Embracing accessibility in mobile apps is not just about inclusivity—it’s about transforming user experiences and expanding your app’s reach. Ensuring your app prioritises accessibility guarantees it delivers a valuable and inclusive product. This guide delves into the critical aspects of creating accessible mobile apps, effective techniques for implementation, and navigating essential legal frameworks.
Understanding Mobile App Accessibility
Mobile app accessibility ensures apps are designed and developed to support users with disabilities, enabling them to navigate and interact effectively. In Australia, about 4.4 million adults live with some form of disability, which is roughly 18% of the population. The Disability Discrimination Act of 1992 prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities and requires organisations to make reasonable accommodations. This law applies to websites and mobile apps, ensuring they are accessible to all users. The Australian Human Rights Commission recommends conforming to WCAG Level AA to meet these legal requirements and improve accessibility.
Accessibility Guidelines for Mobile Apps
Accessibility guidelines for mobile apps were introduced in WCAG 2.1 in June 2018, adding seventeen new success criteria for mobile accessibility. These guidelines help make apps usable for people with various disabilities on devices like:
- Smartphones (Android and iOS)
- Tablets
- Wearable devices (smartwatches)
- Digital TVs
- Devices in household appliances, car dashboards, or aeroplane seatbacks
- “Internet of Things” (IoT) devices like smart speakers and cameras
WCAG 2.1 addresses mobile accessibility issues such as small screen sizes, screen orientation, colour contrast, text spacing, and keyboard navigation. WCAG 2.2 introduced nine more success criteria, including recommendations for touch targets, responsive design, and gestures to improve accessibility for users with cognitive, visual, physical, and learning disabilities.
The Value of Accessibility
Integrating accessibility into your mobile app isn’t just about meeting legal requirements; it’s a strategic business decision that offers numerous benefits:
Expanded Audience Reach
By making your app accessible, you include users with disabilities, capturing a significant portion of the market. In Australia, this means potentially reaching 4.4 million additional users.
Enhanced User Experience
Accessibility features such as improved navigation, readability, and interaction methods make your app more user-friendly for everyone, not just those with disabilities. This leads to higher user satisfaction and retention.
Positive Brand Reputation
Businesses that prioritise accessibility are seen as inclusive and socially responsible. This can boost your brand’s reputation, leading to increased customer loyalty and positive word-of-mouth.
Improved SEO
Accessible web apps often perform better in search engine rankings. Features like proper alt text for images and logical content hierarchy improve your app’s visibility, driving more organic traffic.
Legal Compliance
Adhering to accessibility standards helps you avoid legal issues and ensures your app complies with the Disability Discrimination Act of 1992. This reduces the risk of lawsuits and demand letters, protecting your business from potential legal challenges.
Monetisation Strategy
Accessibility can also be a valuable monetisation strategy. Apps that are accessible to a wider audience have the potential to attract more users, increase engagement, and enhance conversion rates for premium features or in-app purchases. For example, apps offering subscription services, digital content, or premium functionalities can benefit from an accessible design that encourages more users to adopt and pay for these features.
Innovation and Inclusivity
Embracing accessibility encourages innovation and inclusivity within your development team. It fosters a culture of empathy and understanding, driving the creation of products that cater to diverse user needs.
Four Principles to Achieve WCAG Conformance on Mobile Apps
To ensure your mobile apps are accessible, follow these four principles:
1. Perceivable
Content should be perceivable to users, with appropriate screen size ratios, good colour contrast, and zoom functionalities.
2. Operable
Apps should be usable by people with disabilities, featuring touchscreen-compatible keyboards and alternative gestures.
3. Understandable
Users should understand how to navigate and customise the app, with a clean layout, clear calls-to-action (CTAs), and grouped elements.
4. Robust
The app should perform well across different devices and operating systems.
Ensure your mobile apps meet WCAG conformance levels, aiming for Level A and AA requirements as the minimum standards for accessibility.
Mobile App Accessibility Checklist
Take advantage of this handy checklist to get you started on aligning with WCAG standards. Keep in mind, these steps won’t ensure full compliance—further testing is recommended.
Screen Sizes
Optimise your app for various screen sizes by maintaining minimal content, using reasonable text sizes, and adjusting form fields accordingly.
Colour Contrast
Ensure text maintains a colour contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text. Utilise a colour contrast checker to verify compliance.
App Gestures
Simplify gestures such as taps or swipes to accommodate users with physical disabilities.
Layout Consistency
Maintain consistency in layout elements like contact information and headers to facilitate easy navigation.
Text and Font Size
Allow users to adjust text size without disrupting the app’s layout or readability.
Alternative Text
Provide descriptive alt text for all images to offer context for users with visual impairments.
Headings
Use clear headings to establish a logical content hierarchy and guide users through the app’s interface.
Target Size
Ensure touch targets such as buttons and links are appropriately sized and spaced to enhance usability for all users.
Test Screen Reader Compatibility
Conduct thorough testing to ensure your app is compatible with screen readers and other assistive technologies, ensuring all users can interact effectively with your app.
Conclusion
Creating an accessible mobile app isn’t simply a regulatory checkbox—it’s a transformative step towards fostering digital inclusivity and enriching user experiences across the board. Prioritising accessibility not only expands your app’s reach to a diverse audience but also enhances user satisfaction and builds a stronger brand reputation. Beyond regulatory benefits, accessibility fuels innovation by encouraging developers to think creatively about inclusive design. Embracing these principles not only meets legal standards but also future-proofs your app against evolving accessibility expectations. By championing accessibility, businesses can lead the way in creating digital environments that empower every user, ensuring lasting impact and positive engagement in an increasingly inclusive digital landscape.
DreamWalk is an award-winning Australian app development company. We pride ourselves on our ethical and transparent app development process and operate by our unique Ethical App Development Charter. To learn more about us and the work we do, head to www.dreamwalk.com.au.
About the Author
Karl Graf is an award-winning app designer and Managing Director of DreamWalk. Karl has helped hundreds of businesses and startups plan, design, develop and launch successful apps.Got an app idea?
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