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Axe DevTools

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Axe DevTools

Overview

Axe DevTools is an accessibility testing tool that helps faculty, developers, testers, and content creators identify and fix accessibility issues on websites and web applications, making digital content more usable for people with disabilities. Axe dev tool is available in two versions: a free browser extension and a licensed Pro version.

The Axe DevTools browser extension is free and is an excellent starting point for performing quick, automated accessibility checks directly within the browser. It is available for Chrome and Microsoft Edge (with limited support in Firefox) and uses the axe-core rules engine to scan web pages for common accessibility issues. The extension provides clear, actionable guidance to help users resolve problems and improve compliance with WCAG and ARIA standards.

Axe DevTools Pro requires a license. It offers more advanced features such as deeper testing, detailed reporting, and workflow support for teams. This makes it especially valuable for organizations that need stronger issue tracking, documentation, reporting and support for meeting accessibility requirements.

Both versions are effective tools for improving accessibility and creating more inclusive, user-friendly digital experiences.

 

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Key Features of Axe DevTools

  • Scan options (full or partial): Allows users to choose whether to scan the entire page or specific sections, depending on their testing needs.

  • Number of issues found on the page: Displays the total count of accessibility issues detected during the scan.

  • Severity of the issue: Categorizes each issue by impact level (e.g., critical, serious, moderate, minor) to help prioritize fixes.

  • Short description of the issues: Provides a clear, concise explanation of each issue.

  • Highlight the element on the page: Visually outlines the affected element directly on the webpage for easy identification.

  • Inspect the element: Opens the browser’s developer tools, letting you examine the underlying code of the problematic element.

  • How to fix the issues: Offers practical guidance and code examples to help resolve each issue.

  • More detailed information about the issue and WCAG rule violation: Links to in-depth documentation, including the relevant WCAG criteria and best practices for remediation.

Advanced Features of Axe DevTools Pro

  • Intelligent Guided Testing (Powered by AI): Helps users  to take accessibility testing beyond what automated testing is capable of covering without relying on an accessibility expert’s manual assessment. A series of simple questions will be asked about the application being tested and complex accessibility checks will be performed. For example: meaningfulness of alt text, correct heading structure, keyboard focus order, form instructions.

  • Accessibility Issue Management (Save, Track, and Organize): Allows users to save scan results, manage findings, and keep records of issues across pages or testing sessions.

  • Advanced Reporting and Export Options: Generates detailed reports in CSV, JSON and JUNIT format containing information pertaining to each accessibility violation found from both automatic testing as well as Intelligent Guided Testing.This report can be exported and shared with teams for documentation, compliance, and audit purposes.

  • User Flow Analysis: Allows Scanning multi-state/multi-flow for multiple pages. Supports testing beyond a single page by grouping pages into projects for more organized and scalable accessibility evaluation. 

  • Better Support for Team Workflows: Makes it easier for accessibility testers and developers to collaborate by sharing results and tracking fixes across teams.

  • Integration Support for Development Pipelines: Pro offers stronger support for integrating accessibility testing into development workflows. This is helpful for ongoing testing during development and before release.

  • Allows instructors to quickly scan individual pages in their course websites or online learning content to identify accessibility barriers that might affect students with disabilities.

  • Identify violations of WCAG 2.1 standards and receive guidance on fixing them.

  • Focus scans on specific page elements or sections during testing.

  • Learn from inline issue explanations and developer-friendly remediation tips.

  • Students creating web-based portfolios or digital projects can use the extension to test accessibility.

  • Helps students understand the importance of accessible design in their coursework and future professions.

  • The Axe DevTools browser extension is not optimal for comprehensive accessibility evaluations or large-scale testing. It is limited to single-page, automated scans and does not support saving results, tracking issues over time, or testing multi-step user journeys. It also cannot detect many accessibility issues that require human judgment, such as meaningful alternative text, intuitive link text, logical reading order, or overall usability with assistive technologies like keyboard navigation.

  • Axe DevTools Pro, while more advanced, is not optimal as a complete replacement for manual accessibility testing. It cannot fully evaluate real user experience, cognitive accessibility, or complex design decisions, and it does not replace hands-on testing with screen readers or keyboard-only navigation. Additionally, Axe DevTools Pro is limited to web content and should not be used as the sole method for claiming accessibility compliance.

  • Testing mobile apps or native software (axe DevTools is browser-based only).

  • Users who do not have a basic understanding of HTML or have not received training in digital accessibility may find the tool difficult to use. Although the extension provides detailed explanations of what specific rule violations mean, without this background, users may still find the feedback difficult to understand. The tool does give an accessibility score, which may still provide useful information even for non-technical users.

  • Content using an iframe may not be consistently scanned.

  • Some features, such as guided testing and report export, are only available in the Pro version.

  • The Firefox version has reduced functionality.

  • Use during the development of new Canvas templates, student-facing pages, or departmental sites.

  • Incorporate into student assignments focused on accessible web design.

  • Pair automated testing with manual review using screen readers and keyboard navigation.

  • Although the interface for the tool itself is designed to be usable by people with disabilities, the nature of some disabilities will prevent some users with disabilities from evaluating the issues it flags. For instance, blind users will not be able to determine whether the alternative text provided for images is accurate.

  • The tool does not replace the need for human judgment in assessing whether some issues it flags are truly barriers, but it can evaluate the accessibility of some things automatically. To determine with confidence whether a web page is accessible still requires manual testing and sometimes testing with assistive technologies.

Students have access to the same functionality as instructors.

Axe DevTools

Cost: Free 

A limited number of axe Monitor Pro licenses are available on request for those who have mastered the free version. Email tlos@vt.edu to request a pro license.

Status: Available

How to Access

Browser Extensions

Axe DevTools Pro License

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