Driving digital inclusion through accessibility testing

The good news? Accessibility testing ensures that digital platforms work for everyone. It’s more than compliance - it’s about building inclusive experiences while driving business success.

At Cegeka, we believe that our customers can positively influence the world, and we are here to help them unlock that power. As part of this commitment, we focus on embedding sustainability into the heart of our strategy, operations, and solutions. Accessibility testing driving digital inclusion is a crucial part of this approach.

Today, we’re excited to welcome Ananda Jothi Balakrishan, Director of Software Testing at Cegeka. She leads a specialized team across Chennai and Coimbatore (India), focusing on a variety of testing methodologies, with accessibility testing as a core expertise.

Join us as we explore the impact of accessibility testing and how Ananda’s team has helped organizations go beyond compliance - enhancing the digital experience for both employees and customers alike.

Thank you for joining us, Ananda! To start, can you explain what accessibility testing is and why it matters?

Ananda: Thank you for having me! I’m excited to dive into this important topic with you.

Accessibility testing is fundamentally human-centric—both in design and purpose. While meeting accessibility laws is essential, true impact comes from going beyond compliance to create digital platforms that genuinely improve people’s lives. By prioritizing accessibility, businesses can innovate, reach a broader audience, and build stronger communities.

The benefits of accessibility testing are far-reaching:

1. Expanding access: accessibility ensures that people with disabilities - whether visual, cognitive, or motor impairments - can fully engage with digital platforms. At the same time, it improves usability for all users, making platforms more intuitive and user-friendly.
2. Reducing legal risks: businesses that prioritize accessibility can avoid lawsuits and fines related to non-compliance with accessibility regulations.
3. Building customer loyalty: demonstrating a commitment to inclusivity strengthens customer relationships, fostering trust and long-term engagement.

By prioritizing accessibility, businesses can innovate, reach a broader audience, and build stronger communities.

At Cegeka, our team is committed to designing digital experiences that are not only accessible but also sustainable and user-centric. By embedding accessibility into every stage of development, we ensure that technology serves everyone.

While the real impact of accessibility testing goes beyond compliance, what are some of the main accessibility laws that companies should be aware of?

Ananda: For companies seeking to make their digital platforms more inclusive, it’s essential to understand the key accessibility laws that guide these efforts. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a U.S. law requiring businesses to ensure their websites and apps are accessible to people with disabilities, while Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires U.S. federal agencies and certain contractors to ensure digital content is accessible. Similarly, the European Accessibility Act (EAA) works across the EU to improve accessibility and will become national law in all member states in June 2025.

These laws align with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), a set of standards and best practices designed to make digital content accessible to people with disabilities. The WCAG address three accessibility levels: Level A (Basic) covers essentials, like text alternatives for images and video captions; Level AA (Enhanced) adds features like resizable text; and Level AAA (Full Accessibility) includes sign language for videos and noise-free audio for all media.

We all know that collaboration with the customer is important in reaching optimal results. What are the concrete steps your team takes to drive accessibility?

Ananda: Our accessibility testing services are designed with the customer’s needs in mind, focusing on what matters most to them.

We start by reviewing the digital assets- like websites or apps- and identifying which parts need to be tested. After selecting a sample set of digital assets, we perform both manual and automated testing, using tools that help us spot potential barriers to accessibility.

Once we’ve identified any issues, we provide clear recommendations with practical solutions to improve accessibility and usability. We also suggest applying these fixes across similar templates or platform sections for consistency.

Our team works closely with the customer’s team, offering hands-on support to make necessary changes. This ensures that designers and developers are fully aware of what needs to be adjusted. Our teams carries out the entire process, from initial assessment and audit to remediation and post-remediation audit, ensuring that the applications enhance accessibility and are user friendly.

As applications and websites evolve, we also offer ongoing monitoring to customers. This way, we help the system remain compliant and continue to provide a positive experience.

Our accessibility testing services are designed with the customer’s needs in mind, focusing on what matters most to them.

What are some successful client stories you can share with us, Ananda?

Ananda: We’ve seen firsthand how prioritizing accessibility can transform digital platforms. We provide our services to clients from the U.S., all of whom have seen positive results after embracing accessibility testing.

For example, by using our solutions, a global digital platform improved its website to meet WCAG 2.0 AA standards, increasing their accessibility score from 74% to over 90%. While we cannot disclose this client’s name due to our NDA, the improvements made their platform easier to navigate, increased user satisfaction, and helped avoid potential legal risks.

Another successful project was with a pizza delivery service. By auditing their ordering system for ADA compliance, we helped enhance their user experience, making the service accessible to all customers while reducing legal risks.

Looking ahead, what are Cegeka’s plans for driving accessibility forward?

Ananda: Our team is motivated by the fact that all digital applications can be made accessible to a wider audience. As I mentioned, to us, accessibility is a priority that goes beyond compliance. With this in mind, we will drive innovation forward by ensuring every user has an equal opportunity to engage with technology.

While we currently offer our accessibility testing solutions to clients from the U.S., we are open to the idea of expanding our services to other countries or continents. No matter the location, Cegeka will continue partnering with businesses to enhance user journeys, ensure compliance and drive better business outcomes, all while reinforcing a culture of belonging.