Accessibility user testing and assistive technology testing Sydney

We offer usability testing and assistive technology testing with people with lived experience of disability, helping clients understand how real users interact with their digital platforms, and where usability gaps may still exist.

Quick answer

What is accessibility user testing?

Accessibility user testing is qualitative usability research conducted with people with lived experience of disability, using their own assistive technologies. It goes beyond conformance testing to surface real-world usability issues - how a screen reader user actually completes a form, how a keyboard-only user navigates a checkout - that automated tools and even expert manual review can miss.

Real users, real insights

Automated testing and expert reviews are essential, but nothing replaces observing real users with disabilities interacting with your digital products. Our user testing services reveal barriers that technical audits alone cannot find.

By involving people who use assistive technologies in their daily lives, we help you understand the true user experience and identify practical improvements that make a real difference.

Testing Services

  • Assistive Technology Testing

    Evaluation by users of screen readers (JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver), screen magnification, voice control, switch access, and other assistive technologies.

  • Usability Testing

    Task-based testing with participants with various disabilities to identify usability barriers beyond technical compliance.

  • Cognitive Accessibility Testing

    Evaluation by users with cognitive disabilities, learning differences, and neurodiverse participants.

  • Mobile Accessibility Testing

    Testing on iOS and Android devices with users of mobile assistive technologies and accessibility features.

Participant Panel

Our testing panel includes people with a wide range of disabilities and assistive technology expertise:

Vision

  • Screen reader users (blind)
  • Screen magnification users
  • Low vision (various conditions)
  • Colour blindness

Motor

  • Keyboard-only users
  • Voice control users
  • Switch access users
  • Alternative input devices

Hearing

  • Deaf users
  • Hard of hearing
  • Hearing aid users
  • Caption dependent

Cognitive

  • Learning disabilities
  • ADHD
  • Autism spectrum
  • Memory difficulties

Our Testing Process

  1. Planning and Recruitment

    We work with you to define testing objectives, identify critical user journeys, and recruit appropriate participants.

  2. Test Session Design

    Creating task scenarios and discussion guides that reveal accessibility barriers and usability issues.

  3. Facilitated Testing

    Moderated sessions (remote or in-person) with participants using their own assistive technologies.

  4. Analysis and Reporting

    Detailed findings report with video clips, severity ratings, and practical recommendations.

  5. Stakeholder Presentation

    Walkthrough of findings with your team, including highlight reels that bring user experiences to life.

Why User Testing Matters

Beyond Compliance

Discover usability issues that meet technical requirements but still frustrate users.

Real-World Context

See how people actually use assistive technologies with your product, not just how they should.

Prioritise Effectively

Understand which issues have the greatest impact on real user success.

Build Empathy

Video clips and quotes help teams understand and care about accessibility.

Validate Fixes

Confirm that remediation efforts actually improve the user experience.

Reduce Risk

Identify barriers before launch rather than after complaints or legal action.

Deliverables

  • Detailed testing report with findings organised by severity and user group
  • Video clips of key findings (with participant consent)
  • Participant quotes and observations
  • Practical recommendations for each issue
  • Executive summary for stakeholders
  • Optional highlight reel for team awareness sessions

Common questions about accessibility user testing

Plain answers to the questions buyers ask us most often.

How does user testing differ from a WCAG audit?

A WCAG audit measures conformance against the standard. User testing measures whether real users can actually complete tasks. A product can be WCAG-conformant on paper yet still be hard to use with a screen reader or keyboard. Pairing the two - audit plus user testing - gives a complete picture of compliance and usability.

Who participates in ExceedAbility user testing sessions?

We recruit participants with a range of lived experience of disability - including blind and low-vision users, deaf and hard-of-hearing users, users with motor impairments, users with cognitive and learning differences, and users of assistive technologies (screen readers, magnifiers, switch input, voice control, captioning).

How long does an accessibility user testing engagement take?

A focused user testing engagement typically takes 3-6 weeks from kick-off to final report - including recruitment, pilot session, 5-8 main sessions, analysis and reporting. Larger or repeat-testing engagements (for example, before and after remediation) are scoped accordingly.

Can user testing be combined with a WCAG audit or remediation work?

Yes - and it commonly is. We frequently bundle WCAG audits with user testing for a complete view, and run user testing again after remediation to validate that fixes actually improve real-world experience. Government clients increasingly require both for substantive compliance reporting.

How are participants compensated?

Participants are paid for their time at fair-market research rates and reimbursed for any costs of participation. We follow ethical research practice - informed consent, confidentiality, opt-out at any time - and treat lived experience as the expertise it is.

Get real user feedback

Discover how people with disabilities actually experience your digital products.

Book a Discovery Call Contact Us Today