Web accessibility is no longer optional – it’s a responsibility. Whether you’re running an e-commerce site, a SaaS product, or a public-facing platform, accessibility compliance ensures that every user, regardless of ability, can interact with your digital experience.
But ensuring compliance at scale can be tricky. Manual audits take time, and accessibility bugs often slip through the cracks. That’s where automation testing with Cypress comes in.
In this guide, we’ll explore how businesses can use Cypress as an automation tool to simplify and scale accessibility testing – without draining their development resources.
Also read how to boost your Cypress testing.
Why Accessibility Compliance Matters
Accessible websites aren’t just the right thing to build—they’re legally and commercially essential.
Legal Risk and Global Standards
Across the globe, regulations like ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), WCAG 2.1, and EN 301 549 set the benchmark for web accessibility. In the U.S. alone, thousands of lawsuits have been filed against businesses for non-compliance.
Case in point: In 2019, Domino’s Pizza lost a legal battle when a visually impaired user couldn’t access its ordering interface using screen readers. The court ruled that the site violated ADA standards.
That’s not a one-off story. Brands of all sizes are now held accountable for digital accessibility.
Business Value Beyond Compliance
Accessibility isn’t just about avoiding lawsuits. It’s also about:
- Expanding your user base (15%+ of the global population lives with a disability)
- Improving SEO (accessible sites rank better)
- Boosting user retention and brand reputation
For business owners, investing in accessibility equals investing in inclusive growth.
The Role of Automation in Accessibility Testing
Manual testing is still important, especially for complex user interactions. But it’s not scalable across dozens of pages and weekly code releases.
That’s where automation comes in.
Manual vs Automated Accessibility Testing
| Factor | Manual Testing | Automated Testing |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | Limited | Broad |
| Speed | Slow | Fast |
| Cost | High | Lower over time |
| Detection | Visual & contextual | Rule-based |
| Skill required | Accessibility expert | Dev/Test Engineer |
By using tools like Cypress, teams can integrate accessibility checks directly into their test suite—saving time and catching issues early in the dev cycle.
Why Cypress for Accessibility Testing?
Cypress is widely known as a modern JavaScript-based automation testing tool. But with the right plugins, it also becomes a powerful solution for cypress accessibility testing.
Benefits of Using Cypress
- Live browser execution for real-time debugging
- Easy syntax with built-in retry logic
- Support for plugins like axe-core and cypress-axe
- Custom command extensions for reusable accessibility tests
- Tight CI/CD integrations with tools like GitHub Actions, CircleCI, Jenkins
Cypress vs Selenium vs Playwright for Accessibility
| Feature | Cypress | Selenium | Playwright |
|---|---|---|---|
| Setup Simplicity | Easy | Verbose | Moderate |
| Real-time Debugging | Built-in | Requires setup | Good |
| Native Accessibility Plugin Support | cypress-axe | axe-core | accessibility tree |
| Community Support | High | High | Growing |
While Selenium is still widely used, Cypress is often the preferred tool for teams that want faster, modern, and developer-friendly testing—especially when integrating accessibility testing into everyday workflows.
Setting Up Cypress for Accessibility Testing
Let’s get your project ready for automated accessibility testing using Cypress and axe-core.
Step 1: Install Cypress and Accessibility Plugin
npm install –save-dev cypress cypress-axe
This sets up Cypress and integrates axe-core, the leading accessibility engine.
Step 2: Add the Plugin in Support Files
In cypress/support/commands.js or .ts, import and register the plugin:
import 'cypress-axe';
Cypress.Commands.add('checkA11yCompliance', () => {
cy.injectAxe();
cy.checkA11y();
});
Step 3: Write a Simple Accessibility Test
describe('Accessibility check for homepage', () => {
it('Runs axe-core checks', () => {
cy.visit('/');
cy.checkA11yCompliance();
});
});
And that’s it. You now have an automated Cypress accessibility test running on your app.
Interpreting Results and Debugging Issues
When checkA11y() runs, the Cypress console will log:
- The number of violations
- Element selectors affected
- The impact level (minor, moderate, critical)
- Fix suggestions based on WCAG rules
This visibility helps your team move fast—fixing issues before they hit production.
Best Practices for Cypress Accessibility Testing
Test Core User Flows
Start by testing pages that generate traffic and revenue: homepages, login forms, checkout flows, dashboards.
Add Accessibility to Your CI/CD Pipeline
Integrate Cypress into your pipeline using GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, or Jenkins. This ensures that every pull request is checked for compliance automatically.
Report Accessibility Violations Automatically
Use Cypress plugins or custom scripts to generate JSON/HTML reports and share them with dev teams or QA leads.
Educate Your Teams
Tools can help, but awareness is key. Train your developers, designers, and testers to understand accessibility standards and build with empathy.
Cypress Accessibility Plugins and Ecosystem
Beyond cypress-axe, here are some other tools that enhance your accessibility testing:
- pa11y: Command-line tool for quick accessibility scans
- lighthouse-ci: Use for performance + accessibility audits
- a11y dashboards: Combine results from Cypress into a visual dashboard for your team
These integrations help build a mature, proactive testing workflow.
Business Value: How Accessibility Testing Boosts ROI
Let’s talk business impact—because for most founders and execs, that’s what matters.
Lower Legal Risk
Preventing just one lawsuit can save your company thousands in legal fees and reputational damage.
Improved SEO and Reach
Search engines favor accessible websites. Image alt tags, semantic HTML, and proper heading structures also enhance search visibility.
Brand Perception
Accessible businesses are inclusive businesses. That’s a competitive edge – especially in sectors like healthcare, education, or finance.
Faster Releases, Better Products
With automation, your QA cycles get shorter. You can deploy confidently, knowing your app meets accessibility standards without slowing down your team.
How Automation Testing Companies Use Cypress for Accessibility
Leading automation testing companies now offer Cypress automation services as part of their accessibility solutions.
Here’s how they do it:
- Build modular, reusable test cases for repeated use
- Provide accessibility dashboards for compliance reporting
- Offer continuous monitoring of accessibility across releases
- Deliver consulting + training for in-house development teams
If you’re a business owner considering outsourcing accessibility checks, Cypress is a safe, future-proof choice.
Final Thoughts: Accessibility Is Everyone’s Job
Using Cypress testing for accessibility helps businesses go from reactive to proactive. You no longer have to choose between fast releases and inclusive design – you can have both.
And with the right implementation, Cypress automation tools help your teams catch issues early, fix them fast, and deliver a better experience for every user.
Ready to Get Started?
If you’re looking to scale accessibility without breaking your budget, partnering with the right experts can help.
Explore how automation testing companies use Cypress to power fast, efficient, and inclusive digital products – and see how Cypress automation services can give your business a real competitive edge.
AutomationQA
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