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Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Agora, accessibility testing, and best practices.
General Questions
What is Agora?
Q: What is Agora and what does it do?
A: Agora is a comprehensive desktop application for automated accessibility testing of websites. It uses the industry-standard axe-core engine to scan websites for WCAG 2.2 AA and AAA compliance issues, provides AI-powered insights for screen reader simulation, and generates detailed reports for stakeholders.
Q: Who should use Agora?
A: Agora is designed for:
- Accessibility specialists conducting regular audits
- Web developers integrating accessibility into their workflow
- QA teams adding accessibility to their testing processes
- Product managers tracking compliance across projects
- Organizations needing to maintain WCAG compliance
Q: How does Agora differ from other accessibility testing tools?
A: Agora offers several unique advantages:
- Desktop application with no browser dependency
- AI-powered features like screen reader simulation
- Multi-website management from a centralized dashboard
- Professional reporting for stakeholders and compliance
- Organization support with role-based access control
Licensing and Cost
Q: What licenses do I need to use Agora?
A: Agora requires two types of licenses:
- Agora License: Required for basic functionality (scanning, reporting)
- AI License: Required for AI-powered features (screen reader simulation, accessibility analysis)
Both licenses are managed through the QualiBooth Portal and assigned to user accounts.
Q: Can I try Agora before purchasing?
A: Contact QualiBooth sales for trial license availability. Trial terms vary based on organization needs and requirements.
Q: What happens if my license expires?
A:
- Agora License Expiry: You cannot use Agora until license is renewed
- AI License Expiry: Basic scanning continues, but AI features become unavailable
- Grace Period: Limited grace period may be available for license renewal
Q: Can licenses be shared between users?
A: No, each user requires their own individual license. Licenses are tied to specific user accounts and cannot be shared or transferred.
Installation and Setup
System Requirements
Q: What are the minimum system requirements?
A:
- Operating System: Windows 10+ or macOS 10.14+
- Memory: 4GB RAM minimum, 8GB recommended
- Storage: 500MB available disk space
- Network: Internet connection for licensing and AI features
- Browser: Modern Chromium engine (included with application)
Q: Can I install Agora on multiple computers?
A: Yes, you can install Agora on multiple computers, but you need a license for each user. The same user can use their license on multiple devices.
Q: Does Agora work behind corporate firewalls?
A: Yes, but you may need to configure:
- Proxy settings for internet access
- Firewall exceptions for
*.qualibooth.comdomains - SSL certificate handling for corporate certificates
Authentication and Organizations
Q: How do I join an organization in Agora?
A: Organization membership is managed through the QualiBooth Portal:
- Your organization administrator must invite you
- You'll receive an email invitation to join
- Complete the invitation process in the portal
- Your access will be available in Agora after authentication
Q: Can I belong to multiple organizations?
A: Yes, users can be members of multiple organizations. Use the organization selector in Agora to switch between organizations and their respective websites.
Accessibility Testing
Scanning and Results
Q: How accurate are Agora's accessibility scans?
A: Agora uses the axe-core engine, which is highly accurate for automated testing:
- Low false positives: Reliable violation detection
- Industry standard: Used by major organizations worldwide
- Comprehensive coverage: Tests hundreds of accessibility rules
- Regular updates: Rule sets updated for latest WCAG guidelines
However, automated testing cannot catch all accessibility issues. Manual testing is still necessary for complete accessibility validation.
Q: How long does it take to scan a website?
A: Scanning time depends on several factors:
- Number of pages: More pages take longer
- Page complexity: JavaScript-heavy sites take more time
- Network speed: Faster connections reduce scan time
- System resources: More powerful systems scan faster
Typical scanning speeds:
- Single page: 10-30 seconds
- Small website (10-20 pages): 5-15 minutes
- Large website (100+ pages): 30 minutes to several hours
Q: Can I scan password-protected or internal websites?
A: Yes, Agora supports various authentication methods:
- Basic Authentication: Username/password for HTTP basic auth
- Form-based Login: Configure automated login for form authentication
- Network Access: Internal websites accessible from your network
Q: What WCAG standards does Agora test against?
A: Agora supports multiple WCAG standards:
- WCAG 2.1 AA: Standard compliance level for most organizations
- WCAG 2.x AAA: Enhanced compliance for specialized requirements
- WCAG 2.2: Latest accessibility guidelines with new success criteria
Understanding Results
Q: What do accessibility scores mean?
A: Agora calculates scores from 0-100 based on violation severity:
- 85-100: Good, with minor issues
- 60-85: Significant accessibility problems
- Below 60: Poor accessibility — major barriers for users with disabilities.
Scores consider both the number and severity of violations found.
Q: Why do some violations seem incorrect?
A: Automated testing has limitations:
- Context matters: Tools can't understand content context
- Complex interactions: Some patterns require manual verification
- Custom widgets: Unique implementations may trigger false positives
- Dynamic content: State-dependent content might be missed
Always review violations manually and consider the user experience context.
