mind the WCAG automation gap

Disclaimer: this content was partially produced via automation FTW!  Don’t fear the AI future or the reaper.

What can automated tools test without humans?

SC 1.1.1 Non-text Content (A)

Testability: Partial

Automation can:

  • Detect presence or absence of alt attributes.
  • Identify empty/missing alt on elements.
  • Identify images using role=”presentation” or aria-hidden=”true”.

Automation cannot:

  • Assess if alt text is meaningful or contextually accurate.
  • Confirm whether the alt conveys the image’s purpose.
  • Validate completeness of alternatives for complex content (e.g., charts).

SC 1.2.1 Audio-only and Video-only (Prerecorded) (A)

Testability: Partial

Automation can:

  • Detect presence of / elements.
  • Check for linked transcript or text alternative.

Automation cannot:

  • Determine whether the alternative is equivalent in information content.
  • Evaluate accuracy or completeness of the transcript or description.

SC 1.2.2 Captions (Prerecorded) (A)

Testability: Partial

Automation can:

  • Detect elements.
  • Identify association with media.

Automation cannot:

  • Determine if captions are accurate, complete, or synchronized.
  • Evaluate whether all spoken content and sounds are included.

SC 1.2.3 Audio Description or Media Alternative (Prerecorded) (A)

Testability: Partial

Automation can:

  • Detect presence of a description track or a text-based alternative.
  • Identify or aria-describedby.

Automation cannot:

  • Evaluate whether the visual content is comprehensively described.
  • Confirm that essential visual information is not omitted.

SC 1.2.4 Captions (Live) (AA)

Testability: Partial

Automation can:

  • Identify live streaming and detect whether captions are delivered in real time.
  • Confirm on live video.

Automation cannot:

  • Evaluate real-time accuracy, [...]

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