What Is Wave Accessibility?
Wave accessibility and web tests are powerful tools that help you understand how inclusive your website really is. They provide essential insights into technical errors, user barriers, and legal risks, especially as digital compliance becomes increasingly important. In this blog, we explore how both wave accessibility and web tests play a key role in improving your site's usability and protecting your organisation.
What Is Wave Accessibility?
Wave accessibility is a popular online tool that scans web pages for accessibility issues. It highlights problems like missing alt text, low contrast, poor heading structure, and more. Developed by WebAIM, Wave is widely used by developers and auditors to get a visual overview of accessibility barriers.
This tool is ideal for spotting errors quickly, making it a great first step in any accessibility review. However, while Wave can show you what is broken, it cannot always explain why it matters or how real users are affected.
Wave by WebAIM is free to use and offers a browser extension, making it convenient for regular checks as your site evolves.
What Are Web Tests And Why Do They Matter?
Web tests go beyond automated scans. They include manual reviews, keyboard-only navigation tests, and live testing with disabled users. This human-centred approach helps uncover issues that automated tools miss, such as confusing layouts, non-descriptive link text, or inaccessible forms.
Web tests are essential for organisations looking to meet legal requirements under the Equality Act or the European Accessibility Act. Automated scans only provide partial coverage. Real testing provides real answers.
To be effective, web tests must follow structured processes, such as logical tab order checks, screen reader compatibility, and task-based user flows. These reveal how people with different impairments experience your website in the real world.
Limitations Of Wave Accessibility
Although Wave accessibility is a great place to start, it has limitations. It cannot check dynamic content accurately, it may miss issues with custom code, and it will not tell you how a user feels about their journey through your site.
In some cases, Wave can give a false sense of security. A site may show only a few errors in Wave, yet still be unusable for someone using assistive tech. Relying on Wave alone is like checking a car's tyres and assuming the whole engine works perfectly.
That is why Wave should be used as part of a broader testing strategy.
Combining Wave Accessibility And Web Tests
The best results come from using both approaches together. Wave gives you a quick snapshot, while web tests offer deeper insight. Together, they provide a well-rounded picture of your site's accessibility.
For example, Wave may flag missing labels, but a user test might reveal that a form is impossible to complete even with labels in place. Combining tools with real feedback ensures you make improvements that actually matter to the people using your site.
We use Wave accessibility as part of our audit process, but we never stop there. Our team of disabled testers provides feedback that makes websites better for everyone.
Why These Checks Matter Right Now
With the European Accessibility Act coming into force, the risks of non-compliance are real. Businesses could face lost contracts, damaged reputation, or even fines. Accessibility is no longer a nice-to-have.
Web tests help you identify these risks early. Wave accessibility highlights technical issues. Both support you in creating a roadmap to compliance. They help protect your brand and build trust with users.
Our Accessibility Audits Include Both
At Access by Design, we carry out detailed audits that combine automated scans with deep manual testing. We use Wave, but we also involve disabled users in every audit. Their feedback adds context that software alone cannot provide.
From forms that break keyboard navigation to image carousels that fail screen readers, we uncover the problems that frustrate your users — and show you exactly how to fix them.
We then support you with a compliant accessibility statement, practical guidance, and retesting to track progress.
Internal Links
Learn more about accessible websites
Discover our approach to accessible website design
External Links (opens in new window)
Try the Wave Accessibility Tool
Read about WebAIM's accessibility research
Conclusion
Wave accessibility and web tests are essential tools in your digital accessibility strategy. One gives you a technical overview. The other gives you real insight. Used together, they form the backbone of meaningful, measurable improvements.
If you are ready to improve your site’s accessibility, book a free consultation and find out how we can help.
