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How to make your mobile app more accessible

 
 
 
Everyone talks about making websites more accessible, but what about mobile apps? There’s not a lot of information out there about improving mobile app accessibility, so we decided to create a quick guide for you!
 

What is mobile app accessibility?

Mobile app accessibility refers to designing a mobile app that people with disabilities can use seamlessly. We recommend always including in your apps support for visual, hearing, physical or mobility related disabilities.
App accessibility should be ensured starting from the mockup design to the testing phase. Something everyone needs to remember is that an app is not automatically accessible, and so work needs to be done to ensure that.
 

The Importance of Implementing Mobile App Accessibility:

According to the World Health Organization, about 15% of the world’s population has some form of disability, and the number is expected to double by 2050. These stats only highlight the importance of building accessible apps.
Check out the key tips, recommended by the Bureau of Internet Accesibility, on how make your mobile app more accessible:
 

Visual Accessibility:

Due to color blindness and low-vision, apps should ideally require users the lowest level of effort.
Here are ways to improve your app’s visual accessibility:
  • Require zooming as little as possible
  • Set a reasonable default size for images, and anything with tactile controls
  • Optimize and minimize the amount of information in every page
  • Include labels above form fields
  • Enable zoom within the app
  • Magnify the entire screen
  • Make is possible to resize the text 200% without any assistive technology
  • Use the right contrast ratios for large and small text. Ideally minimum 4.5:1 and 3:1 for large text
 

Tactile and Operational Accessibility:

Interacting with touch screens can be extremely difficult, so enabling support with different technologies and making the best use out of the screen are a must.
Here are ways to improve your tactical and operational accessibility:
  • Enable keyboard support with Bluetooth and other technologies
  • Make touch items big and use colors that make them noticeable
  • Make sure touch targets are surrounded by blank space.
  • Use simple gestures
  • Use indicators for users to know which gestures to use
  • Use a layout that is consistent throughout the app
 
For more information on creating accessible mobile apps, check out the PDF resource by the Bureau of Internet Accessibility.
Want to develop or make your app more accessible? Contact us!
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