first understand an accessibility tester's role and responsibilities. As an accessibility tester, you are responsible for testing websites, apps and other digital products to ensure they are accessible to people with disabilities. This can include tests such as color contrast, font size and text readability.

To become an accessibility tester, it's important to have a strong understanding of web design and development best practices. You should also have experience working with HTML, CSS and JavaScript. It also helps if you are knowledgeable about assistive technologies such as screen readers and magnification software.

advancement opportunities

The prospects for advancement for accessibility testers are good as the field is expected to grow. Testers with experience and expertise in a particular software program or type of disability can find employment as consultants. Those who wish to enter administration can do so by becoming accessibility coordinators or directors.

Accessibility tester job description example

As an accessibility tester at [CompanyX], you are responsible for testing our products for compliance with accessibility standards such as WCAG 2.0 and Section 508. They are also responsible for writing and maintaining accessibility testing documentation such as test plans, test cases and bug reports. The ideal candidate will have experience with a variety of accessibility testing tools and methodologies, as well as a strong understanding of accessibility standards and how they apply to web, mobile, and software applications.

obligations

• Understand accessibility guidelines (WCAG, Section 508, ADA, AODA) and apply them to digital products
• Manually test websites, web apps, and mobile apps for compliance with accessibility standards
• Use a variety of testing tools, including screen readers, to identify potential accessibility issues
• Document results in an accessible format for review by developers and other stakeholders
• Work with developers to resolve identified accessibility issues
• Retest products after fixes are implemented to ensure issues are properly resolved
• Stay up-to-date on new technology and accessibility trends
• Educate team members on accessibility best practices
• Advocate for incorporating accessibility considerations into all phases of product development
• Participate in usability testing to gain insight into how people with disabilities use products
• Assist in creating accessible documentation such as policies, procedures and user guides
• Provide training and awareness sessions on accessibility issues for internal and external audiences

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field or equivalent experience
• More than 3 years of professional experience in software quality assurance or testing
• Experience with manual and automated testing tools including Selenium, WebDriver and JUnit
• Experience in developing test plans, cases and scenarios
• Solid understanding of the software development process and agile methodology
• Excellent communication, problem solving and analytical skills

Preferred skills and qualifications

• Working knowledge of accessibility guidelines, including WCAG 2.0 and Section 508
• Familiarity with screen readers such as JAWS, NVDA and VoiceOver
• Experience with assistive technologies like ZoomText and MAGic
• Ability to program in at least one programming language such as Java, JavaScript or Python