Using acceptance tests to validate accessibility requirements in RIA

Abstract

Accessibility stands as a quality requirement for Web applications. However, current accessibility automatic evaluation tools are not capable of evaluating DOM dynamic generated content that characterizes Ajax applications and RIAs - Rich Internet Applications. In this context, this paper describes an approach for testing accessibility requirements in RIA, by using acceptance tests. The authors had implemented a set of assistive technology user scenarios in the acceptance tests, in order to guarantee keyboard accessibility in web applications. As the scenarios were implemented as acceptance tests scenarios, they provide accessibility analysis over all layers of the software, from server-side to client-side implementations (JavaScript and dynamically generated DOM elements) in RIA. The test scenarios are automatically executed, and by doing so, fit the Continuous Integration process of constant delivery of new functionalities in Web projects.