Skip to content
https://newswise.com

Accessibility

· 13 checks — Landmarks, headings, alt text, forms, and link quality rolled into one auditable list.
SCORE
59
GRADE
D
FIX
5
REVIEW
4
PASS
4
INFO
0
Checks
13
4 PASS 4 REVIEW 5 FIX
F
404 Error Page
Action
Soft 404 detected
FIX
Soft 404 detected
Critical::
Soft 404: server returns HTTP 200 for non-existent pages
The server returns HTTP 200 for a path that does not exist. Search engines will index these pages, diluting your real content. Configure your server to return a proper 404 status code for missing pages.
Got: Status: 200 for /beavercheck-404-test-eqj6w9
404 Page Quality ✗ Soft 404 (HTTP 200)
Status Code: HTTP 200

The server returned HTTP 200 for a non-existent path. Search engines will index this page as real content. Configure your server to return HTTP 404 for missing pages.

F
Web Manifest
Action
Invalid JSON
FIX
Invalid JSON
Warning::
Manifest contains invalid JSON
Manifest at https://newswise.com/manifest.json contains invalid JSON. Browsers cannot parse it.
Got: https://newswise.com/manifest.json

Manifest contains invalid JSON.

D
Dark Mode Support
Action
Theme color only
FIX
Theme color only
Info::
Theme-color present but no dark variant
A theme-color is set but no dark-specific variant was found. The browser toolbar may not adapt for dark mode users.
Got: #ffffff
Info::
No dark mode signals detected
Consider adding CSS with @media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) and <meta name='color-scheme' content='light dark'>.
Info::
Detection limited to meta tags and inline styles
External CSS files may contain prefers-color-scheme rules not visible to this scan.
Dark ModePartial Dark Mode
color-scheme meta Not set ✗Dark theme-color Not set ✗CSS indicators Not detected ✗

Detection limited to meta tags and inline styles.

D
Print Stylesheet
Action
No print styles
FIX
No print styles
Info::
No print-specific styles detected
When users print this page, they get the screen layout including navigation and non-essential elements. Add @media print rules to hide navigation and optimize layout for paper.
Print Stylesheet No Print Styles
Print stylesheet Not found ✗Inline @media print Not detected ✗
F
Navigation UX
Action
No navigation patterns
FIX
No navigation patterns
Info::
1 navigation landmark(s) detected
Info::
Hamburger menu detected (responsive design)
Info::
No breadcrumbs, search, or skip link detected
These navigation aids help users orient themselves and find content efficiently, especially on large sites.
Breadcrumbs
Search
Skip Link
Labeled Navigation 1 <nav> element(s)
Back to Top
Hamburger Menu
Sticky Navigation Cannot reliably detect (CSS-based)
2 of 6 testable patterns navigation patterns detected. Limited navigation support. Consider adding breadcrumbs, search, and skip link.
C
Landmark Structure
Action
3 landmarks
REVIEW
3 landmarks
Critical::
No <main> landmark found
Screen reader users cannot quickly navigate to the primary content. Wrap your main content in <main>.
Info::
1 <nav> landmark(s) found
Warning::
Skip navigation link is missing (WCAG 2.4.1)
Add a skip link as the first focusable element so keyboard users can bypass repeated navigation.
Page Structure — as a screen reader sees it
BANNER header NAV MAIN (missing!) CONTENTINFO footer

Screen reader users cannot quickly navigate to the primary content. Wrap your main content in <main>.

Why this matters

Without a <main> landmark, screen-reader users can't skip past the navigation to the page content — every page starts with re-reading the menu.

Learn more ▾

The <main> element marks the page's primary content area. Assistive tech offers a 'jump to main' shortcut — but only if <main> exists. Without it, every page navigation forces re-reading the header. Wrap your primary content in a single <main>.

Source: WAI-ARIA / WCAG 2.4.1

Add a skip link as the first focusable element so keyboard users can bypass repeated navigation.

Why this matters

Without a skip-nav link, keyboard users tab through every nav item before reaching content — every page, every visit.

Learn more ▾

WCAG 2.4.1 (Bypass Blocks) requires a mechanism to skip past repeated content. The standard implementation is a 'Skip to main content' link that's the first focusable element, visually hidden until focused. Three lines of HTML + four of CSS.

