Keep track of your progress with this manual audit spreadsheet.

Make sure your website works for everyone by checking these key areas:

1. Screen reader: Test with popular screen readers like JAWS, NVDA, or VoiceOver. Ensure all elements provide context, can be* accessed easily, and don't "trap" users.

2. Keyboard: Ditch the mouse and navigate only with your keyboard. Note the elements you cannot access or interact with, and watch for lost focus—it may signal a missing focus state or movement to a hidden element.

   • WCAG 2.2 Level A: Keyboard
   • WCAG 2.2 Level A: No Keyboard Trap

3. Usability & flow: Is everything intuitive and predictable? Buttons should look and function like buttons, links should look and function like links, and so on. Check the tab order to ensure a smooth, logical experience.

   • WCAG 2.2 Level A: Focus Order

4. Forms: Ensure all forms have the appropriate semantic elements and attributes and have a label to provide context. If a captcha is used, be sure there are alternatives to accommodate different disabilities.

   • WCAG 2.2 Level A: Info and Relationships
   • WCAG 2.2 Level AA: Headings and Labels
   • WCAG 2.2 Level A: Non-text Content

5. Dialog boxes and popups: Make sure dialogs are accessible by using proper semantic elements and managing focus—moving it in when opened, looping within, and returning it when closed.

   • WCAG 2.2 Level A: Info and Relationships
   • WCAG 2.2 Level A: Keyboard
   • WCAG 2.2 Level A: No Keyboard Trap

6. Multimedia: Make media accessible—audio should have transcripts, videos should have captions and descriptions along with pause options for autoplay, and all text-based graphics should have alt text.

   • WCAG 2.2 Level A: Audio-only and Video-only (Prerecorded)
   • WCAG 2.2 Level A: Captions (Prerecorded)
   • WCAG 2.2 Level A: Audio Description or Media Alternative (Prerecorded)
   • WCAG 2.2 Level A: Captions (Live)
   • WCAG 2.2 Level A: Audio Description (Prerecorded)

7. Links and buttons: Make sure links and buttons use the correct semantic elements and have text that provides enough context to describe the link or action.

   • WCAG 2.2 Level A: Info and Relationships
   • WCAG 2.2 Level A: Link Purpose (In Context)
   • WCAG 2.2 Level AAA: Link Purpose (Link Only)

8. Logical headings: Use headings correctly—there should only be one H1 per page, and they should follow a logical order. This helps screen reader users navigate efficiently.

   • WCAG 2.2 Level A: Info and Relationships
   • WCAG 2.2 Level A: Bypass Blocks

9. Skip navigation links: The "skip to main content" link should be the first focusable element on the page, helping users skip past the main menu.

   • WCAG 2.2 Level A: Bypass Blocks

10. Images: Add alt text to all images—use empty alt for decorative ones. You should avoid text in images, but if needed, include it in the alt text.

    • WCAG 2.2 Level A: Non-text Content
    • WCAG 2.2 Level AA: Images of text

11. Data tables: Ensure tables have necessary column and row headings, groups, captions, and summaries to aid navigation for all users.

    • WCAG 2.2 Level A: Info and Relationships
    • WCAG 2.2 Level A: Sensory Characteristics

12. iFrame titles: Include descriptive title attributes for iFrames on the page.

    • WCAG 2.2 Level AA: Heading and Labels

13. Colors and contrast: Ensure text has at least 4.5:1 contrast with the background, and UI elements meet a 3:1 ratio. Don't rely on color alone to show actions—use additional cues.

    • WCAG 2.2 Level AA: Contrast (Minimum)
    • WCAG 2.2 Level A: Use of Color
    • WCAG 2.2 Level A: Non-text Contrast

14. Font size/zoom: Users should be able to scale text without breaking the design when adjusting their browser's font-size settings.

    • WCAG 2.2 Level AA: Resize Text

15. Touch-friendly elements: Ensure buttons and inputs are a minimum of 24 by 24 pixels for mobile users.

    • WCAG 2.2 Level AA: Target Size (Minimum)

16. Animations: Give users control over the animation and respect their system preferences for reduced motion. (Level AAA).

    • WCAG 2.2 Level A: Pase, Stop, Hide
    • WCAG 2.2 Level AAA: Animation from Interaction

17. Focus states: Every focusable element must have a focus state. Focus should never be "lost" while tabbing through the page.

    • WCAG 2.2 Level AA Focus Visible

As you did with the automated audit, list the issues you find in a document or as tickets in your project management system of choice.