Testing methods: automated and manual

Automated accessibility tests run on the coded product or on live components. These tools scan interfaces for common problems like low contrast, missing labels, incorrect structure, or unclear focus behavior. They help teams monitor accessibility as new features ship and the product grows. This makes automation especially valuable in large systems where many updates happen quickly and need consistent checking.

Automation alone cannot capture how an experience feels when someone interacts with it. Many issues appear only through manual testing. Keyboard navigation, screen reader behavior, and the order in which elements are read all require human judgment. Designers and engineers need to move through the interface to understand how well it supports real users in real conditions. This is why design systems encourage both automated scans for fast detection and manual testing for deeper insight. Used together, they give teams a more complete understanding of the product’s accessibility.