Source: WCAG 2.1 SC 2.4.1

B
Form Accessibility
2 of 2 controls have issues
REVIEW
2 of 2 controls have issues
Warning::
2 control(s) rely on placeholder only
Placeholder text disappears on focus and is not a reliable label.
Got: <input type="text" name="search[text]">; <input type="text" name="search[text]" id="q">
2 controls
0 labeled
2 placeholder only
0 unlabeled
ControlTypeLabelMethod
search[text]text(Search ...)placeholder only
#qtext(Search ...)placeholder only

Placeholder text disappears on focus and is not a reliable label.

<input type="text" name="search[text]">; <input type="text" name="search[text]" id="q">

Why this matters

Placeholder-only labels disappear when the user starts typing — they must remember what the field was for.

Learn more ▾

Placeholders are NOT labels. They vanish on input, fail color contrast checks (most are gray), and don't satisfy WCAG SC 3.3.2. Always use a real <label> alongside (or aria-labelledby).

Source: WCAG 2.1 SC 3.3.2 / Nielsen Norman

B
Favicon & Branding
14 icon(s) detected
REVIEW
14 icon(s) detected
Info::
favicon.ico present at site root
Info::
HTML icon links detected
Info::
Apple touch icon present
Info::
Multiple icon sizes detected
✓ favicon.ico Present
✓ PNG Icons Present
✓ Apple Touch Present
✗ SVG Favicon Missing
✗ Manifest Icons Missing
✓ Multiple Sizes Present
A+
Heading Hierarchy
59 headings
PASS
59 headings
Info::
Single H1 present
  • H6 Expert Pitch
  • H6 Expert Query
  • H6 Expert Directory
  • H1 Connecting Research and Experts with Journalists
  • H2 Simplify and reduce the time it takes to connect with reporters for the research and innovation at your institution.
  • H2 Trending News
  • H3 $1M Grant Funds Study on Greener, Cleaner Cannabis Farming
  • H3 The Food We Never Eat
  • H3 Millions Suffering Needlessly with Curable Hepatitis C
  • H3 SKKU Publishes Report on Technological Advances and Research Trends in Perovskite Solar Cells
  • H3 SKKU Researchers Develop Breakthrough “Gas Battery” Technology that Generates Electricity from Greenhouse Gases
  • H2 Expert Opinion and Breaking News Commentaries
  • H3 Cholesterol and Heart Health Expert Available to Discuss New Clinical Guidelines
  • H3 Expert tips for choosing healthy plants at the garden center this spring
  • H3 ALS Specialists Share Latest Advancements in Care and Research
  • H3 To the Moon and Back: Columbia Experts Weigh in on the Artemis II Mission
  • H3 New Studies Raise Red Flags About Using AI Chatbots for Medical Advice
  • H2 Latest Academic Journal News
  • H3 New protein screening platform accelerates rare earth separation for US supply chain
  • H3 IBS treatment response predicted by gut microbiome in new study
  • H3 How Acupuncture Rewires Neuro-Immune Circuits to Treat Disease at Its Root
  • H3 Lessons from Finland: FAU Researcher Reveals Gaps in Special Education Math Instruction
  • H3 First Large‑scale Survey Estimates that 2.8% of U.S. Population Used Psilocybin in the Past Year
  • H2 Breaking Medical News
  • H3 Power within: How a new melanoma treatment shrinks tumors from the inside
  • H3 Cholesterol and Heart Health Expert Available to Discuss New Clinical Guidelines
  • H3 UNC Research Highlights Benefits, Risks and Best Practices for Using AI Tools to Prepare Scientific Manuscripts
  • H3 Concentraciones comparables de vitamina B6 entre las cervezas sin alcohol y las convencionales
  • H3 无酒精啤酒和传统啤酒中的维生素 B6 含量相当
  • H2 Breaking Science News
  • H3 Nebraska Ranchers Share Land Decisions Through UNL Research Project
  • H3 Concentraciones comparables de vitamina B6 entre las cervezas sin alcohol y las convencionales
  • H3 无酒精啤酒和传统啤酒中的维生素 B6 含量相当
  • H3 VENUS instrument at ORNL delivers first neutron imaging results for users
  • H3 Enhancer provides a potential target for ‘undruggable’ MYC in pediatric medulloblastoma
  • H2 Breaking Humanities and Social Science News
  • H3 Nieland Turns Nebraska's State Bird Into Symbol of Voting Pride
  • H3 A fresh take on the 'COVID generation': How the pandemic may have changed young people for the better
  • H3 Telling people they might lose motivates more than telling them they might win, research shows
  • H3 Eyecelerator Teams up With Unither Pharmaceuticals and Ora for Web Series on Transforming Ophthalmic Innovation into Market-Ready Therapies
  • H3 Expert tips for choosing healthy plants at the garden center this spring
  • H2 Breaking Business News
  • H3 PNNL Names Three Senior Leaders to Key Management Roles
  • H3 The Autoimmune Association Announces New Leadership for Board of Directors
  • H3 Crypto Traders Lack Financial Savvy
  • H3 Forbes Names Roswell Park to List of America’s Best Employers for Company Culture
  • H3 Rutgers Launches Employee Ownership Applied Research Lab to Bridge Research and Real-World Practice
  • H2 Scientific and Medical Meetings
  • H3 AACR: Clinical Trial Presentations Feature Advances Across Cancer Care
  • H3 Mayo Clinic Researchers Present Advances in Immunotherapy, Biomarkers and Tumor Biology at AACR 2026
  • H3 New Sylvester Data Portal Combines Multi-Sourced Clinical and Genomic Data Into Unified Platform
  • H3 Tired of Swiping? Now an AI Simulation Helps US Understand Why
  • H3 These AI-Powered Guide Dogs Don’t Just Lead – They Talk
  • H3 Forms
  • H3 Experts
  • H3 Newswise
  • H3 About Newswise
  • H3 Contact Us
  • H3 Signup
A+
Alt Text Quality
All 4 images OK
PASS
All 4 images OK
Info::
4 image(s) with good alt text
4 images 4 good alt text
All images have appropriate alt text.
A+
Color Contrast (Screenshot)
20 text elements analyzed, 0 fail WCAG AA
PASS

