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Our methodology

How a rigorous audit
actually works

Every AMTAA audit follows WCAG-EM — the W3C’s official evaluation methodology. Structured, repeatable, and defensible — not a checklist run on your homepage.

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The standard

What is WCAG-EM?

WCAG-EM (Website Accessibility Conformance Evaluation Methodology) is the W3C’s official framework for evaluating whether a website meets WCAG requirements.
It was developed because running an automated scanner on a single page — or even doing ad hoc manual checks — doesn’t give you a reliable or defensible picture of your site’s accessibility. You need a structured, documented process.

Every AMTAA audit follows this methodology precisely. That means your findings reflect how your real site performs across real user journeys — not just what a tool can catch on your homepage.

“WCAG-EM is intended for experienced evaluators. It does not change existing WCAG requirements — it provides the best-practice methodology for verifying them rigorously.”

— W3C Web Accessibility Initiative

Why this matters to you

An audit conducted to WCAG-EM standards carries weight with regulators, grant funders, public sector procurement teams, and legal advisors. It demonstrates you didn’t just run a free checker — you followed a documented, professional process.

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The process

The 5 steps of WCAG-EM

A documented, repeatable process applied to every audit we deliver.

1

Define Scope

We agree the boundaries of the evaluation — which parts of your site, which user journeys, target WCAG level, and whether mobile or desktop is in scope. No surprises at the report stage.

2

Explore the Website
We map your site’s functionality, technology stack, design patterns, and interactive components before testing begins — so nothing gets missed and our sample accurately represents the whole.

3

Select a Representative Sample
We choose a structured set of pages covering all key templates, journeys, and functionality. Auditing every page isn’t efficient or necessary — auditing the right pages is. This step is where inexperienced auditors cut corners.

4

Audit the Sample
We manually test each selected page against WCAG 2.2 AA success criteria using screen readers, keyboard navigation, colour contrast tools, and automated scanners — combined, not siloed. This is where the real expertise lies.

5

Report Findings
You receive a clear, prioritised report documenting methodology, sample pages, every issue found, its severity, and exactly how to fix it — in plain English your team can act on immediately.

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The Toolset

Tools we use — and why

Professional-grade assistive technologies and scanning tools. None of these replace expert judgement — they support it.

NVDA

Windows screen reader

WAVE

Web accessibility evaluation

axe DevTools

Automated rule-based scanning

Accessibility Insights

Microsoft browser extension

Stark

Contrast & design checks

BrowserStack

Cross-device & browser testing

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Commercial context

Why methodology matters commercially

A WCAG-EM audit isn’t just more thorough — it opens doors a free tool scan never could.

Legal & regulatory defensibility

If your accessibility is challenged — by a regulator, under the EAA, or through litigation — a documented WCAG-EM audit demonstrates genuine due diligence. An automated scan does not.

Public sector procurement
Public sector buyers routinely require evidence of WCAG 2.2 AA conformance as part of tender requirements. A structured, documented audit is what procurement panels expect to see.
Grant funding & investment
Many grant funders and public investment bodies require accessibility compliance evidence. A WCAG-EM audit provides the documented proof that satisfies this requirement.

Ready to commission a WCAG-EM audit?

Talk to us about your site, your timeline, and which standard you need to evidence compliance against.
Get in touch
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