What are the best practices for measuring mobile accessibility impact on user experience?

1 Why measure mobile accessibility impact?

Measuring mobile accessibility impact is important for several reasons. First, it helps you identify and address any accessibility issues or barriers that may affect your users. Second, it helps you demonstrate the value and benefits of mobile accessibility for your business, such as increased user satisfaction, loyalty, retention, and conversion. Third, it helps you comply with accessibility standards and regulations, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

2 What to measure for mobile accessibility impact?

There are different aspects of mobile accessibility impact that can be measured based on one’s goals and objectives. Compliance, quality, and outcomes are the three common ones. Accessibility compliance measures how well your mobile application or website meets the accessibility criteria and requirements of the relevant standards and regulations, and this can be evaluated through automated tools, manual testing, and user feedback. Accessibility quality looks into how well your mobile application or website delivers a positive and consistent user experience for people with different types of disabilities, which can be assessed through user testing, surveys, interviews, and analytics. Lastly, accessibility outcomes measure how mobile accessibility affects your business performance and results such as user engagement, retention, conversion, revenue, and reputation. Metrics, indicators, and benchmarks can be used to measure your accessibility outcomes in comparison to your goals and expectations.

3 How to measure mobile accessibility impact?

To measure mobile accessibility impact, there are various methods and tools you can use, depending on what you want to measure and how. Automated tools are software applications or plugins that can scan your mobile application or website and generate reports on your accessibility compliance and quality. However, they cannot capture all the aspects of accessibility, so manual testing and user testing should be used in conjunction. Manual testing is the process of checking your mobile application or website manually for accessibility issues or barriers, using different devices, browsers, and assistive technologies. User testing involves observing and evaluating how real users with different types of disabilities use your mobile application or website. You can also use qualitative and quantitative methods such as surveys, interviews, and analytics to analyze user testing data and measure user experience and satisfaction.

4 How to improve mobile accessibility impact?

Measuring mobile accessibility impact is not enough; you need to use the data and insights collected to improve your mobile accessibility and user experience. You should prioritize and fix the most critical and frequent accessibility issues, as well as implement and follow the best practices and guidelines for mobile design and development. Regularly testing and iterating your mobile application or website with different methods and tools is essential for ensuring that your accessibility is maintained and enhanced. Additionally, communicating and collaborating with your users, stakeholders, and partners can provide feedback, suggestions, and support for your mobile accessibility efforts.

5 How to report mobile accessibility impact?

Reporting mobile accessibility impact is the final step of measuring and improving your mobile accessibility and user experience. This process involves presenting and sharing your accessibility data and insights with your audience, such as users, customers, clients, managers, or regulators. Doing so can help you demonstrate your mobile accessibility value and benefits, showcase your achievements, justify investments, and advocate for your vision. To report mobile accessibility impact effectively, you should define your report purpose and audience, use clear language and visuals to explain your data and insights, highlight key findings and recommendations, provide action steps and follow-up plans, and seek feedback from your audience.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?