Usability Testing

Just as it is important to test the general usability of your software, it is a good idea to test how well it provides for accessibility. There are a variety of ways of doing this. One way is to include users with disabilities in your prerelease or usability test activities. In addition, you can establish a working relationship with companies that provide accessibility aids. Information about accessibility vendors or potential test sites is included in the Bibliography.

You can also try running your software in a fashion similar to that used by a person with disabilities. Try some of the following ideas for testing:

• Use the Windows Accessibility Options and set your display to a high contrast scheme, such as white text on a black background. Are there any portions of your software that become invisible or hard to use or recognize?
• Try using your software for a week without using a mouse. Are there operations that you cannot perform? Was anything especially awkward?
• Increase the size of the default system fonts. Does your software still look good? Does your software fonts appropriately adjust to match the new system font?