User Testing

A research method in which representative users perform tasks with a product or system while evaluators observe, record, and analyze their behavior. In accessibility contexts, user testing with people with disabilities is considered essential because it reveals real-world barriers that automated testing tools and expert reviews cannot detect. Participants may use assistive technologies such as screen readers, switch devices, or voice input, and the testing environment must accommodate their needs. User testing complements automated accessibility audits and heuristic evaluations by providing direct evidence of how accessibility features perform in practice.