Manual testing guide
Manual checks that automated testing cannot settle, organized by WCAG 2.2 success criteria (A/AA). Procedures follow the corresponding KWCAG 2.2 items.
The 33 KWCAG 2.2 checkpoints
Each checkpoint has its own page: how to test it, the matching WCAG success criteria, and what automation can decide.
Perceivable
- Checkpoint 1 Appropriate alternative text
- Checkpoint 2 Captions for multimedia
- Checkpoint 3 Table structure
- Checkpoint 4 Meaningful sequence
- Checkpoint 5 Clear instructions
- Checkpoint 6 Content not relying on color alone
- Checkpoint 7 No auto-play
- Checkpoint 8 Text contrast
- Checkpoint 9 Distinguishable content
Operable
- Checkpoint 10 Keyboard accessible
- Checkpoint 11 Focus order and visibility
- Checkpoint 12 Target size / operable controls
- Checkpoint 13 Character key shortcuts
- Checkpoint 14 Adjustable time limits
- Checkpoint 15 Pause, stop, hide
- Checkpoint 16 No flashing content
- Checkpoint 17 Skip repeated blocks
- Checkpoint 18 Page, frame, and content titles
- Checkpoint 19 Meaningful link text
- Checkpoint 20 Consistent reference locators (e-pub)
- Checkpoint 21 Single pointer gestures
- Checkpoint 22 Pointer cancellation
- Checkpoint 23 Label in name
- Checkpoint 24 Motion actuation
Understandable
Perceivable
1.1.1 Non-text Content
APartially automatedKWCAG mapping: Checkpoint 1 Appropriate alternative text
Automated checks verify alt text exists; a human must judge whether it conveys the image's meaning. Verify with a screen reader and check decorative images use empty alt.
1.2.1 Audio-only and Video-only (Prerecorded)
APartially automatedKWCAG mapping: Checkpoint 2 Captions for multimedia
Play each video/audio and confirm captions, transcript, or sign language are provided and synchronized.
1.2.2 Captions (Prerecorded)
APartially automatedKWCAG mapping: Checkpoint 2 Captions for multimedia
Play each video/audio and confirm captions, transcript, or sign language are provided and synchronized.
1.2.3 Audio Description or Media Alternative (Prerecorded)
APartially automatedKWCAG mapping: Checkpoint 2 Captions for multimedia
Play each video/audio and confirm captions, transcript, or sign language are provided and synchronized.
1.3.1 Info and Relationships
APartially automatedKWCAG mapping: Checkpoint 3 Table structure · Checkpoint 4 Meaningful sequence · Checkpoint 29 Labels for inputs
(Checkpoint 3) Verify captions and header cells exist (automated) and header associations read correctly in a screen reader.
(Checkpoint 4) Disable CSS or use a screen reader to verify the content order is logical.
(Checkpoint 29) Automated checks verify labels exist; confirm they describe the purpose and placeholders aren't used as labels.
1.3.2 Meaningful Sequence
APartially automatedKWCAG mapping: Checkpoint 4 Meaningful sequence
Disable CSS or use a screen reader to verify the content order is logical.
1.3.3 Sensory Characteristics
AFully manualKWCAG mapping: Checkpoint 5 Clear instructions
Check for instructions that rely only on shape, size, location, orientation, color, or sound.
1.4.1 Use of Color
APartially automatedKWCAG mapping: Checkpoint 6 Content not relying on color alone
View the page in grayscale and check whether any information is conveyed by color alone.
1.4.2 Audio Control
APartially automatedKWCAG mapping: Checkpoint 7 No auto-play
Check no audio plays automatically for more than 3 seconds, or a stop/mute control is provided first.
1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum)
AAPartially automatedKWCAG mapping: Checkpoint 8 Text contrast
Automated checks cover most cases; manually verify text over images/gradients and hover/focus states meet 4.5:1 (3:1 for large text).
Operable
2.1.1 Keyboard
APartially automatedKWCAG mapping: Checkpoint 10 Keyboard accessible
Operate every feature using only the keyboard; ensure no keyboard traps.
2.1.2 No Keyboard Trap
APartially automatedKWCAG mapping: Checkpoint 10 Keyboard accessible
Operate every feature using only the keyboard; ensure no keyboard traps.
2.1.4 Character Key Shortcuts
AFully manualKWCAG mapping: Checkpoint 13 Character key shortcuts
If single-character shortcuts exist, verify they can be turned off, remapped, or are active only on focus.
2.2.1 Timing Adjustable
APartially automatedKWCAG mapping: Checkpoint 14 Adjustable time limits
If time limits exist (session timeout, etc.), verify users are warned and can extend or disable them.
