Evaluate web accessibility within your browser.
WAVE Evaluation Tool Extension
To run a WAVE report, simply click on the WAVE icon to the right of your browser address bar, or select \"WAVE this page\" from the context menu.
WAVE errors align with WCAG 2.2 failures. The WAVE interface facilitates human evaluation of many other aspects of accessibility and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines and Section 508 compliance.
Version 3.2.7.2 (September 2024) fixes a bug that disallowed checking of local files and suppresses errors in some cases where role=\"presentation\" is present.
Version 3.2.7.0 (August 2024) adds compatibility with Manifest v3. Inputs with aria-disabled=true are no longer considered for contrast checking.
Version 3.2.6.0 (August 2024) adds support for contrast checking when foreground alpha/opacity is defined. The Contrast sidebar tools are updated to support foreground alpha. Also numerous minor bug fixes and improvements.
Version 3.2.5.3 (February 2024) fixes numerous minor bugs and adds testing refinements. Some hidden inputs are no longer incorrectly flagged as not labeled.
Version 3.2.4.4 (October 2023) fixes a few minor bugs with testing hidden content and with the sidebar contrast tools.
Version 3.2.3.9 (June 2023) removes the warning message on UserWay pages due to them removing code that changes page content when the WAVE extension is activated.
Version 3.2.3.8 (June 2023) includes numerous accessibility test enhancements, several minor bug fixes, and simplification of the contrast checking tools. Users are informed that WAVE results may be manipulated on pages that utilize UserWay or accessiBe overlays.
Version 3.2.3 (March 2023) includes several minor bug fixes. A previous update to test for contrast errors in hidden elements has been reverted. While this was useful for finding contrast errors in drop-down menus, tab panels, dialog windows, etc., identification of errors in hidden elements caused user confusion and, in some rare cases, false positives.
Version 3.2 (December 2022) includes over 100 bug fixes and performance enhancements. The extension no longer utilizes jQuery, resulting in faster testing and better compatibility with a variety of pages. A new Navigation Order panel is available that shows the navigation order, element roles, and accessible names (what is read by a screen reader) for all navigable elements.
Version 3.1.6 (October 2021) includes numerous bug fixes and test rule enhancements for better testing contrast (filters, background images, and other complex color definitions are better handled), document language (IANA-defined language values are now tested), empty links and buttons (better ARIA support for accessible name computations), broken ARIA references, etc., etc. Performance and accessibility has been improved.
Version 3.1.3 (November 2020) includes performance enhancements and fixes several minor bugs, including fixes for multiple alerts for some pseudo-lists and disabled controls being incorrectly flagged for contrast failures.
Version 3.1.2 (October 2020) fixes several minor bugs, including with the Structure tab sometimes incorrectly showing no structure, and improves performance and accessibility testing reliability.
Version 3.1 (September 2020) includes new accessibility tests (region, figure, possible list, select element missing label, and image with title), improved contrast checking, expanded lang attribute value checking, and numerous other bug fixes and improvements.
Version 3.0.9 (July 2020) includes numerous bug fixes, improved accessibility, and improved color contrast checking including fewer false positives and expanded contrast checking for form inputs.
Source Manifest.json
How to download and manually install WAVE Evaluation Tool extension for Chrome
Looking for a way to install WAVE Evaluation Tool extensions for Chrome, you can search for them in the Chrome Web Store, clicking the "Add to Chrome" button, and following the straightforward process.
However, you may need to install WAVE Evaluation Tool extensions manually, this article outlines two simple methods to effortlessly install WAVE Evaluation Tool extensions, whether they come as unpacked folders in compressed formats like .zip or as .crx files.
Method 1: Download WAVE Evaluation Tool extension and manually install through Drag &Drop
If you ever need to manually install a WAVE Evaluation Tool extension for Chrome, don't worry, it's a simple process. Just follow these easy steps, and you will have your extension ready to use in no time.
Step 1: Download the WAVE Evaluation Tool Extension by clicking the "Download CRX" button on the website.
Look for the WAVE Evaluation Tool extension you wish to install. Go to the website and download the WAVE Evaluation Tool extension package, which is usually a .CRX file and comes in a zipped file. Here ".crx" file is the format for WAVE Evaluation Tool extension that contains all the data.
Step 2: Extract &Arrange Files
Once the file is downloaded, extract that file into its own folder. Similarly, give that extension files a permanent home. In other words, keep it in a folder that you don't accidentally delete it because these files will be needed to make that extension work.
Step 3: Go to the Chrome Extensions Page
Open Google Chrome and in the address bar, type chrome://extensions; it will open the Google Chrome extensions page. Make sure that "My extensions" is selected in the sidebar.
Step 4: Drag and Drop the Extension
Now, go to the folder where you extracted the WAVE Evaluation Tool extension and drag &drop the extension file from there anywhere onto the extension page within Google Chrome.
Step 5: Complete the Installation
Once you drag and drop the extension file, follow the steps that Google Chrome takes you through. Similarly, if the extension file is of .crx file format, you will be required to review the permissions and then add the extension.
Now, you can manage that added extension as you would like to with any other Chrome extension that you added through Chrome Webstore. Its icon will also appear in the Google Chrome Menu on the right side of the address bar once you activate it.
Method 2: Download WAVE Evaluation Tool extension for Chrome and install in Developer Mode
This is another method to install WAVE Evaluation Tool extension manually, but the twist is that here, you install by enabling the developer mode option provided in Google Chrome. This mode is commonly used for testing extensions or running unpublished tools.
Step 1: Download the WAVE Evaluation Tool extension file
Select and download the WAVE Evaluation Tool extension by clicking the 'Download CRX' button on the website.
Step 2: Extract the downloaded contents
Convert the file to a ZIP file if it is in CRX format then extract the WAVE Evaluation Tool extension zip file or folder that you downloaded. Make sure you extract it using the same folder name and keep it safely in another folder, so you don't delete it by mistake. The extracted folder will be needed to keep your WAVE Evaluation Tool extension running.
Step 3: Open Chrome Extension Setting Page
In the address bar of Google Chrome, type chrome://extensions and open the Chrome Extension Page.
Step 4: Enable Developer Mode
After opening the Chrome Extension page, look at the top right side, and you will find the toggle option of "Developer mode."Simply enable that developer mode option.
Step 5: Load the Unpacked Extension
Once you enable the developer mode option, you will see the menu of Load Unpacked, Pack Extensions and Update. From that, select the option "Load unpacked."
Step 6: Select the Extension Folder
Once the pop-up opens upon clicking Load unpacked, select the WAVE Evaluation Tool extension directory and click on the "Select Folder "button.
Step 7: Confirm and Install
After you select an extension folder of a Google Chrome extension you're installing manually, confirm its installation for the final time and let the installation complete.
Conclusion
Here we've made a step-by-step guide on How to manually install WAVE Evaluation Tool extension in 2 ways. We hope this guide proves helpful.
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User reviews
Jared Reid (ID: 000000820ef18b6b) Voted 1 ★ - Updated 03/08/2023
Teri Brooks (ID: 000000bbb19d0afa) Voted 5 ★ - Updated 01/13/2023
Tony Langford (ID: 000000fd71542692) Voted 3 ★ - Updated 10/25/2022
Ermes Mox (ID: 00000025a40c7db0) Voted 2 ★ - Updated 08/03/2022
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