name: a11y-validator description: Verify that accessibility fixes resolve identified issues by re-running tests and checking against acceptance criteria. Use this skill after fixes have been generated to confirm they work correctly. Uses a11y-tester for runtime re-testing and magentaa11y-mcp for acceptance criteria verification. Part of the a11y-orchestrator workflow.

Accessibility Validator

Confirms that generated fixes resolve accessibility issues.

Validation Workflow

1. Apply fixes to the code
2. Re-run tests to check if issues are resolved
3. Check acceptance criteria — query magentaa11y-mcp:
   • get_web_component("button") → Returns acceptance criteria
   • get_component_gherkin("button") → Returns Gherkin test syntax
4. Categorize results as fixed, needs-manual, or still-failing

Re-Testing Process

For Runtime Issues (from a11y-tester)

Re-run the a11y-tester skill on the modified code:

1. Serve or load the updated HTML
2. Execute axe-core scan
3. Compare violations to original list
4. Mark resolved issues as fixed

Issue is fixed when:

• axe-core no longer reports the violation
• The specific element/selector passes

For Static Issues (from web-standards)

Re-apply the web-standards skill analysis:

1. Parse the updated code
2. Run the same checks that found the issue
3. Verify the problematic pattern is resolved

Issue is fixed when:

• The anti-pattern is no longer present
• Proper semantic/ARIA structure exists

Acceptance Criteria Verification

Query magentaa11y-mcp for component acceptance criteria:

• get_web_component("button") → Returns full acceptance criteria
• get_component_gherkin("button") → Returns Gherkin test syntax
• get_component_developer_notes("button") → Returns implementation notes

For each fix, verify it meets the documented acceptance criteria:

Example: Button Fix Validation

From magentaa11y-mcp button criteria, verify:

• Has accessible name (visible text or aria-label)
• Role is "button" (native or ARIA)
• Keyboard operable (Enter/Space activates)
• Focus visible when focused
• State communicated if applicable (pressed, expanded)

Example: Form Input Fix Validation

From magentaa11y-mcp text-input criteria, verify:

• Label programmatically associated
• Required state communicated
• Error messages associated via aria-describedby
• Input purpose identifiable

Example: Link Fix Validation

From magentaa11y-mcp link criteria, verify:

• Has accessible name
• Role is "link"
• Keyboard operable (Enter activates)
• Purpose clear from link text or context

Result Categories

✅ Fixed

Issue confirmed resolved:

• Automated test passes
• Acceptance criteria met
• No regression introduced

### Issue #N: [Description]
**Status:** ✅ Fixed
**Verification:** axe-core passes / static check passes
**Criteria Met:** [List from magentaa11y-mcp]

⚠️ Needs Manual Review

Cannot automatically verify:

• Visual verification required (contrast, focus style)
• Content quality check needed (alt text appropriateness)
• Complex interaction testing required
• User judgment needed

### Issue #N: [Description]
**Status:** ⚠️ Needs Manual Review
**Reason:** [Why automated verification isn't possible]
**Manual Check:** [What human should verify]
**Guidance:** Query magentaa11y-mcp for component pattern

❌ Still Failing

Fix did not resolve the issue:

• Automated test still fails
• Pattern still detected
• Different approach needed

### Issue #N: [Description]
**Status:** ❌ Still Failing
**Reason:** [Why fix didn't work]
**Suggestion:** [Alternative approach to try]

Validation Checklist by Issue Type

Accessible Name Issues

• Element now has accessible name
• Name is meaningful and descriptive
• Name matches visible label (if applicable)

Semantic Structure Issues

• Correct HTML element used
• No redundant ARIA
• Proper nesting maintained

Keyboard Issues

• Element is focusable
• Expected keys work (Enter, Space, Escape, Arrows)
• Focus order logical
• Focus visible

Form Issues

• All inputs labeled
• Errors associated with inputs
• Required fields indicated
• Instructions associated

Landmark Issues

• Required landmarks present
• No duplicate main landmarks
• Landmarks properly labeled if multiple

Image Issues

• Alt attribute present
• Alt content appropriate (descriptive or empty)
• Decorative images marked correctly

Evidence Expectations (Make Validation Actionable)

For each “✅ Fixed” issue, include at least one of:

• The before/after axe rule status (rule id + instance count)
• The selector / snippet that was previously failing and now passes
• Any manual verification note required for final confidence (e.g., focus visibility, reflow)

Output Format

## Validation Results

**Total Issues:** X
**Fixed:** Y
**Needs Manual Review:** Z
**Still Failing:** W

### Fixed Issues

| Issue | Description | Verification Method |
|-------|-------------|---------------------|
| #1 | Missing button name | axe-core: button-name passes |
| #2 | Skipped heading | Static: h1→h2→h3 present |

### Needs Manual Review

| Issue | Description | Manual Check Required |
|-------|-------------|-----------------------|
| #3 | Image alt text | Verify alt describes image content |
| #4 | Focus visibility | Verify focus ring meets 3:1 contrast |

### Still Failing

| Issue | Description | Reason | Next Step |
|-------|-------------|--------|-----------|
| #5 | Complex table | Headers not properly associated | Review table structure |

Regression Checks

After validation, verify no new issues introduced:

1. Run full axe-core scan on modified code
2. Compare total violation count
3. Flag any new issues not in original list

WCAG 2.2-Focused Regression Checks (Often Manual)

Even if axe-core is clean, explicitly verify or flag for manual review:

• Focus Not Obscured (Minimum) (2.4.11 AA): focused control remains visible with sticky headers/footers, banners, dialogs
• Dragging Movements (2.5.7 AA): drag-and-drop has an alternative (keyboard/buttons)
• Target Size (Minimum) (2.5.8 AA): small icon buttons/controls meet 24×24 CSS px or have an equivalent exception rationale
• Accessible Authentication (Minimum) (3.3.8 AA): login supports password managers; no cognition-only “puzzles” without alternatives

## Regression Check

**New Issues Found:** X

| New Issue | Description | Introduced By |
|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| ... | ... | Fix for Issue #N |

Quick Reference