Liberologic Co., Ltd. Releases New Tool "A11y Navigation Auditor" to Support Web Accessibility Confirmation
Liberologic Co., Ltd. has released "A11y Navigation Auditor," a Google Chrome extension that quickly and accurately visualizes website structures to support web accessibility confirmation. This tool addresses the growing interest in web accessibility following the April 2024 revision of Japan's Act on the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 12, 2026 at 18:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 12, 2026 at 09:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 12, 2026 at 09:49 (17 min after Collected)
Liberologic Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Tokyo, hereinafter Liberologic) has released "A11y Navigation Auditor," a Google Chrome extension that quickly and accurately visualizes website structures, as the second tool in its web accessibility awareness and support series.
This tool comprehensively extracts often-overlooked markup deficiencies in a "side panel," enabling faster and more reliable accessibility diagnostics.
Background of Development: Resolving the "Complexity" and "Fragmentation" of Existing Tools
Interest in web accessibility has rapidly increased since the revised Act on the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities came into effect in April 2024 (mandating reasonable accommodation). However, on-site diagnostics still faced challenges.
Information Fragmentation: Tools needed to be switched for each category, such as headings and landmarks, making it difficult to grasp the overall page structure.
Reduced Visibility: Tools that directly overlay markers on the page become cluttered when elements are dense, hindering an overview diagnosis.
To bridge these gaps, we focused on the "Rotor function" (element list display) of screen readers (e.g., VoiceOver). By consolidating and visualizing the element list in a side panel and adding automatic problem detection, we developed a professional diagnostic tool that allows users to "identify detailed problems while surveying the overall picture."
Key Features of "A11y Navigation Auditor"
1. WCAG-Compliant Automatic Problem Detection
Based on WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) success criteria (1.1.1, 1.3.1, 2.4.4, etc.), the following items are judged in three stages: "Error / Warning / Information."
- Headings: Skipped levels, empty headings, missing roles, etc.
- Links: Unclear expressions (e.g., "click here"), empty text, duplicate links, etc.
- Form Controls: Missing labels, autocomplete attributes, error message associations, etc.
- Landmarks: Missing main elements, distinguishing duplicate roles, deficiencies in sectioning elements, etc.
- Images: Missing alt attributes, inappropriate alt text (e.g., "image"), etc.
- Tables: Missing captions or headers, deficiencies in scope/headers for complex structures, etc.
2. Visualization of Computed "Accessible Name"
Based on ARIA specifications, it visualizes what screen readers actually read aloud, including the derivation source of the accessible name.
3. Real-time Monitoring of ARIA States
Automatically detects changes in aria-expanded (expanded state) and aria-invalid (error state), as well as dynamic label rewrites. Users can instantly confirm changes in accessibility accompanying user operations.
4. Intuitive Operation and Highlight Function
Clicking an item in the panel (or moving the cursor with the keyboard) automatically scrolls to the corresponding element and highlights it.
Advanced Settings for Professionals
- Inspection of Hidden Elements: Accessibility of hidden elements can also be checked as needed.
- Exclusion of Noise: Third-party widgets, etc., are automatically excluded from diagnostic targets.
- Japanese/English Bilingual Support: Provides interfaces in both Japanese and English.
Download A11y Navigation Auditor here:
A11y Navigation Auditor - Chrome Web Store
Liberologic Co., Ltd. aims to make accessibility "standard quality" rather than a "special measure." Following the first contrast checker tool, "Area Contrast Checker," this "A11y Navigation Auditor" also embodies the functions we desperately needed in the field of production and diagnostics.
It strongly supports website creation where everyone, regardless of disability, can reach their destination without hesitation.
About Supervision
This tool was developed with an emphasis on practicality required in the field of web accessibility diagnostics, under the supervision of our staff who are IAAP certified WAS (Web Accessibility Specialist) holders.
It is a tool developed to quickly and accurately visualize the "framework" of a website and smoothly approach often-overlooked problems, thereby achieving more reliable accessibility diagnostics.
Supervisor Profile
Ayumu Futamata
CAO (Chief Accessibility Officer), Liberologic Co., Ltd.
Web Accessibility Specialist
This tool comprehensively extracts often-overlooked markup deficiencies in a "side panel," enabling faster and more reliable accessibility diagnostics.
Background of Development: Resolving the "Complexity" and "Fragmentation" of Existing Tools
Interest in web accessibility has rapidly increased since the revised Act on the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities came into effect in April 2024 (mandating reasonable accommodation). However, on-site diagnostics still faced challenges.
Information Fragmentation: Tools needed to be switched for each category, such as headings and landmarks, making it difficult to grasp the overall page structure.
Reduced Visibility: Tools that directly overlay markers on the page become cluttered when elements are dense, hindering an overview diagnosis.
To bridge these gaps, we focused on the "Rotor function" (element list display) of screen readers (e.g., VoiceOver). By consolidating and visualizing the element list in a side panel and adding automatic problem detection, we developed a professional diagnostic tool that allows users to "identify detailed problems while surveying the overall picture."
Key Features of "A11y Navigation Auditor"
1. WCAG-Compliant Automatic Problem Detection
Based on WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) success criteria (1.1.1, 1.3.1, 2.4.4, etc.), the following items are judged in three stages: "Error / Warning / Information."
- Headings: Skipped levels, empty headings, missing roles, etc.
- Links: Unclear expressions (e.g., "click here"), empty text, duplicate links, etc.
- Form Controls: Missing labels, autocomplete attributes, error message associations, etc.
- Landmarks: Missing main elements, distinguishing duplicate roles, deficiencies in sectioning elements, etc.
- Images: Missing alt attributes, inappropriate alt text (e.g., "image"), etc.
- Tables: Missing captions or headers, deficiencies in scope/headers for complex structures, etc.
2. Visualization of Computed "Accessible Name"
Based on ARIA specifications, it visualizes what screen readers actually read aloud, including the derivation source of the accessible name.
3. Real-time Monitoring of ARIA States
Automatically detects changes in aria-expanded (expanded state) and aria-invalid (error state), as well as dynamic label rewrites. Users can instantly confirm changes in accessibility accompanying user operations.
4. Intuitive Operation and Highlight Function
Clicking an item in the panel (or moving the cursor with the keyboard) automatically scrolls to the corresponding element and highlights it.
Advanced Settings for Professionals
- Inspection of Hidden Elements: Accessibility of hidden elements can also be checked as needed.
- Exclusion of Noise: Third-party widgets, etc., are automatically excluded from diagnostic targets.
- Japanese/English Bilingual Support: Provides interfaces in both Japanese and English.
Download A11y Navigation Auditor here:
A11y Navigation Auditor - Chrome Web Store
Liberologic Co., Ltd. aims to make accessibility "standard quality" rather than a "special measure." Following the first contrast checker tool, "Area Contrast Checker," this "A11y Navigation Auditor" also embodies the functions we desperately needed in the field of production and diagnostics.
It strongly supports website creation where everyone, regardless of disability, can reach their destination without hesitation.
About Supervision
This tool was developed with an emphasis on practicality required in the field of web accessibility diagnostics, under the supervision of our staff who are IAAP certified WAS (Web Accessibility Specialist) holders.
It is a tool developed to quickly and accurately visualize the "framework" of a website and smoothly approach often-overlooked problems, thereby achieving more reliable accessibility diagnostics.
Supervisor Profile
Ayumu Futamata
CAO (Chief Accessibility Officer), Liberologic Co., Ltd.
Web Accessibility Specialist