How can you make your mobile app's UI accessible to screen readers?

1 Use semantic and descriptive labels

One of the most important aspects of making your mobile app's UI accessible to screen readers is to use semantic and descriptive labels for your elements. Semantic labels indicate the role and function of each element, such as buttons, links, menus, or headings. Descriptive labels provide additional information or context for each element, such as names, titles, or captions. You should use the native accessibility features of your platform or framework to assign semantic and descriptive labels to your elements, such as the accessibilityLabel property in iOS or the contentDescription attribute in Android.

2 Provide clear and consistent navigation

Another key aspect of making your mobile app's UI accessible to screen readers is to provide clear and consistent navigation. Navigation refers to how users can move through your app's screens, menus, and content using gestures, keyboard, or other input methods. You should ensure that your navigation is logical, intuitive, and predictable, and that it follows the conventions and expectations of your platform or framework. You should also avoid creating complex or nested navigation structures that can confuse or frustrate screen reader users. You can use accessibility features such as accessibilityTraits in iOS or accessibilityRole in Android to indicate the navigation options and states of your elements.

3 Avoid unnecessary or redundant content

A third aspect of making your mobile app's UI accessible to screen readers is to avoid unnecessary or redundant content. Unnecessary or redundant content refers to any element or information that does not add value or meaning to your app's functionality or purpose, or that repeats or contradicts what is already available. You should remove or hide any unnecessary or redundant content from your app's UI, such as decorative images, icons, or text, or use accessibility features such as isAccessibilityElement in iOS or importantForAccessibility in Android to exclude them from the screen reader's output.

4 Use appropriate contrast and color

A fourth aspect of making your mobile app's UI accessible to screen readers is to use appropriate contrast and color. Contrast and color refer to how well your elements stand out from the background and from each other, and how they convey meaning or emotion. You should use high contrast and color combinations that are easy to see and distinguish, and that do not rely on color alone to communicate information or functionality. You should also consider how your contrast and color choices affect different types of color vision deficiencies, such as red-green or blue-yellow blindness. You can use tools such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) contrast ratio calculator to check your contrast and color levels.

5 Test and evaluate your app's UI

A fifth and final aspect of making your mobile app's UI accessible to screen readers is to test and evaluate your app's UI. Testing and evaluating refer to how you can check and improve your app's UI for screen reader accessibility, by using different methods and tools. You should test and evaluate your app's UI throughout the development process, and not as an afterthought or a final step. You should use a combination of automated and manual testing, such as using accessibility checkers, simulators, or emulators, as well as real devices and screen readers. You should also involve real users with different levels of visual impairments, and collect their feedback and suggestions.