You've implemented accessibility improvements on your event website, but how do you know if they're actually working? As an event marketing professional, you don't need to become a technical expert to ensure your website is accessible - you just need the right tools and a systematic approach. 

Testing your website's accessibility is like proofreading your event materials before they go to print. It's a crucial quality check that ensures all potential attendees can access your content, register for sessions, and engage with your event information. The good news? You can conduct meaningful accessibility tests using straightforward tools that don't require coding knowledge. 

Why Marketing Teams Should Test Accessibility 

Before diving into the tools, it's worth understanding why this testing falls within your remit. When accessibility barriers prevent someone from registering for your conference or accessing speaker information, it's not just a technical problem - it's a marketing problem. You're potentially losing attendees, reducing engagement, and limiting your event's reach. 

Regular accessibility testing helps you catch issues before they impact real users. It's much easier (and less embarrassing) to fix a missing alt text description on a speaker photo before launch than to scramble when an attendee contacts you because they can't access vital event information. 

Your Essential Testing Tools 

1. AccessibilityChecker.org

What it does: An automated tool that scans your website and identifies common accessibility issues like missing alt text, poor colour contrast, and unlabelled form fields. 

Perfect for: Quick health checks, regular monitoring, and catching obvious issues before content goes live. 

How to use it: 

• Enter your event website URL 

• The tool will scan your pages and provide a detailed report 

• Look for issues marked as "errors" first—these are the most critical 

• Pay special attention to registration pages, speaker information, and key event details 

What to focus on in your results: 

• Missing alt text on speaker photos, venue images, or sponsor logos 

• Colour contrast issues particularly on buttons, links, and important announcements 

• Form problems especially on registration and contact forms 

• Heading structure issues that might confuse screen reader users 

The beauty of AccessibilityChecker.org is that it explains each issue in plain language and often suggests how to fix it. You don't need to understand the technical details - just follow the guidance provided. 

2. BrowserStack Live - Testing the Real User Experience 

What it does: This tool lets you test your website on different devices and browsers, including testing with assistive technologies like screen readers. 

Perfect for: Understanding how real users with disabilities will experience your event website. 

How to use it: 

• Access your event website through BrowserStack's testing environment 

• Try navigating your registration process using only keyboard navigation (no mouse) 

• Test key user journeys like finding speaker information or downloading event schedules 

• Check how your site works on different screen sizes and devices 

Key scenarios to test: 

• Registration process: Can someone complete event registration using only the Tab key and Enter button? 

• Speaker information: Can users easily navigate between different speaker profiles? 

• Event schedule: Is your programme information clearly structured and easy to follow? 

• Contact forms: Are error messages clear and helpful when required fields are missed? 

Additional Tools for Specific Testing

While AccessibilityChecker.org and BrowserStack Live should cover most of your testing requirements, these additional tools can help with specific scenarios: 

WAVE Web Accessibility Evaluator 

Best for: Visual feedback and page-specific analysis 

• Shows accessibility issues directly on your webpage with icons and highlights 

• Great for understanding exactly where problems occur on speaker pages or registration forms 

• Provides immediate visual feedback that's easy to screenshot and share with your team 

• Use when: You need to pinpoint exactly where accessibility issues appear on a specific page 

WebAIM Color Contrast Checker & Colour Contrast Analyser 

Best for: Quick design verification 

• Test your brand colours against accessibility standards before finalising designs 

• Perfect for checking if your call-to-action buttons have sufficient contrast 

• Essential when designing promotional graphics or updating your event branding 

• Use when: Creating new designs, updating brand elements, or when automated tools flag colour contrast issues 

NVDA Screen Reader (Free) 

Best for: Advanced user experience testing 

• Understand exactly how your event information sounds to users with visual impairments 

• Test how well your speaker bios, event descriptions, and registration instructions work with screen readers 

• Invaluable for testing complex content like event schedules or multi-step registration processes 

• Use when: You want to truly understand the user experience or when preparing for major event launches 

Getting started with NVDA: While more advanced, start by simply listening to key pages like your event homepage and registration form. You'll quickly understand what works well and what needs improvement. 

