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Blind as a Bat

Mission:
On of the often neglected parts of testing is accessibility testing. It is usually not done if it is not mandated or a explicit requirement. This is not because testers and IT people are mean but because it is one of THE most challenging test areas that can be had. Most people lack even the most minimal empathy for the problem. In order to start changing that and creating awareness we've had this session.

The mission is actually trivial. Go to Google and search for "weekend testing". Then click on the link to go to weekendtesting.com

But easier said than done. This is a three part exercise:

  1. Install a screen reader or use the built in one on your OS. (eyes open for this)
    1. Screen Reader Jaws (PC): http://www.freedomscientific.com/products/fs/jaws-product-page.asp
    2. https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/14206/
    3. Mac OS X VoiceOver? (part of the OS)
    4. ORCA on Linux
    5. Narrator Windows Vista/Windows 7
  2. Start the browser (eyes closed)
  3. Execute the exercise (eyes closed except for text entry. That means look at keyboard only)


The aim is to find defects but rather also find the issues or tricky bits of blind navigation. This know-how helps in looking for design flaws in websites or even process flaws.

Variations:
Log in to the weekend testing site.

References:

Challenges

Are you a good notetaker?
A step into a Brave New World
A test for India
A Tour through Europe
A Wiki in your Pocket
Battle of the Url Shorteners
Beam Me Up
Blind as a Bat
Brainstorm Testing Ideas
Bring Planetarium Home
Brokerage
Bug Hunters
Bugs under the Magnifying Glass
Charter my Brain
Cheat Sheet for Support Team
Coherent Ideas
Combination Lock
Conferences are for Conferring
Counting Strings
Credit Card TuneUp
Domo Arigato Mr. Roboto
Escape!
Free your Mind
Free your Text2MindMap
Generate test ideas
Give your Brain a Workout
Home Sweet Home
How Easy is it to get Data
How to Think about Science
I can see Clearly Now
Jetpack Testing Challenge
Learning by Playing - Raindrops
Learning by Playing - Word Bubbles
Learn the product quickly
Let's Dance
Let's Date
Mapping the Maps
Mapping the Test Tool
Modeling Bugs and Patterns
Observation Skill
On Collaboration
On the first software testing team
Pilae Iacta Est
Please Park my Bug
Pop! goes the weasel
Put it on the Board
Rapid Anagrams
Reverse
Scenario Maps
Secure the Area
Shareware
Show me the Money
So how much are you Worth
Social Signals
Splash Up
Talk to Me
Test Automation with Watir
Testing the Future
That's Just Funtestic
The Cheesiest Testing Ever
The Friday Challenge
The Imperial Strikes Back
The Impossible Mission
The Magnificient Testers ride again
The Rocket
The Usability Challenge
To Err is Human
Triage
Visually Thinking Software through with Models
Weinberg-Myers Triangle Problem
When A Bug Isn't Fixed
Working Under Pressure
Writing a failing Test with Watir
Zoom Me In