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ATIC Testing Laboratory

The ATIC Testing Laboratory conducts structured evaluations of assistive and adaptive technologies across real-world environments including home, workplace, healthcare, and community settings.

Lab Testing & Evaluations Protocol

Our goal isn't to critique — it's to give an unbiased, evidence-based assessment that helps developers improve their products for people with disabilities. Read the full methodology behind expert heuristic review, disability-specific metrics, and automated testing.

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Evaluation Process

1

Product Intake & Documentation Review

Reviewing product purpose, technical specifications, setup requirements, accessibility features, and intended user populations before testing begins.

2

Expert Panel Formation

Assembling a panel of accessibility evaluators, caregivers, users, and people with disabilities, working against WCAG 2.2 AA, Section 508, and EN 301 549.

3

Three-Track Structured Evaluation

Scoring the product across three parallel tracks — universal accessibility (POUR), disability-specific needs, and assistive technology compatibility.

4

Automated Accessibility Testing

Running tools such as Axe, WAVE, and Lighthouse to establish an objective technical baseline alongside the expert review.

5

Real-World Barrier Walkthrough

Testing everyday journeys — registration, login, navigation, forms, and support — as a person with a specific disability would experience them.

6

Accessibility Readiness & Public Reporting

Combining all findings into an overall readiness score with Critical, Major, and Minor recommendations, published through the ATIC Testing Laboratory.

How We Evaluate

Every product moves through three parallel evaluation tracks that converge into a single accessibility-readiness score — covering broad web accessibility standards, the needs of specific disabilities, and real assistive technology compatibility.

Track 1

Universal Accessibility

Applies the POUR principles from the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.2).

  • Perceivable
  • Operable
  • Understandable
  • Robust
  • Consistent

Track 2

Disability-Specific Accessibility

Evaluates the product separately against the needs of each disability category.

  • Cognitive
  • Physical
  • Sensory
  • Communication
  • Psychosocial

Track 3

Assistive Technology Testing

Verifies compatibility with the specific tools people rely on every day.

  • Screen readers
  • Keyboard-only navigation
  • Switch access
  • Voice control
  • Magnification software

Accessibility Readiness

Overall score + severity ratings

Recommendations

Critical · Major · Minor

Evaluation Metrics

Usability Findings
Independence Outcomes
Environmental Performance
Durability Observations
Connectivity Requirements
Accessibility Considerations
Best-Fit User Profiles
Identified Limitations

What We Test

Experts walk through each product step by step as a person with a specific disability would, documenting every barrier they encounter — across the everyday journeys real users take through any product.

01 · User Registration

Can someone with a screen reader fill out a sign-up form? Are the fields properly labeled?

02 · Authentication

Can a keyboard-only user log in? Does a CAPTCHA block someone who can't see images?

03 · Navigation

Can someone using only Tab and arrow keys move around the site without getting stuck?

04 · Content Consumption

Can a deaf user still get value from a video without sound? Is text readable at high zoom?

05 · Form Completion

Are error messages clear enough for someone with a cognitive disability to understand and fix their mistake?

06 · Purchasing & Transactions

Can a user with a tremor complete a checkout without accidentally triggering the wrong button? Are time-out warnings accessible?

07 · Customer Support Access

Can someone using a screen reader find and use the help chat or contact form?

Standards We Follow

Evaluations are held to recognized, internationally referenced accessibility standards.

WCAG 2.2 Level AA Section 508 EN 301 549

Our Expert Panel

Every evaluation is conducted by a panel of accessibility evaluators, caregivers, users, and people with disabilities — not to criticize a product, but to help its developers improve it.

Join the Panel

Products in Development / Testing

Meta Smart Glasses

Hands-free accessibility and cognitive support tools for communication, prompting, and adaptive interaction.

Completed
Usability Findings
Independence Outcomes
Environmental Performance
Durability Observations
Connectivity Requirements
Accessibility Considerations
Best-Fit User Profiles
Identified Limitations

Lotus Ring

Wearable assistive interaction technology supporting accessibility, adaptive input, and independent device control.

In Progress

Assistive & Adaptive Reading Support

Assistive technologies supporting reading accessibility, cognitive support, and adaptive learning for individuals.

In Progress