2.2.2 Pause, Stop, Hide
APartially automatedKWCAG mapping: Checkpoint 15 Pause, stop, hide
Verify auto-moving content (carousels, tickers) provides pause/stop/previous/next controls.
2.3.1 Three Flashes or Below Threshold
APartially automatedKWCAG mapping: Checkpoint 16 No flashing content
Check nothing flashes more than 3 times per second.
2.4.1 Bypass Blocks
APartially automatedKWCAG mapping: Checkpoint 17 Skip repeated blocks
Press Tab at page top and confirm a working skip link moves focus to main content.
2.4.2 Page Titled
APartially automatedKWCAG mapping: Checkpoint 18 Page, frame, and content titles
Verify page titles are descriptive and unique, frames are titled, and content sections have headings.
2.4.3 Focus Order
APartially automatedKWCAG mapping: Checkpoint 11 Focus order and visibility
Verify logical focus order, visible focus indicator, and that focused elements are not obscured.
2.4.4 Link Purpose (In Context)
APartially automatedKWCAG mapping: Checkpoint 19 Meaningful link text
Check link text (with context) identifies the destination — avoid bare 'click here' / 'more'.
2.4.7 Focus Visible
AAPartially automatedKWCAG mapping: Checkpoint 11 Focus order and visibility
Verify logical focus order, visible focus indicator, and that focused elements are not obscured.
2.4.11 Focus Not Obscured (Minimum)
AAPartially automatedKWCAG mapping: Checkpoint 11 Focus order and visibility
Verify logical focus order, visible focus indicator, and that focused elements are not obscured.
2.5.1 Pointer Gestures
AFully manualKWCAG mapping: Checkpoint 21 Single pointer gestures
Verify multipoint or path-based gestures have single-pointer alternatives.
2.5.2 Pointer Cancellation
AFully manualKWCAG mapping: Checkpoint 22 Pointer cancellation
Verify actions trigger on pointer-up and can be aborted by moving off the target.
2.5.3 Label in Name
APartially automatedKWCAG mapping: Checkpoint 23 Label in name
Verify the visible text of controls is contained in their accessible name.
2.5.4 Motion Actuation
AFully manualKWCAG mapping: Checkpoint 24 Motion actuation
Verify motion-triggered functions have UI alternatives and motion sensing can be disabled.
2.5.8 Target Size (Minimum)
AAPartially automatedKWCAG mapping: Checkpoint 12 Target size / operable controls
Verify interactive targets are at least 24×24 CSS px or adequately spaced.
Understandable
3.2.1 On Focus
AFully manualKWCAG mapping: Checkpoint 26 No change of context without request
Verify focus or input alone never triggers unexpected context changes; new windows are announced in advance.
3.2.2 On Input
AFully manualKWCAG mapping: Checkpoint 26 No change of context without request
Verify focus or input alone never triggers unexpected context changes; new windows are announced in advance.
3.2.6 Consistent Help
AFully manualKWCAG mapping: Checkpoint 27 Consistent help
Verify help mechanisms appear in the same relative location across pages.
3.3.1 Error Identification
AFully manualKWCAG mapping: Checkpoint 28 Error identification & correction
Submit invalid forms and verify errors are identified in text with correction suggestions.
3.3.2 Labels or Instructions
APartially automatedKWCAG mapping: Checkpoint 29 Labels for inputs
Automated checks verify labels exist; confirm they describe the purpose and placeholders aren't used as labels.
3.3.3 Error Suggestion
AAFully manualKWCAG mapping: Checkpoint 28 Error identification & correction
Submit invalid forms and verify errors are identified in text with correction suggestions.
3.3.7 Redundant Entry
AFully manualKWCAG mapping: Checkpoint 31 Redundant entry
In multi-step processes, verify previously entered information is auto-populated or selectable.
3.3.8 Accessible Authentication (Minimum)
AAFully manualKWCAG mapping: Checkpoint 30 Accessible authentication
Verify authentication doesn't rely solely on cognitive tests; paste and autofill must not be blocked.
Robust
4.1.2 Name, Role, Value
APartially automatedKWCAG mapping: Checkpoint 33 Accessible web applications (ARIA)
Automated checks catch ARIA misuse; verify custom widgets announce role/state and follow APG keyboard patterns.
4.1.3 Status Messages
AAPartially automatedKWCAG mapping: Checkpoint 33 Accessible web applications (ARIA)
Automated checks catch ARIA misuse; verify custom widgets announce role/state and follow APG keyboard patterns.
KWCAG-specific items (no WCAG mapping)
Checkpoint 9 Distinguishable content
Verify adjacent content blocks are visually distinguishable by borders, spacing, or background differences.
Checkpoint 20 Consistent reference locators (e-pub)
Applies to web-based e-publications: verify fixed page locators exist. Often N/A for ordinary web pages.