Mobile apps are becoming more popular and diverse, but not all of them are easy to use for people with disabilities. Accessibility is not only a legal requirement, but also a way to reach a wider audience and improve user satisfaction. In this article, you will learn some basic principles and best practices to make your mobile app accessible to users with disabilities.
Mobile accessibility means that your app can be used by people with different types of impairments, such as visual, auditory, cognitive, or motor. Mobile accessibility also means that your app can adapt to different devices, screen sizes, orientations, and input methods. Mobile accessibility is based on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), which provide a set of standards and criteria for creating accessible web content.
Mobile accessibility guidelines are applicable to apps and websites designed for mobile devices. Adopting these guidelines make the apps and websites more accessible to people with disabilities and devices with certain limitations or specificities. For example, not every mobile phone has a touchscreen. Is it possible to interact with the app using a remote control device, speech input? Is the UI usable under bright sunlight? The more devices with different characteristics you support the broader audience will you reach: ? phones ? tablets ? TV boxes ? car consoles ? airplane seatbacks ? wearables
Mobile accessibility means that your app can be used by people with different types of impairments, such as visual, auditory, cognitive, or motor. Mobile accessibility also means that your app can adapt to different devices, screen sizes, orientations, and input methods.
Mobile accessibility is important for several reasons. First, it is a matter of social responsibility and inclusion, as you want to ensure that your app does not exclude or discriminate anyone based on their abilities. Second, it is a matter of legal compliance, as you may face lawsuits or penalties if your app does not meet the accessibility requirements of your target market. Third, it is a matter of business opportunity, as you can reach a larger and more loyal customer base, as well as enhance your reputation and brand image.
Testing your mobile app for accessibility is a must to identify and fix any issues that may prevent your users from accessing your app. Automated tools, such as Accessibility Scanner, axe, or WAVE, can scan your app and detect common accessibility errors. Manual testing also involves checking your app manually using different devices, screen readers, magnifiers, or other assistive technologies. Additionally, you can invite real users with disabilities to test your app and provide feedback on their experience, challenges, and suggestions. You can even use online platforms like UserTesting or UserZoom to recruit and conduct user testing remotely.
Asking real users to test your app on real devices is highly recommended. They can not only spot accessibility issues, but also propose UX improvements, which are not obvious from the developer’s perspective. There is a connection between accessibility and user friendliness. For example, a high-contrast UI with large buttons can benefit all users, especially with small screens, under bright sunlight or low light conditions.
Designing your mobile app for accessibility requires that you consider the needs and preferences of users with disabilities from the beginning. This means following some general principles and guidelines, such as making sure content and interface can be perceived by all users, regardless of their sensory abilities (e.g. providing alternative text for images, captions for videos, and audio descriptions for animations). Additionally, ensure that the app's functionality and navigation can be operated by all users, regardless of their physical abilities (e.g. providing large and clear buttons, keyboard shortcuts, and gesture alternatives). Furthermore, make sure the app's information and feedback can be understood by all users, regardless of their cognitive abilities (e.g. using simple language, consistent layout, and helpful error messages). Lastly, make sure the app's compatibility and performance can be maintained by all users, regardless of their device or assistive technology (e.g. using responsive design, following coding standards, and testing regularly).
Developing your mobile app for accessibility involves implementing design principles and guidelines using the appropriate tools and techniques. For instance, HTML should be used with semantic and valid elements and attributes to structure the content and interface. CSS should be employed to style the appearance and layout, with relative units such as em or rem to adjust font size and color contrast ratios for readability. JavaScript can be used to enhance the functionality and interactivity, such as event listeners for user input, timers and animations sparingly, and dynamic content updates for changes. Additionally, native development tools and frameworks should be used to create the app for specific platforms, with Xcode or Android Studio accessing native accessibility features and APIs, and Swift or Kotlin writing the code.
Maintaining your mobile app for accessibility requires ongoing monitoring and improvement, as you update, modify, or add new features or content. To achieve this, you should document your app's accessibility goals, strategies, and achievements, as well as any issues or feedback that you encounter or receive. You can use tools such as Google Docs or Trello to create and share this documentation. Additionally, regular and systematic evaluations of your app's accessibility should be conducted using the testing methods and tools of your choice. Google Analytics or Firebase can be used to measure and analyze your app's usage and performance. Finally, the necessary changes or enhancements to your app's accessibility should be implemented based on your evaluation results and user feedback. GitHub or Bitbucket can be used to manage and track your app's development and versioning.
This topic can improve your reputation if you do it right, but it can also seriously damage your reputation if you overlook a key point. This is especially relevant if you claim your service is inclusive. Accessibility matters not only in the app or website. If you provide technical support, instruct the support team how to assist users with disabilities. If you publish user guides and documentation, make sure to enable universal accessibility features.