App Accessibility: Why It Is Important In Mobile App Development

Many people today use apps to accomplish a variety of tasks. We listen to music, watch movies, and study on our cell phones, too.

It is clear that in the fast-growing world of technology and smartphone use, in particular, we spend much time using apps. Because these devices are so common in many parts of society today, it's important that they are accessible to everyone.

The Definition of Mobile App Accessibility and Why It Is Important

Mobile app accessibility basically means that "all people – regardless of ability – can use mobile devices."

People who are blind or otherwise visually impaired may need apps with features such as text-to-speech (which reads out loud). Those with motor challenges may need apps that allow them to create their own shortcuts for commonly used tasks or those with hearing impairment may need apps that use vibration as feedback.

To understand this a bit more, let's think about how we interact with a particular app on our smartphones.

For example, a user opens a map app and enters the name of an address they want to go to. The text then appears in real-time as the user is driving. In addition, the app may provide a GPS function that provides turn-by-turn directions that are audible to the driver.

In this case, an individual who can't see or read could be completely dependent on what sounds might tell them about their surroundings and how to get to a destination safely.

Mobile App Development: The Benefits of Having an Accessible App

When it comes to mobile app development, it isn't just the people who have challenges that benefit from an accessible app. Everyone can use your app more easily, which means they are more likely to keep using it!

Here are some of the benefits:

● The app is easier to learn.

● It's quicker and less frustrating for users.

● There's no need to worry about needing supplemental information on how to use the app or having to hire someone to come up with one.

● You can create an app that is more welcoming for all people, making it more likely users will return again and again.

● The app increases overall usability, which makes the user experience more positive.

That's why mobile app accessibility is so important – not just for people with challenges, but also for everyone. From the person who is visually impaired to the elderly person using an app on their mobile phone or tablet, everyone can benefit from having apps that are accessible.

Quick Mobile App Accessibility Checklist

In order to avoid creating an app that is difficult or impossible for some people to use, it's a good idea to check if your app meets the following guidelines:

● Licenses and supports voice input.

● Supports touch screen gestures.

● Gives haptic feedback when performing actions within the app.

● Is compatible with external screen readers.

● Uses plain language, including avoiding technical jargon.

● Supports keyboard shortcuts.

● Includes descriptive headings.

● Provides unique page identifiers within the app.

● Provides text-to-speech functionality.

● Uses high contrast (for example, black text on a white background).

● Includes alternate content for images or videos (descriptions of the image or video).

● Includes alternative texts to icons and symbols wherever possible. For example, using a stop sign rather than an image of a stop sign.

15 Simple Tips for Designing an Accessible Mobile App

1. Ensure that your app is compatible with Apple's VoiceOver feature (turned on by default) for iOS devices.
2. Provide the same functionality to users regardless of how they control their device – whether it's through touch, keyboard, or other means.
3. For every screen within the app, provide a unique identifier such as color, letter, or series of characters. This will help users who can't see or read discern where they are within the app and what action to take next.
4. When describing images, provide a description that is as detailed as possible – for example, if an image shows a map with two roads intersecting in the middle, describe the image as "a map with two roads intersecting in the middle".
5. Ensure that your app provides text-to-speech functionality when someone opens it. This way, they can get an idea of what their current location is and how to use the app before using their device in public or speaking with someone.
6. For every action performed within the app, provide haptic or sound feedback that can be felt or heard.
7. Make sure that your app is compatible with Android's Talkback feature (turned on by default) for all devices using operating system version 2.3 and higher.
8. Explore how you might modify the content so it meets WCAG guidelines for people who have limited vision or reading ability – for example, changing a logo to a symbol with the same meaning.
9. Consider how you might use color and images in your app to help someone who is visually impaired – for example, placing images next to text instead of using them as an image on its own screen.
10. Make your app compatible with touch-to-zoom functionality for people who have motor skill disabilities. This will allow them to increase the size of text or images by touching their screen and then zoom in or out using two fingers.
11. If your app doesn't include a keyboard, make sure the text is large enough to be able to be read without needing to zoom in.
12. If possible, add voice-to-text functionality when someone types in text. This will allow them to dictate what they want to add into the app instead of typing it out themselves.
13. Add a button that allows someone to customize the app's features based on their needs.
14. Create an accompanying website for your app so people using other devices can access it more easily.
15. Make sure you have a detailed account of how to use your app, including how to navigate from one screen to another and what prompts or sounds to expect.

Conclusion

Mobile app development is an industry that changed the way the entire world interacts with each other and does business. However, it's important that developers take accessibility into consideration in order for everyone to be able to use their products regardless of ability.