What is the Trusted Tester Process for Web?
The Trusted Tester process for Web is a repeatable, accurate, scalable method for evaluating web content for conformance with the Revised Section 508 Standards. This test process combines manual and tool-aided test instructions for testers to determine conformance with the applicable Revised Section 508 standards for web content. The test process incorporates all tests in the “Harmonized Processes for Revised 508 Testing: Baseline Tests for Web Accessibility” version 3.0. The test process does not utilize specific assistive technologies. Instead, a tester performs manual user interface inspection with the aid of a tool to determine if the web content has met requirements as described in Trusted Tester for Web.
What is a Trusted Tester?
A Trusted Tester is a person certified to provide accurate and repeatable test results, following the Trusted Tester Section 508 Conformance Test Process for Web. A Trusted Tester uses approved testing tools, and evaluates web content for conformance with Revised Section 508 Standards as defined by the Trusted Tester Process for Web. Trusted Testers are those who have passed the Trusted Tester Certification Exam for Web and received a certification number from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Test Sequence
This test process was designed to streamline the sequence for testers. However, certified Trusted Testers may choose to test in their preferred order. The numbering of the tests within the test process does not necessarily indicate the order that tests must be performed; each tester and each application may determine the optimal testing order for analysis and productivity. However, here is a recommended order:
- Test 1: Conforming Alternate Version. Identifying conforming alternate versions of content helps define the scope of testing and avoids unnecessary testing since nonconforming content that has a conforming alternate version is excluded from testing.
- Test 2: Auto-Playing and Auto-Updating Content
- Test 3: Flashing, and
- Test 4: Keyboard Access and Focus next, because failure to meet these Success Criteria could interfere with any use of the web page and may indicate critical accessibility issues.
How to Evaluate Section 508 Conformance Tests
Each of the Test Conditions included in each test section is a statement that can be evaluated as TRUE or FALSE. The “How to Test” content included under each Test Condition provides instructions on how to evaluate whether content PASSES the condition:
- If a Test Condition is TRUE for the content in question, then the content PASSES that Test Condition.
- If a Test Condition is FALSE for the content in question, then the content FAILS that Test Condition.
- A Test Condition DOES NOT APPLY (DNA) only if content does not exist that meets the conditions described in the “Identifying Content” instructions at the beginning of each test section.
- In very limited instances specifically described in the test process, a Test Condition is NOT TESTED. This applies if content exists that meets the Identifying Content criteria for a test, but a test cannot be performed due to limitations in available test tools.
This will be explained in more detail in the sections that follow. After each set of “How to Test” instructions, the test process provides instructions on how to evaluate the results of your tests to determine if the Test Condition PASSES or FAILS. This course walks you through the test steps and how to evaluate results after each test.