AChecker Review

AChecker Web Accessibility tool stands out for its features and convenience

The importance of making your website accessible for all users is evident in these modern times, where numerous guidelines are enforced. Checking the site for web accessibility can not only reduce the threat of legal charges but will also raise awareness and care for the disabled. However, although web accessibility makes everyone’s life easier, it gets relatively tough to find the right tool for the scan.

Luckily, we’ll explain all the benefits of this solution in this AChecker review, as well as the user checks. Potential users will get to improve the web accessibility on their websites with easy-to-use methods. Besides, the AChecker tool offers several sets of features depending on the user type. We’ll cover all the AChecker web accessibility evaluation types and barriers along with the interactive approach on selective evaluations. Stay tuned as we dig deeper since AChecker could be the perfect web accessibility evaluation tool for you!

AChecker Solution, Tool, Checker, and Scanner Review

The AChecker web accessibility tool has been present for quite a while, ever since it got released back in 2008. It’s a product of the Inclusive Design Research Centre focusing on the interactive point of view on accessibility evaluation. Still, what users want to know the most is what differentiates this tool from the other solutions available. First off, it’s free, open-source software that anyone can access to evaluate websites’ web accessibility. On the other hand, it also enables the users to assemble their specific guidelines to run the test. Those that prefer making use of the original WC3 and other guidelines will have access to all standards. Furthermore, the AChecker relies on the Open Accessibility Checks to select all the available web accessibility checks. It’s one of the most significant benefits of the AChecker web accessibility review tool that makes diverse types of checks available for users.

Website owners can benefit the most from AChecker’s impeccable features and customization aspects. Namely, users can choose from regulated standards and guidelines or edit their own set of guidelines for the check. It’s crucial to know each specific feature of the AChecker review tool for web accessibility for higher efficiency. Still, some features stand out from the others because of their overall using convenience.

• AChecker guideline manager

As mentioned, the first specific feature of the AChecker web accessibility tool is the guidelines manager. Users can generate their own set of guidelines for check with this feature, allowing diverse use. Among the included guidelines, AChecker offers complete listings of the accessibility checks provided. The list of checked aspects shows once the audit is complete, and the same goes for manually-set guidelines. With this tool, website owners can select their preferred checks to run and save the further use guidelines.

• Check manager

Besides the guidelines manager, the AChecker solution offers another impressive customization feature – the check manager. With this tool, users can browse between 260 available accessibility checks on AChecker and select their preferred ones. This way, users can further enhance the convenience of the guidelines manager and make the tool fully-customizable for use.

• Overview of checked files

No matter the guidelines used, AChecker delivers a complete listing of the checked items and showcases the list with an explanation. This way, users can know exactly which aspects were part of the check. Moreover, AChecker offers the chance to view open to public aspects, close from public aspects, and edit any checklist.

• Web Accessibility Checker

This option is included in the AChecker review tool for web-accessible sites to determine if the site complies with prominent guidelines. The solution comes with a pre-integrated checklist of all the guidelines of the Open Accessibility Checks type. Most users will want to test the compliance with global web accessibility standards first; hence this option is present.

• User Manager 

This feature of AChecker enables users to customize and manage groups of users with access to AChecker tasks.

• Multi-Lingual platform

The AChecker web accessibility tool comes with a customizable language aspect to provide a diverse field of use. Users can add complete language packs in the AChecker tool, making it available for all users worldwide! The tool comes with English, German, and Italian as the main languages, while users from other native zones can add their language pack.

• The CSS Evaluator

AChecker tool gained the CSS Evaluator option during its first re-adjustment. Version 1.1 includes the mentioned aspect as an addition to the previous variant. This tool enables users to access and validate style sheets while the site’s web accessibility evaluation is underway.

• Color Contrast evaluation

This additional feature of AChecker involves checking the color contrast of each site segment to ensure that it’s readable by everyone. This option can benefit the visually-disabled visitors and provide better web accessibility overall.

• Guideline report view

The guideline report view is a new aspect of the AChecker tool that presents the evaluation checks corresponding to the check category.

• Batch decision making

For better-using convenience, the AChecker tool includes the batch decision-making feature. With this addition, users can get the full report on the checks and select multiple checks to handle the batch decision aspect.

Even after getting to know some of the main features of AChecker, it takes some time to process using it. It’s important to note that AChecker is available for free use online, or you can download it as an app. Either way, the tool interface enables users to start simply running web accessibility checks.

The AChecker review tool for web accessibility allows you to check by the web page URL, HTML file upload, or paste HTML markup. Next, users should select their preferred options among the main features mentioned and select their checkboxes. After this process is complete, users are just a few steps from running a fully-customized accessibility check. The remaining steps include selecting the preferred guidelines and selecting the view type based on a guideline or line number.

It’s also possible to run a complete website scan with the AChecker tool based on the selected parameters. Once the scan is complete, the results will show in several barrier categories:

• Known problems
• Likely problems
• Potential problems

Users will know to make a difference as known problems are shown to implement the guidelines selected. However, if AChecker detects a slight barrier, such as unclear text or image address, it will address it as a likely barrier. Likely, barriers can, on the other hand, prove irrelevant in case the tool misunderstood the real purpose. The AChecker will point out these problems, and users can decide if the checked aspect fits in the overall context or not. Lastly, potential problems are detected in case the AChecker warns the user and indicates these problems. The system will offer manual scans as an option to solve such barriers.

The first step in using the AChecker tool is to enter the tool interface online or download the app. Users should note that AChecker uses three different formats – CSS, HTML, and XHTML. Afterward, the website’s format that users want to check for web accessibility should be selected in the options.

The next step involves website owners using the check manager and guidelines manager to edit the guidelines. If, however, the user wants to use the existing guidelines, AChecker offers them all. The guidelines should be selected in the same manner as the format options, and the site is ready for the scan. Website owners have several ways of uploading the site address on AChecker. Lastly, it’s important to choose the report format to start running the customized scan.

The AChecker review tool for web accessibility comes with an integrated set of guidelines approved worldwide. Users can rely on these guidelines authorized by the WC3 and federal governments if customized guidelines aren’t required.

Find all information of the international web accessibility standards in our guide. Among such guidelines, AChecker makes use of the following:

• WCAG 1.0
• WCAG 2.0
• WCAG 2.1
• Section 508 of the U.S. Rehabilitation Act
• Stanca Act of Italy
• German BITV 5 Act
• EN 301 549 compliance

All the listed guidelines are authorized by federal governments worldwide. Besides, these guidelines implemented in AChecker contribute to a better selection of individual checks for customized guidelines.

Potential users and website owners can be pleased that AChecker is entirely free for online use! Moreover, the site offers a free download of the official AChecker app that website owners can enforce to evaluate web accessibility. It’s also possible to communicate with the AChecker customer service via e-mail at all times.