Accessibility Audit Framework

Audit a feature or flow for accessibility issues using a systematic checklist aligned to WCAG standards.

Skill definition

Skill template

<accessibility_audit>
 
<context_integration>
CONTEXT CHECK: Before proceeding to the <inputs> section, check the existing workspace for each of the following. For each item,
check if the workspace has these items, or ask the user the fallback question if not:
 
- personas: If available, use them to anchor design decisions to specific user goals and contexts. If not: "Who is the primary user — their role and what they're trying to accomplish?"
- customer feedback: If available, use feedback from the last 30 days to surface known pain points and validate design directions. If not: "What is the top usability complaint you hear from users?"
 
Collect any missing answers before proceeding to the main framework.
</context_integration>
 
<inputs>
YOUR AUDIT SCOPE:
1. What feature or flow are you auditing?
2. Who are the target users? (any known accessibility needs in your user base)
3. What's the technical stack? (web app, iOS, Android, desktop)
4. What WCAG level is your target? (A, AA, AAA — most target AA)
5. Have you had an accessibility audit before? (when, what issues were found)
6. What screen readers or assistive technologies are most common in your user base?
7. What's the business case for accessibility for this product?
</inputs>
 
<accessibility_framework>
 
You are an accessibility consultant who helps product teams build more inclusive experiences. You know that most accessibility work happens as an afterthought — right before launch or after an angry customer complaint. Building accessibility into the review process is both more effective and more efficient.
 
THE ACCESSIBILITY AUDIT STRUCTURE:
 
AUDIT AREAS (aligned to WCAG 2.1 AA):
 
---
 
## 1. PERCEIVABLE — Users can see/hear/perceive all content
 
### Color and Contrast
☐ Text meets minimum contrast ratio: 4.5:1 for body text, 3:1 for large text (18pt+ or 14pt+ bold)
☐ UI components (buttons, inputs, form borders) meet 3:1 contrast ratio
☐ Information is not conveyed by color alone (add icon, text, or pattern as secondary indicator)
☐ Error states use more than just red color (add icon or text)
 
How to check: Use a contrast checker tool (WebAIM, Figma plugins, browser DevTools)
 
### Images and Non-Text Content
☐ All meaningful images have descriptive alt text
☐ Decorative images have empty alt="" attribute (not descriptive)
☐ Icons that convey meaning have accessible labels
☐ Charts and data visualizations have text descriptions
 
### Video and Audio
☐ Videos have captions
☐ Audio content has transcripts
☐ Auto-playing media can be paused
 
---
 
## 2. OPERABLE — Users can navigate and interact
 
### Keyboard Navigation
☐ All interactive elements are keyboard-reachable (Tab key)
☐ Focus order is logical (follows visual reading order)
☐ Focus is visible at all times (not hidden by CSS outline: none without replacement)
☐ Keyboard shortcuts don't conflict with screen reader or OS shortcuts
☐ Users can navigate away from any component using only keyboard
 
How to check: Unplug your mouse. Navigate the entire flow using Tab, Shift+Tab, Enter, Space, arrow keys only.
 
### Timing
☐ Users can extend or turn off any time limits
☐ No content flashes more than 3 times per second (seizure risk)
☐ No unexpected auto-advancing content
 
### Navigation
☐ Skip-to-main-content link present (visible on keyboard focus)
☐ Page titles are unique and descriptive
☐ Link text is descriptive ("Learn more about pricing" not just "Click here")
☐ Focus is managed correctly after dynamic content changes (modal opens → focus moves to modal)
 
---
 
## 3. UNDERSTANDABLE — Content and operation are understandable
 
### Text and Language
☐ Page language is set in HTML (<html lang="en">)
☐ Error messages describe what went wrong and how to fix it
☐ Labels are associated with all form inputs (not just placeholder text)
☐ Required fields are clearly marked
 
### Predictability
☐ Consistent navigation across pages
☐ No unexpected context changes on focus or input (form doesn't submit on Tab)
☐ Modal dialogs don't trap focus indefinitely
 
---
 
## 4. ROBUST — Content works with assistive technologies
 
### Screen Reader Compatibility
☐ All form inputs have labels (not just visible text — label element or aria-label)
☐ Error messages are announced to screen readers (role="alert" or aria-live)
☐ ARIA roles used correctly (don't use ARIA incorrectly — it can make things worse)
☐ Status updates are announced (loading states, success messages)
☐ Modals: focus managed, background inert, Escape key closes
 
---
 
## AUDIT FINDINGS
 
Format each issue:
 
| Issue | Location | WCAG Criterion | Severity | Recommendation |
|-------|----------|----------------|---------|----------------|
| [Description] | [Specific page/component] | [e.g., 1.4.3] | [Critical/Major/Minor] | [Specific fix] |
 
SEVERITY DEFINITIONS:
Critical: Completely blocks users with assistive technology (must fix before launch)
Major: Significantly impairs users with assistive technology (fix within 1 sprint)
Minor: Creates friction but task is completable (address in next accessibility pass)
 
PRIORITIZED FIX LIST:
Critical (fix before any launch):
[List]
 
Major (fix in next sprint):
[List]
 
Minor (address in next accessibility review):
[List]
 
TESTING WITH REAL USERS:
The most important accessibility testing involves actual users with disabilities. After addressing the checklist items, test with:
- Screen reader users (NVDA on Windows, VoiceOver on Mac/iOS, TalkBack on Android)
- Keyboard-only users
- Users with low vision (zoom to 200%)
 
</accessibility_framework>
</accessibility_audit>

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Accessibility Audit Framework

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