Analyzes text contrast against the actual rendered page, including background images, gradients, and overlays that CSS-based tools cannot detect.

20 pass
Show all checked elements (20)
ElementRatioRequiredFGBGResult
h1 Connecting Research …21.00:13.0:1
#000000
#FFFFFF
Pass
h2 Simplify and reduce …21.00:13.0:1
#000000
#FFFFFF
Pass
h2 Trending News21.00:13.0:1
#000000
#FFFFFF
Pass
h2 Expert Opinion and B…21.00:13.0:1
#000000
#FFFFFF
Pass
h2 Latest Academic Jour…21.00:13.0:1
#000000
#FFFFFF
Pass
h2 Breaking Medical New…21.00:13.0:1
#000000
#FFFFFF
Pass
h2 Breaking Science New…21.00:13.0:1
#000000
#FFFFFF
Pass
h2 Breaking Humanities …21.00:13.0:1
#000000
#FFFFFF
Pass
h2 Breaking Business Ne…21.00:13.0:1
#000000
#FFFFFF
Pass
h2 Scientific and Medic…21.00:13.0:1
#000000
#FFFFFF
Pass
h3 $1M Grant Funds Stud…21.00:13.0:1
#000000
#FFFFFF
Pass
h3 The Food We Never Ea…21.00:13.0:1
#000000
#FFFFFF
Pass
h3 Millions Suffering N…21.00:13.0:1
#000000
#FFFFFF
Pass
h3 SKKU Publishes Repor…21.00:13.0:1
#000000
#FFFFFF
Pass
h3 SKKU Researchers Dev…21.00:13.0:1
#000000
#FFFFFF
Pass
h3 Cholesterol and Hear…21.00:13.0:1
#000000
#FFFFFF
Pass
h3 Expert tips for choo…21.00:13.0:1
#000000
#FFFFFF
Pass
h3 ALS Specialists Shar…21.00:13.0:1
#000000
#FFFFFF
Pass
h3 To the Moon and Back…21.00:13.0:1
#000000
#FFFFFF
Pass
h3 New Studies Raise Re…21.00:13.0:1
#000000
#FFFFFF
Pass

Methodology: The top 20 text elements by font size were checked. Background color was sampled from the desktop screenshot using a 5-point pattern. WCAG 2.1 AA requires 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text.

