An accessibility review is not a badge awarded by running one scanner. Define which pages and user journeys you are reviewing, then test them with more than one method. A first pass can find barriers quickly, while a formal evaluation needs a stated standard, scope, and documented evidence.
Choose representative pages
Include the homepage, a content page, navigation, and any form or interactive process. Note the browser, viewport, and assistive technology used. If templates repeat, test each distinct pattern rather than only one attractive page. W3C's evaluation report template calls for a clear scope and method so readers know what the findings cover.
Perform the quick checks
Read the page title and headings in order. Check whether informative images have meaningful text alternatives. Zoom and inspect contrast. Use the keyboard to move through links, menus, and controls; confirm that focus is visible and that you can escape interactions. Submit forms with missing data and read the resulting instructions. W3C's Easy Checks describe these as a preliminary review, not as proof that every accessibility requirement is met.
Record a reproducible finding
For each problem, note the URL, the element, the steps to reproduce it, the expected behavior, and the observed behavior. Rank issues by whether they block a task, not by how easy they are to fix. For example, a form label that leaves a required field unidentified can block a visitor from completing the page's main purpose. Keep screenshots or test notes private if they contain submitted information.
Fix, retest, and state limits
Make the change, repeat the same test, and verify it in the live release. Include unresolved issues and limitations in the review record. A scan, a keyboard pass, and a small sample complement one another; none alone establishes full conformance. Plan a broader evaluation when the site has complex flows or a formal standard must be demonstrated.
Sources
- Easy Checks - A First Review of Web Accessibility — W3C Web Accessibility Initiative
- Template for Accessibility Evaluation Reports — W3C Web Accessibility Initiative