How can you make your mobile app accessible to users with disabilities?

1 What is mobile accessibility?

Mobile accessibility means that your app can be used by people with different types of impairments, such as visual, auditory, cognitive, or motor. Mobile accessibility also means that your app can adapt to different devices, screen sizes, orientations, and input methods. Mobile accessibility is based on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), which provide a set of standards and criteria for creating accessible web content.

2 Why is mobile accessibility important?

Mobile accessibility is important for several reasons. First, it is a matter of social responsibility and inclusion, as you want to ensure that your app does not exclude or discriminate anyone based on their abilities. Second, it is a matter of legal compliance, as you may face lawsuits or penalties if your app does not meet the accessibility requirements of your target market. Third, it is a matter of business opportunity, as you can reach a larger and more loyal customer base, as well as enhance your reputation and brand image.

4 How to design your mobile app for accessibility?

Designing your mobile app for accessibility requires that you consider the needs and preferences of users with disabilities from the beginning. This means following some general principles and guidelines, such as making sure content and interface can be perceived by all users, regardless of their sensory abilities (e.g. providing alternative text for images, captions for videos, and audio descriptions for animations). Additionally, ensure that the app's functionality and navigation can be operated by all users, regardless of their physical abilities (e.g. providing large and clear buttons, keyboard shortcuts, and gesture alternatives). Furthermore, make sure the app's information and feedback can be understood by all users, regardless of their cognitive abilities (e.g. using simple language, consistent layout, and helpful error messages). Lastly, make sure the app's compatibility and performance can be maintained by all users, regardless of their device or assistive technology (e.g. using responsive design, following coding standards, and testing regularly).

5 How to develop your mobile app for accessibility?

Developing your mobile app for accessibility involves implementing design principles and guidelines using the appropriate tools and techniques. For instance, HTML should be used with semantic and valid elements and attributes to structure the content and interface. CSS should be employed to style the appearance and layout, with relative units such as em or rem to adjust font size and color contrast ratios for readability. JavaScript can be used to enhance the functionality and interactivity, such as event listeners for user input, timers and animations sparingly, and dynamic content updates for changes. Additionally, native development tools and frameworks should be used to create the app for specific platforms, with Xcode or Android Studio accessing native accessibility features and APIs, and Swift or Kotlin writing the code.

6 How to maintain your mobile app for accessibility?

Maintaining your mobile app for accessibility requires ongoing monitoring and improvement, as you update, modify, or add new features or content. To achieve this, you should document your app's accessibility goals, strategies, and achievements, as well as any issues or feedback that you encounter or receive. You can use tools such as Google Docs or Trello to create and share this documentation. Additionally, regular and systematic evaluations of your app's accessibility should be conducted using the testing methods and tools of your choice. Google Analytics or Firebase can be used to measure and analyze your app's usage and performance. Finally, the necessary changes or enhancements to your app's accessibility should be implemented based on your evaluation results and user feedback. GitHub or Bitbucket can be used to manage and track your app's development and versioning.