A+
Lighthouse Accessibility Audits
Score 98/100 — 1 failing, 23 passed
PASS
98

Accessibility

These checks highlight opportunities to improve the accessibility of your web app. Automatic detection can only detect a subset of issues and does not guarantee the accessibility of your web app, so manual testing is also encouraged.

Best practices

One main landmark helps screen reader users navigate a web page. Learn more about landmarks.

Why this matters

Performance issues directly impact user engagement and conversion rates.

Failing Elements
html html

These items highlight common accessibility best practices.

○Interactive controls are keyboard focusable
○Interactive elements indicate their purpose and state
○The page has a logical tab order
○Visual order on the page follows DOM order
○User focus is not accidentally trapped in a region
○The user's focus is directed to new content added to the page
○HTML5 landmark elements are used to improve navigation
○Offscreen content is hidden from assistive technology
○Custom controls have associated labels
○Custom controls have ARIA roles
●`[aria-*]` attributes match their roles
●`[aria-hidden="true"]` is not present on the document `<body>`
●`[aria-*]` attributes have valid values
●`[aria-*]` attributes are valid and not misspelled
●Buttons have an accessible name
●Image elements have `[alt]` attributes
●Form elements have associated labels
●`[user-scalable="no"]` is not used in the `<meta name="viewport">` element and the `[maximum-scale]` attribute is not less than 5.
●`[accesskey]` values are unique
●ARIA attributes are used as specified for the element's role
●`[aria-hidden="true"]` elements do not contain focusable descendents
●Elements use only permitted ARIA attributes
●Background and foreground colors have a sufficient contrast ratio
●Document has a `<title>` element
●`<html>` element has a `[lang]` attribute
●`<html>` element has a valid value for its `[lang]` attribute
●Links have a discernible name
●Lists contain only `<li>` elements and script supporting elements (`<script>` and `<template>`).
●List items (`<li>`) are contained within `<ul>`, `<ol>` or `<menu>` parent elements
●No element has a `[tabindex]` value greater than 0
●Touch targets have sufficient size and spacing.
●Heading elements appear in a sequentially-descending order
●Identical links have the same purpose.
○`button`, `link`, and `menuitem` elements have accessible names
○Deprecated ARIA roles were not used
○Elements with `role="dialog"` or `role="alertdialog"` have accessible names.
○ARIA input fields have accessible names
○ARIA `meter` elements have accessible names
○ARIA `progressbar` elements have accessible names
○`[role]`s have all required `[aria-*]` attributes
○Elements with an ARIA `[role]` that require children to contain a specific `[role]` have all required children.
○`[role]`s are contained by their required parent element
○`[role]` values are valid
○Elements with the `role=text` attribute do not have focusable descendents.
○ARIA toggle fields have accessible names
○ARIA `tooltip` elements have accessible names
○ARIA `treeitem` elements have accessible names
○The page contains a heading, skip link, or landmark region
○`<dl>`'s contain only properly-ordered `<dt>` and `<dd>` groups, `<script>`, `<template>` or `<div>` elements.
○Definition list items are wrapped in `<dl>` elements
○ARIA IDs are unique
○No form fields have multiple labels
○`<frame>` or `<iframe>` elements have a title
○`<html>` element has an `[xml:lang]` attribute with the same base language as the `[lang]` attribute.
○Input buttons have discernible text.
○`<input type="image">` elements have `[alt]` text
○Links are distinguishable without relying on color.
○The document does not use `<meta http-equiv="refresh">`
○`<object>` elements have alternate text
○Select elements have associated label elements.
○Skip links are focusable.
○Cells in a `<table>` element that use the `[headers]` attribute refer to table cells within the same table.
○`<th>` elements and elements with `[role="columnheader"/"rowheader"]` have data cells they describe.
○`[lang]` attributes have a valid value
○`<video>` elements contain a `<track>` element with `[kind="captions"]`
○Tables have different content in the summary attribute and `<caption>`.
○All heading elements contain content.
○Uses ARIA roles only on compatible elements
○Image elements do not have `[alt]` attributes that are redundant text.
○Elements with visible text labels have matching accessible names.
○Tables use `<caption>` instead of cells with the `[colspan]` attribute to indicate a caption.
○`<td>` elements in a large `<table>` have one or more table headers.
All checks on this page are automated. Results are estimates - run targeted manual reviews when the score affects a release decision.

Send Feedback