Tools for Testing Information and Communications Technology

Web designers, developers, and content managers play a key role in ensuring websites and digital services are accessible, and conform to the Section 508 Standards.

Testing Tools

The tools used in the Trusted Tester Test Process (and [ICT Testing Baseline][4] tests) have been chosen based on several factors including ease of use, ease of teaching, and accuracy of results. They are also free to install and use.

ANDI (Accessible Name & Description Inspector), developed by the Social Security Administration, is a free open-source bookmarklet. This means the tool does not require installation as a plugin and can be added to multiple browsers as a bookmark.
Install ANDI
Browser-based developer tools are built-in utilities in modern web browsers that help developers build, debug, and optimize web applications. You can open these tools directly in the browser, usually by right-clicking on a webpage and selecting "Inspect" or through the browser's menu, such as "More tools" > "Developer tools". Following are links to information for commonly used browsers: Chrome , Edge, Firefox, and Safari.
Color Contrast Analyzer (CCA) is a free open-source tool that displays the contrast ratio for two selected colors. It is especially useful when contrast cannot be programmatically identified by ANDI.
Download CCA for Windows or macOS
WebAIM Contrast Checker is a free, web-based tool that displays the contrast ratio for two selected colors. It is useful when contrast cannot be programmatically identified by ANDI.
Use the WebAIM Contrast Checker

Training Videos

Accessible Name & Description Inspector (ANDI) Tool Overview

Accessible Name & Description Inspector (ANDI) Color Contrast

In Module 13 of the Accessible Name & Description Inspector (ANDI) Tool video series, learn how to use the Color Contrast module to programmatically determined whether text in a webpage has enough contrast with its background to be readable by people with moderately low vision—especially those who do not typically use contrast-enhancing assistive technology.

Duration 2m 9s | Module 13 of an 18-Part Video Series

How to Test Color Contrast using the Color Contrast Analyser

How to Use the Color Contrast Analyzer (CCA)

In this video, we’ll show you how to use the Colour Contrast Analyser (CCA) and the programmatic color values—or HEX codes—to check contrast between text, images of text, and background colors in digital content and documents. This tool is especially useful when automated tools like ANDI can’t programmatically determined contrast issues, or when a standalone application is preferred.

Duration 6m 07s | 1-Part Video Tutorial

How to Use the WebAIM Contrast Checker

In this video, you’ll learn how to use WebAIM’s Contrast Checker to evaluate the contrast between text—or images of text—and background colors in documents. This tool is especially helpful when contrast issues can’t be programmatically determined by tools like ANDI or when those tools aren’t available.

Duration 5m 22s | 1-Part Video Tutorial

How to Test Color Contrast using the Color Contrast Analyser (CCA)

In Module: 14 of the Accessible Name & Description Inspector (ANDI) Tool video series, learn how to use the Color Contrast Analyzer's (CCA) built-in color sampler to ensure the contrast ratio between text, and images of text, and it's background is sufficient. CCA can be used to when contrast cannot programmatically determined by ANDI.

Duration 2m 33s | 1-Part Video Tutorial

Note: Your government-issued device may not allow you to download or use certain software. Contact your agency’s IT Helpdesk to check if the software is available for installation.

Reviewed/Updated: August 2025

*Disclaimer: Reference in this site to any specific commercial product, process, or service, or the use of any trade, firm or corporation name is for the information and convenience of the public, and does not constitute endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by GSA. GSA does not guarantee that outside websites or products comply with Section 508 (accessibility requirements) of the Rehabilitation Act.