Office for Technology
Web Site Testing Brochure
Web Site Quality Assurance Testing
What Is It?
With NYS Technology Policy P04-002 and NYS Mandatory Technology Standard S04-001, issued June 21, 2004, State agencies are required to make their web sites accessible to individuals with disabilities using assistive technology. Web Site Quality Assurance Testing is a performance-based means of ensuring that your site complies with the policy and standards.
Why Would I Want a Quality Assurance Test?
Validation of agency web pages is required by NYS Technology Policy P04-002, and will catch many of the code-based problems that render a web site inaccessible. However, there are other problems related to web site usability that an automated program cannot assess. For example, an automated test only looks for an ALT attribute on an image; it cannot assess whether the ALT attribute's value will be meaningful to the site visitor. A Web Site Quality Assurance Test can provide that feedback, and can make sure that your site is usable by everyone.
When Would I Request a Test?
- Any time you are providing online services to the general public
- For services whose customers are likely to include users of assistive technology
- For online forms or applications that are available to the general public
- For static web sites available to the general public
- Site redesign
- Major site addition
Who Performs the Test?
The NYS Office for Technology has staff able to perform this testing. We also have access to some staff at the Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped (CBVH) Assistive Technology Centers, located around the state, that can provide this testing service for an hourly fee.
How Do I Request a Test?
Contact your OFT Customer Relations Manager to arrange a test. You should request a test prior to releasing the site to the public, although the site will need to be accessible to the tester. Plan on allowing two weeks for the test and for the preparation of results.
What Information Do I Need to Provide to the Tester?
The agency provides minimal basic information to the tester, such as the URL or any login required to access the site. It is advisable to provide a sighted assistant to the tester who is familiar with the site's content to note deficiencies. The agency may also provide several likely scenarios that the tester will attempt to gauge the overall usability of the site.
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