Q: How should I prioritize fixing violations?
A: Focus on violations in this order:
- Critical: Block users from accessing or using a significant portion of the website
- High: significantly hinder user experience and may prevent users from completing specific tasks
- Medium: Impact the user experience and cause frustration or require additional effort to use the website
- Low: Best practice improvements
Also consider:
- User impact: How many users are affected
- Page importance: Critical pages vs. secondary content
- Fix complexity: Easy wins vs. major refactoring efforts
AI Features
Screen Reader Simulation
Q: How accurate is the AI screen reader simulation?
A: The AI simulation provides valuable insights but has limitations:
What it captures well:
- Basic navigation patterns and reading order
- Content structure and accessibility attributes
- Common interaction patterns
- ARIA label and description effectiveness
What it cannot fully replicate:
- User preferences and customizations
- Specific screen reader software differences
- Experienced user navigation patterns
- Nuanced content comprehension
Use AI insights to guide manual testing with real screen readers.
Q: Do I need an AI license for all features?
A: AI license is only required for:
- Screen reader simulation
- AI-powered accessibility attribute analysis
- Advanced AI insights and recommendations
Basic scanning, reporting, and browser view work with just a Agora license.
Reporting and Integration
Reports and Exports
Q: What report formats are available?
A: Agora supports multiple export formats:
- PDF Reports: Professional reports for stakeholders and compliance
- CSV Exports: Spreadsheet data for analysis and tracking
Each format serves different purposes depending on your audience and needs.
Best Practices
Testing Strategy
Q: How often should I scan my websites?
A: Scanning frequency depends on your situation:
- During development: After each significant change
- Production monitoring: Weekly or monthly scans
- Compliance audits: Before compliance deadlines
- Content updates: After major content changes
Q: Should I scan my entire website or just key pages?
A: Start with a strategic approach:
- Begin with key pages: Homepage, main navigation, key user flows
- Expand gradually: Add more pages as you address initial issues
- Full site scanning: Once you have good accessibility practices
- Ongoing monitoring: Regular scans of critical pages
Q: How do I get my team to act on accessibility findings?
A: Effective strategies include:
- Education: Train team on accessibility importance
- Clear prioritization: Focus on critical issues first
- Actionable reports: Provide specific fix guidance
- Integration: Include accessibility in development workflow
- Metrics: Track improvement over time
- Stakeholder buy-in: Show business impact and compliance benefits
Compliance and Legal
Q: Does passing Agora scans guarantee WCAG compliance?
A: No automated tool can guarantee complete compliance. Agora identifies many accessibility issues, but:
- Manual testing is required: Some issues need human evaluation
- User testing is valuable: Include users with disabilities in testing
- Context matters: Technical compliance doesn't always equal usability
- Continuous process: Accessibility is ongoing, not a one-time check
Q: Can I use Agora reports for legal compliance?
A: Agora reports can support compliance efforts by:
- Documenting testing: Showing due diligence in accessibility testing
- Tracking progress: Demonstrating ongoing improvement efforts
- Identifying issues: Finding problems before they become legal issues
- Best practices: Following industry standards for accessibility
However, consult legal counsel for specific compliance requirements.
Troubleshooting
Common Issues
Q: Why won't my scans start?
A: Common causes and solutions:
- URL issues: Verify URL is correct and accessible
- Network problems: Check internet connectivity
- Authentication: Configure login for protected sites
- Settings: Review scanning configuration settings
Q: Why is Agora running slowly?
A: Performance can be improved by:
- Reducing concurrent scans: Lower the number of simultaneous operations
- Using headless mode: Faster scanning without visual browser
- Clearing old data: Remove unnecessary scan history
- System resources: Close other applications to free memory
Q: What should I do if I get inconsistent results?
A: For consistent results:
- Use same settings: Ensure consistent scanning configuration
- Account for dynamic content: Some pages change based on time/user
- Check network conditions: Variable network can affect results
- Wait for full loading: Ensure pages fully load before scanning
Getting Help
Support Resources
Q: Where can I find more help?
A: Multiple support resources are available:
- Documentation: Comprehensive guides and tutorials
- QualiBooth Portal: Submit support tickets and access resources
- System diagnostics: Built-in tools for troubleshooting
- Log files: Detailed information for technical support
Q: How do I report bugs or request features?
A: Use the QualiBooth Portal to:
- Submit detailed bug reports with steps to reproduce
- Request new features with business justification
- Provide feedback on existing functionality
- Access community discussions and feature requests
Q: Is training available for Agora?
A: Training options may include:
- Documentation: Self-service learning materials
- Video tutorials: Step-by-step guidance for common tasks
- Webinars: Group training sessions on specific topics
- Custom training: Organization-specific training programs
Contact QualiBooth for current training availability and options.
Still have questions? Check the Troubleshooting guide or contact support through the QualiBooth Portal.