The Axe accessibility testing tool is an open-source, JavaScript-based tool developed by Deque Systems. It is designed to help web developers and designers identify and resolve accessibility issues in web applications and websites.
Key aspects and features of axe include:
- Automated Accessibility Testing: axe is used for automated accessibility testing of web pages. It scans the content of web pages to identify common accessibility issues based on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) criteria.
- Browser Extensions and Integrations: axe provides browser extensions and integrations for various development environments and frameworks, making it easy to incorporate accessibility testing into the development workflow. It’s available as a browser extension for Chrome and Firefox and can be integrated into testing frameworks like Selenium, Cypress, and more.
- Fast and Efficient: It offers quick and efficient scans, providing immediate feedback on accessibility issues within the webpage.
- Detailed Issue Reporting: axe generates detailed reports outlining the accessibility issues detected on the webpage. It includes information about the specific elements causing issues and provides guidance on how to fix them, along with references to WCAG guidelines.
- Focus on Best Practices: axe emphasizes detecting violations of best practices for accessibility, such as missing alt attributes on images, improper use of ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) roles, insufficient color contrast, and more.
- Integration with Developer Tools: It integrates seamlessly with developer tools in browsers, allowing developers to inspect individual elements and understand the detected issues directly in the browser’s console.
- Accessibility API and Rules Engine: axe uses an accessibility rules engine that leverages the browser’s Accessibility API to analyze web content and evaluate its accessibility against a set of rules.
- Customization and Configuration: It provides options for customization and configuration, allowing users to adjust the testing criteria or exclude certain rules based on specific needs or contexts.
- Compliance with Standards: axe helps developers ensure compliance with accessibility standards and regulations, making web content more inclusive and usable for all users.
- Education and Support: axe provides educational resources, documentation, and support to assist developers in understanding accessibility principles and implementing improvements.