Improving Accessibility in Mobile Apps

Inclusive Design and Assistive Technologies in Application Modernization

For this, it is important that, when developing an accessible application, the focus is placed on the following key aspects:

• Awareness and understanding of needs: Our users may have a multitude of diverse needs: visual, auditory, motor, cognitive disabilities... knowing them closely will allow us to better establish accessibility guidelines and best practices.
• Inclusive design from the beginning: Integrating inclusive design from the early stages of the project, incorporating aspects such as color contrast, text size, simplified navigation, or the use of descriptive labels for interactive elements into the user experience design is essential to minimize later development efforts.
• Testing with real users: Conducting accessibility tests with real users who have various disabilities can provide valuable feedback on the application's usability. This can be done through test groups or collaborations with organizations that represent people with disabilities.
• Use of accessibility standards: Following recognized accessibility standards, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), can help ensure that the application meets important accessibility requirements.
• Assistive technologies: It is important to integrate assistive technologies into the app, such as compatibility with screen readers for visually impaired users, support for alternative keyboards for users with motor disabilities, subtitles or transcriptions for users with hearing disabilities, voice controls, gesture compatibility...

Assistive technologies compatible with Android

• TalkBack: TalkBack is a screen reader integrated into Android that provides auditory and tactile feedback to help blind or visually impaired users interact with their devices. TalkBack describes what is on the screen and allows users to navigate, select, and activate items using touch gestures. It is the main interface through which people with vision problems can read, write, send emails, share on social networks, place orders, or even write music. TalkBack reads the on-screen text aloud, navigates through applications, and facilitates communication with braille, voice, and the keyboard.
• Accessibility Selector: A set of features that help users with motor disabilities interact with their Android devices by assigning custom gestures, such as tapping, swiping, and holding, to perform specific actions.
• Screen magnification: Android allows users to magnify the screen and adjust the display scale to make content easier to read.
• Real-time Text (RTT) Subtitles and Live Subtitles: These features provide real-time transcriptions of voice calls and video events, benefiting users with hearing impairments.
• Compatibility with physical keyboard and alternative: Android supports physical keyboards and alternative keyboards that can be useful for users with motor disabilities who prefer alternative input methods.
• Voice Accessibility: Android offers voice accessibility features that allow users to control their devices with voice commands. This can be useful for users with motor or visual disabilities.

Additionally, Android offers tools and resources to help developers test the accessibility of their applications and make improvements as needed. Some of these tools are:

• Accessibility Scanner: This tool, available on Google Play as a standalone application, allows developers to analyze the accessibility of their installed applications. Accessibility Scanner provides suggestions and recommendations to improve accessibility, such as adding descriptive labels to visual elements or improving color contrast.
• Accessibility Test Framework (ATF): ATF is an open-source testing tool that allows developers to write and run automated accessibility tests for Android applications. ATF uses the Android Testing Support Library to evaluate the accessibility of applications on different devices and versions of Android.
• Android Accessibility Services: Developers can use Android accessibility services to simulate interactions of users with disabilities and test the accessibility of their applications. This includes enabling TalkBack and other accessibility features to evaluate how applications work with assistive technologies.
• Android Studio Accessibility Inspector: Android Studio includes a tool called Accessibility Inspector that allows developers to examine the accessibility of their application's user interfaces during development. This tool provides detailed information about the accessibility structure of the user interface and highlights potential accessibility issues.
• Debugging tools and layout visualization: Android Studio provides various debugging and layout visualization tools that can help developers identify and fix accessibility issues. This includes the ability to simulate different disability conditions, such as low vision or color blindness, to assess how the application looks and functions for different users.

Assistive Technologies Compatible with iOS

iOS also integrates several assistive technologies that developers can leverage to make their applications more accessible. Some of these technologies include:

• VoiceOver: VoiceOver is a screen reader integrated into iOS that audibly describes what appears on the screen. It allows visually impaired users to navigate the user interface, select items, and access app content using touch gestures and voice commands.
• Zoom: Zoom is an accessibility feature that allows users to enlarge specific parts of the screen to make them more visible. Users can adjust the zoom level and move the enlarged screen to focus on specific areas of interest.
• Switch Control: Switch Control is an iOS feature designed to help people with motor disabilities interact with their devices. It allows users to control their device using a set of on-screen buttons, which can be customized to suit the individual needs of the user.
• Hearing Assistant: iOS includes several features designed to help people with hearing disabilities communicate more easily. This includes features such as conversation mode in FaceTime, compatibility with hearing aids, and sound amplification.
• Subtitles and real-time transcriptions: iOS allows users to enable subtitles and real-time transcriptions for voice calls and videos. This can be useful for people with hearing disabilities who need access to spoken content.
• Compatibility with alternative keyboards: iOS offers compatibility with alternative keyboards that can be useful for people with motor disabilities who need alternative input methods.
• Lastly, iOS provides specific APIs that allow developers to integrate accessibility features into applications. For example, the Accessibility API can be used to provide descriptions of visual elements, such as buttons and images, for VoiceOver users. The UIAccessibility API can also be used to customize how user interface elements are presented to users.

Testing the accessibility of a mobile application is essential to ensure that it is usable by a wide range of users, including those with disabilities. Some of the techniques that can be followed to test the accessibility of an application on iOS are:

• Activate VoiceOver: VoiceOver is one of the most widely used accessibility technologies on iOS, so it is important to test your application with this feature enabled. You can activate VoiceOver in the accessibility settings of your iOS device (Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver)
  

• Navigate through the application: Once VoiceOver is activated, use touch gestures and voice commands to navigate your application. Ensure that all user interface elements are accessible and that appropriate voice descriptions are provided for all interactive elements.
• Test user interface navigation: Test user interface navigation using only touch gestures and voice commands. Ensure that users can easily access all features and content of the application using VoiceOver.
• Verify reading order: Verify that the reading order of user interface elements is logical and consistent when using VoiceOver. Ensure that elements are presented in an order that makes sense to users.
• Test text input: Test text input using VoiceOver to ensure that users can effectively enter text in all text fields of your application.
• Evaluate contrast and readability: Verify that the color contrast of your application is adequate and that the text is readable for users with visual impairments. Ensure that there is no text overlapping images or other elements that could hinder readability.
• Test with different accessibility settings: In addition to VoiceOver, test your application with other accessibility settings enabled, such as Zoom and Switch Control. This will help you identify any accessibility issues that may arise with these features.
• Request user feedback: Finally, request feedback from real users with different disabilities. Ask them to test your application and provide comments on its accessibility and usability.

Using assistive technologies in applications, brands can significantly improve their market position and relationship with consumers, as well as build a better and more accessible world for everyone.

At SEIDOR, we are specialists in mobile application development. If you are facing a project of this nature and want the advice and guarantees of working with a professional team, do not hesitate to contact us.