How can you make your app accessible and inclusive on all platforms and regions?

1 Use standard and consistent UI elements

One of the easiest ways to make your app accessible and inclusive is to use the native UI elements and components provided by the platform or framework you are using. These elements are designed to follow the platform's accessibility guidelines, support assistive technologies, and adapt to different screen sizes, orientations, and resolutions. They also provide a familiar and consistent user experience across apps, which reduces confusion and frustration for users. For example, use buttons, sliders, switches, and tabs instead of custom graphics or gestures that may not be recognizable or operable by all users.

2 Provide multiple input and output modes

Another way to make your app accessible and inclusive is to provide multiple input and output modes that cater to different user needs and preferences. For example, you can enable voice input and output, touch input and output, keyboard input and output, and gesture input and output. You can also use haptic feedback, vibration, sound, and visual cues to communicate information and feedback. By providing multiple input and output modes, you can ensure that your app can be used by people with different abilities, such as vision, hearing, motor, or cognitive impairments, as well as by people who are in different contexts, such as low-light, noisy, or hands-free situations.

5 Follow accessibility guidelines and standards

A fifth way to make your app accessible and inclusive is to follow accessibility guidelines and standards. Accessibility guidelines and standards are sets of recommendations and requirements that aim to improve the accessibility and usability of apps and websites for people with disabilities. They also provide best practices and principles for designing and developing accessible and inclusive apps and websites. By following accessibility guidelines and standards, you can ensure that your app complies with the legal and ethical obligations, as well as the quality and performance criteria, of the platform or framework you are using. For example, you can follow the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), the Android Accessibility Guidelines, or the iOS Accessibility Guidelines.

6 Learn from other apps and resources

A sixth way to make your app accessible and inclusive is to learn from other apps and resources. Learning from other apps and resources can help you gain inspiration, insight, and guidance on how to make your app more accessible and inclusive. You can also learn from the feedback, reviews, and ratings of other apps and users, as well as from the challenges, solutions, and innovations of other developers and designers. By learning from other apps and resources, you can improve your skills and knowledge, as well as discover new ideas and possibilities, for making your app more accessible and inclusive. For example, you can check out the Google Accessibility Showcase, the Apple Accessibility Apps, or the Microsoft Accessibility Features.

7 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?