How to scan a web page using the Accessible Web Helper

Today’s blog post explores how to use the Accessible Web Helper, a Chrome extension that helps evaluate and improve web accessibility in real time.

Video Guide

What is Accessible Web Helper

Accessible Web Helper is a browser extension that lets you scan any webpage and receive immediate feedback on its accessibility. It works directly inside Chrome, so you can test pages as you browse or build them.

This extension is also a very handy color contrast checker!

You can connect the tool to an Accessible Web RAMP account to track and manage issues, or you can use it independently for quick checks without setup.

Scan a Webpage

To begin, open a webpage and launch the extension. Select the page scanner to run an analysis. The tool quickly generates a score that reflects how accessible the page is.

The tool highlights specific problems. In our companion video example, it identified links that lack discernible text. These links do not provide enough information for screen readers, so they need to be updated with meaningful labels.

WCAG Compliance Options

The tool allows you to select different rule sets for testing. WCAG 2.2 AA is a widely accepted standard for accessibility.

By aligning scans with WCAG guidelines, you ensure that your website meets recognized requirements and improves usability for a broad audience.

Visual Highlighting for Faster Fixes

Accessible Web Helper highlights problem areas directly on the page. This feature helps you locate and understand issues in context.

Instead of searching through code, you can:

Jump to the exact element causing the issue
See how it appears in the layout
Make targeted updates quickly

This approach reduces debugging time and supports faster iteration.

Managing Issues with RAMP

When connected to a RAMP account, the tool lets you turn detected issues into actionable tasks. This helps teams organize and track accessibility improvements.

You can:

Log issues directly from the scan
Assign tasks to team members
Monitor progress over time

This workflow supports ongoing accessibility efforts rather than one-time fixes.

Best Practices for Using the Tool

Use the extension consistently throughout development to catch issues early. Test multiple pages, especially those with dynamic or complex content.

Focus on high-impact fixes such as navigation clarity, readable text, and proper labeling. Combine automated scans with manual review to ensure thorough results.

Accessible Web Helper provides a simple and effective way to identify and address accessibility issues as you work, helping you build websites that more people can use.

Let me be your champion for inclusion. I offer tailored solutions (and self-paced courses!) to ensure your documents meet and exceed compliance expectations. For more detailed insights, tutorials, and in-depth discussions on accessibility and related topics, don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel: The Accessibility Guy on YouTube. Subscribe for regular updates!