Creating Your Testing Routine 

Before Each Major Content Update 

Run a quick AccessibilityChecker.org scan focusing on: 

• New speaker profiles or content sections 

• Updated registration forms or processes 

• Fresh promotional content or graphics 

Use WAVE for visual verification of specific pages, and the colour contrast checkers when working with new brand elements or design updates. 

Monthly Comprehensive Checks 

Use your full toolkit for thorough reviews: 

• Scan your entire site with AccessibilityChecker.org 

• Use BrowserStack to test your complete attendee journey 

• Run WAVE on your most important pages for detailed visual feedback 

• Test key content with NVDA if you're comfortable using screen readers 

• Document any recurring issues for your development team 

Pre-Launch Testing 

Before major announcements or registration openings: 

• Test your critical user paths using keyboard-only navigation 

• Verify that all new images have appropriate alt text 

• Ensure form error messages are clear and helpful 

Understanding Your Results: What Marketing Teams Need to Know 

You don't need to fix every technical detail yourself, but you should understand what the results mean for your potential attendees: 

High Priority Issues (Fix Immediately): 

• Missing alt text on important images (speaker photos, venue layouts) 

• Registration forms that can't be completed without a mouse 

• Poor colour contrast on buttons or key information 

• Error messages that don't explain what went wrong 

Medium Priority Issues (Address Soon): 

• Heading structure problems that make content hard to navigate 

• Links that don't clearly describe their destination 

• Images that could benefit from more descriptive alt text 

Technical Issues (Pass to Your Development Team): 

• Complex HTML structure problems 

• Advanced keyboard navigation issues 

• Screen reader compatibility concerns 

If you have used any of the tools, we would also recommend that you send the you technical team the reports you have generated, as they are really useful to target specific areas and reduce time in finding and resolving issues.

Making Testing Part of Your Workflow 

• Run accessibility checks before publishing new speaker profiles or event updates 

• Include alt text writing as part of your image uploading process 

• Test any new forms or interactive elements before they go live 

• Include accessibility testing in your pre-launch checklists 

• Test registration flows during quiet periods to identify issues 

• Monitor accessibility during high-traffic periods like early bird registration openings 

• Ensure venue information, maps, and accessibility details are properly formatted 

• Test that attendees can easily find and access important event documents 

• Verify that emergency contact information is accessible to all users 

Beyond the Tools: Some Simple Manual Checks 

While automated tools catch many issues, some simple manual checks can reveal important problems: 

• The Tab Test: Use only the Tab key to navigate through your registration process. Can you reach every field and button? Is the order logical? 
   

• The Squint Test: Squint at your screen or step back from your monitor. Can you still read important information like registration deadlines or venue details? 
   

• The Phone Test: Check your event website on your smartphone. Are buttons large enough to tap easily? Is text readable without zooming? 

When to Get Professional Help 

Consider professional accessibility consultation if: 

• Automated tools consistently flag complex technical issues 

• You're getting accessibility-related complaints from potential attendees 

• Your organization faces specific compliance requirements 

• You're launching a major new registration platform or website redesign 

In Summary...

Accessibility testing isn't just about compliance—it's about professional event marketing that reaches everyone. When you make accessibility testing part of your regular workflow, you're ensuring that every potential attendee can engage with your event content, regardless of their abilities or the technology they use. 

Start with the two essential tools—AccessibilityChecker.org for automated scanning and BrowserStack Live for real user experience testing. As you become more comfortable, incorporate the additional tools for specific needs: WAVE for visual feedback, colour contrast checkers for design work, and NVDA for deeper user experience insights. 

The tools and processes outlined here don't require technical expertise, just a commitment to inclusive event marketing. Before long, accessibility testing will feel as natural as spell-checking your event descriptions or reviewing your speaker lineup. 

Ready to start testing? Begin with a simple scan of your current event website using AccessibilityChecker.org, then gradually incorporate the other tools as your confidence grows. Your future attendees will appreciate the inclusive experience you've created. 

Need some help? 

Get in touch if you need more help. We also have a dedicated accessibility hub which gives you even more info... 

Visit the Accessibility Hub