Improving Web Accessibility with Axe Monitor: What You Need to Know
A Bits & Bytes Forum
Lets explore Axe Monitor, a powerful tool designed to help web teams evaluate and improve accessibility across their sites. Whether you're just getting started or already diving deep into your scans, here's a quick overview of what Axe Monitor offers and how to make the most of it.
What Is Axe Monitor?
Axe Monitor is a web accessibility evaluation tool that scans your site and checks it against key standards, including:
- WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) from the W3C
- Section 508 compliance
- EN 301 549 standards
- DHS Trusted Tester v5
It helps identify whether your content passes or fails accessibility checks, making it easier to prioritize fixes and improve user experience for everyone.
Using Axe Monitor Effectively
Once you've run a scan, interpreting the data is key. Here are some best practices:
- Review your dashboard (check out the July Webmaster Forum for a refresher).
- Remove outdated documents to reduce clutter and false positives.
- Use tools in tandem—combine the information from your Axe Monitor scan with WAVE and Axe DevTools to get a fuller picture and fix issues faster.
Common Accessibility Issues
There are many accessibility issues that can bog down a site. Some of these issues include:
- Improper link text
- Missing PDF elements
- Color contrast issues
- Table markup problems
These issues can significantly impact usability for screen readers and other assistive technologies. Axe Monitor, WAVE, and Axe DevTools help you locate these problems and provide guidance on how to fix them.
Finding & Fixing Issues
Axe Monitor, WAVE, and Axe DevTools make it easy to pinpoint issues on a page. Whether you're dealing with broken links, inaccessible PDFs, or poorly structured data tables, these tools offer actionable insights to guide your fixes.
Final Thoughts
You're now equipped to use Axe Monitor to improve your site's accessibility. Whether the process is quick or requires more time, remember: you’re not alone. Reach out with questions, collaborate with your team, and keep accessibility at the forefront of your web strategy.