Assessing accessibility in your mobile applications

What is mobile app accessibility?

Mobile app accessibility covers many areas. Simply put, it’s about how easy the app is to use and navigate for every user. It includes designing and developing a mobile app with functionality that allows people with disabilities to use it effectively.

There are specific mobile standards and guidelines for mobile app accessibility, including Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 2.5.7 and 2.5.8. WCAG has broader implications than just mobile usability. WCAG 2.5.7 and 2.5.8 do have some specifics about touch interactions. 

Overall, most mobile apps follow platform-specific guidelines, Human Interface Guidelines (HIG) from Apple and Google Material Design Accessibility Guidelines.

WCAG 2.5.7 and 2.5.8 explained

These two standards provide context on orientation flexibility and pointer gestures. These are critical for mobile ease of use by those with disabilities.

WCAG 2.5.7 states that all dragging movements for operation use a single pointer without dragging unless otherwise essential.

WCAG 2.5.8 defines the minimum target size for pointer inputs at 24 x 24 pixels. There are exceptions if the target is smaller. In this case, the 24 CSS pixel diameter circle should be centred on the bounding box of each, ensuring the circles don’t intersect.

This sizing makes it less compromising for some users who may find it difficult to target small controls within an app. It supports those with disabilities relating to fine motor skills or who have only one hand to use their device.

Apple HIGs and app accessibility

Apple has its own set of best practices for app accessibility with its HIGs. There’s an entire section on accessibility. It calls out VoiceOver as an assistive technology to consider. With this functionality, the app provides audible descriptions of content using spatial audio to communicate. To meet VoiceOver needs, the app should contain:

• Alternative descriptions for every image
• Concise descriptions for any interactive infographics on the screen

The HIG also suggests providing closed captions, audio descriptions and audio content for every interaction.

Another area of concentration is Dynamic Type. This allows users to choose the font size on the screen. When people increase the font size, the app should keep truncation to a minimum and adjust the layout when the type is larger.

The HIG suggests larger touch target sizes than WCAG at 44 x 44 pixels. It's best to follow their suggestions for the best mobile experiences. Those who have mobility challenges require a larger hit target for interaction. 

Google Material Design Accessibility Guidelines

Android has its own set of accessibility features, which are included in the Google Material Design Accessibility Guidelines. Some areas of interest include:

• TalkBack: This is Google’s screen reader, so apps should be compatible with its framework.
• Contrast ratios: These represent how different one colour is from another, written as a ratio (e.g., 1:1). The recommendation for large type is 3:1 against the background. For smaller text, it’s 4:5:1 against the background.
• Touch target size: Google also recommends a larger target size for mobile than WCAG at 48 x 48 pixels. For optimum usability, developers should follow this advice. 

Why do your mobile apps need consistent accessibility?

Laws and regulations are reason enough for mobile app accessibility. Failure to comply could result in legal action or noncompliance claims. It’s not the only factor that matters.

Greater accessibility also broadens the target audience for your mobile app. If more people can use it effectively, this leads to customer loyalty and retention.

Accessibility also aligns with UX (user experience). When you’re following accessibility best practices and rules, a natural result is collective improvements to UX.

Creating an accessible app could also be positive for your brand, demonstrating your commitment to inclusion and equity.

Whether you’re in the beginning of development or have an app in market, the best way to assess its accessibility is through auditing.

Assessing accessibility via audits

Evaluating the accessibility of your mobile app provides clear visibility into gaps and achievements. Having an expert organisation perform these for you ensures that every area gets a complete review. You can then take the findings and prioritise updates.

So, what should a mobile app accessibility audit include?

Overall, audits examine the app’s UI, content, and features and determine whether they are usable for people with impairments.

Here are some examples of an accessibility audit for mobile apps.

Screen reader testing

Screen readers are usable by those with vision impairments. In this test, verification of interactive elements, such as buttons, links and forms, occurs. Test on Apple’s screen reader VoiceOver and Android’s TalkBack.

This testing helps you find areas where labelling is missing or inaccurate so you can correct it.

Colour contrast testing

Those who suffer from colour blindness may have challenges with contrast. This evaluation reviews the ratio between text and background shades. The objective is to ensure it’s readable.

Tools for this include Contrast Checker or Accessibility Scanner for mobile apps.

App gesturing

Mobile apps rarely use complex pointer gestures. For the greatest usability, apps want to keep things simple. With gesturing testing, you’re looking at the ease of single-tap and swiping and ensuring there are alternatives for motor-impaired users, such as:

• Dwell-based interactions (i.e., hovering over an area for a set time)
• Voice commands
• Eye tracking
• Head movement controls
• Single-button presses

If there are multiple buttons in close proximity, tap gestures may be harder to execute. By looking at these components, you can ensure there's enough white space between buttons.

Testing across devices

iOS and Android have numerous differences, so it’s crucial to assess accessibility on each device type. Since iOS and Android have distinct guidelines, you’ll need to test to ensure you’re meeting both.

Testing screens of various sizes for phones and tablets is essential to understanding each's UX.

Is your mobile app accessible to all?

With 7.2 billion smartphone users globally and people spending 88% of mobile time on apps, accessibility expands your app audience. Ensuring that those with disabilities have a positive user experience matters considerably. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 16% of the population has a disability.

By improving usability, you could see higher user retention and satisfaction rates. Another benefit is that optimising for usability also leads to better app performance.

You can find all the gaps with a mobile app accessibility audit with our experts. We perform these with expertise and capabilities that include testing gestures, touch target sizes, device-specific compatibility and use of assistive technology.

Learn more about our app accessibility audits today.