09/12/2024
Accessibility refers to the ability of any person, regardless of their physical, sensory, or cognitive abilities, to independently and effectively access and use a product, service, or environment in a self-sufficient and effective way . In the context of mobile applications, accessibility ensures inclusivity, enabling all users, including those with disabilities, to interact with them without barriers.
In Spain, over 4 million people live with some form of disability, according to the National Statistics Institute. Moreover, digital accessibility is not only beneficial for this group but also for older adults and users who might face temporary limitations.
But how can we ensure that an app is accessible?
To answer this question and others you might have about accessibility, this article offers a guide on the aspects to consider when making mobile apps accessible. We’ll cover the conceptual foundations, relevant regulations and guidelines, and best practices for implementing accessible solutions.
Additionally, Lourdes González, Head of Technological Accessibility at ONCE Foundation, will share her personal insights throughout the various sections of this article.
Accessibility in mobile applications refers to the design and development of apps that can be used by anyone, regardless of their physical, sensory, or cognitive abilities or limitations. This means that apps must be perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust, ensuring that all users can access their content and functionalities equally.
In the words of Lourdes González, “Accessibility in mobile applications means that anyone, regardless of their ability to see, hear, move, or understand information, can use apps designed for their device, leveraging assistive technologies included in the operating system or those that can be installed additionally.”
For instance, a visually impaired person can use a screen reader like VoiceOver on iOS devices or TalkBack on Android. However, for these technologies to work effectively, the app must be designed with specific accessibility features, such as providing alternative text for images or informing users of the role of each interface element (e.g., buttons, drop-down menus, etc.).
Accessibility is a legal requirement in many countries, but beyond legality, it is essential for ensuring digital inclusion. Making mobile applications usable by everyone broadens their user base. According to recent studies, guaranteeing accessibility can increase potential users by up to 20%, as it includes people with permanent disabilities as well as those with temporary or situational limitations.
Moreover, accessibility enhances the user experience for everyone. For example, subtitles that help individuals with hearing impairments can also benefit users in noisy environments. Similarly, high-contrast designs help people with visual impairments but also make text easier to read in bright sunlight.
To better understand how accessibility is applied in mobile app development, consider the following practical examples:
These are just a few examples of how accessibility can be integrated into mobile applications to ensure they are usable and inclusive for everyone.
Designing with accessibility fosters equal access opportunities and creates a more comprehensive experience for the entire user base.
Accessibility in mobile application development is divided into several categories, each designed to address the different needs of users. Understanding these types of accessibility helps ensure that applications are inclusive and accessible to everyone.
Physical accessibility focuses on users with motor limitations. These limitations can range from difficulties moving hands or arms to a complete inability to physically interact with a device.
In the words of Lourdes González, “For people with reduced mobility, mobile applications should offer alternative interaction methods. For example, voice controls, input devices like switches, or the option to use an external keyboard.” Additionally, interactive elements, such as buttons, must be appropriately sized and placed to facilitate their use.
Common solutions include:
This type of accessibility addresses the needs of people with visual and auditory disabilities. This includes users with low vision or blindness as well as those with hearing impairments or deafness.
For visually impaired users, Lourdes González explains, “It is essential that applications are compatible with screen readers, providing alternative text for images and clear labels for interactive elements.” This ensures that blind or visually impaired individuals can navigate the application and access all information.
For users with hearing impairments, applications should include:
Cognitive accessibility focuses on individuals with learning disabilities, developmental disorders, or comprehension difficulties. These users benefit from applications that present information clearly and in an organized manner.
According to Lourdes González, “To improve cognitive accessibility, navigation and language need to be simplified. Instructions should be clear and consistent, and the interface design should minimize distractions.” Examples of best practices include the use of intuitive icons, clear labels, and the ability to adjust the complexity level of the content.
Often overlooked, situational accessibility is equally important. It refers to scenarios where a user without a permanent disability faces temporary or contextual limitations. For instance, a user in a noisy environment might benefit from subtitles, while someone with a temporary hand injury may need voice controls.
Considering these types of accessibility ensures that mobile applications can be used by a broad range of users. Each type of accessibility has a direct impact on the quality of life of those who rely on these features, guaranteeing their autonomy and participation in the digital society.
“Legislation has significantly influenced organizations to start focusing on digital accessibility. While the public administration has a bit more experience in this area, many companies had not considered it until now.
Accessibility is a feature that can expand the target audience of any organization, but often, unless there is a law mandating it, not all entities adopt it out of conscience. In fact, this is one of the major challenges: integrating accessibility as a quality hallmark, not just because legislation requires it”, says Lourdes.
Another significant challenge is knowing how to apply it. Fortunately, well-established standards outline the requirements. In Spain, regulations have evolved to ensure that both the public and private sectors meet accessibility standards, enabling all individuals, including those with disabilities, to use digital applications and services independently.
Digital accessibility regulations for public administration and private companies receiving public funding or subsidies are governed by Royal Decree 1112/2018, which transposes the European Directive (EU) 2016/2102. This decree stipulates that all public sector websites and mobile applications must comply with UNE-EN 301549, based on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level AA. These guidelines ensure that digital content is perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust.
In the private sector, the recent Law 11/2023, which transposes the European Accessibility Act or the European Directive 2019/882, extends accessibility requirements to a wide range of products and services. These include mobile applications for financial services, e-commerce, transportation, and more. This law will come into effect in June 2025 for new products and in 2030 for existing products.
In addition to these regulations, specialized portals like Accessibilitas provide detailed information on accessibility.
EN 301549 is the reference standard in Europe for ensuring accessibility in ICT products and services. It aligns with WCAG 2.1 but adapts specific criteria to mobile applications. According to this standard, applications must meet over 50 specific criteria, covering areas from accessible navigation to compatibility with assistive technologies.
The WCAG 2.1 guidelines are based on four fundamental principles, summarized by the acronym POUR:
These principles ensure that mobile applications are usable and accessible for individuals with various disabilities.
Despite progress, Lourdes González highlights that “many organizations still struggle to comply with all regulations, primarily due to a lack of knowledge or technical resources.” A flawed strategy, according to Lourdes, is to develop two versions of the same application: one accessible and one not. “This increases the risk that the accessible version becomes outdated, which goes against the goal of inclusion.”
For this reason, it is crucial that companies integrate accessibility principles from the early stages of development. Failing to do so complicates and increases the cost of application development.
The principles of digital accessibility, summarized by the acronym POUR (Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust), form the foundation for designing inclusive applications. These principles, established in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), ensure that mobile applications can be used by anyone, regardless of their abilities or usage context.
The principle of perceivability focuses on ensuring that users can perceive the information presented in the application. This means that visual, auditory, or tactile elements must be accessible. Common measures include:
For an application to be operable, its features must be accessible through various interaction methods, not just touch screens. This includes:
An operable application must also avoid elements that cause fatigue or are difficult to use, such as very small buttons or clicks required in hard-to-reach locations.
The principle of understandability ensures that both the information and functionality of the application are clear and predictable. This is achieved through:
This principle also covers consistent interface behavior, ensuring that interactive elements respond predictably to avoid confusing users with unexpected changes.
A robust application is designed to be compatible with a variety of devices and assistive technologies, both current and future. This involves:
By adhering to these four principles, developers can create applications that are inclusive, functional, and adaptable for all users.
Image source: Tecno Braille
Digital accessibility in mobile applications requires the use of specific technologies and tools to ensure inclusivity for all users. These tools help identify and resolve accessibility issues, ensuring compliance with regulations and improving the user experience.
There are various tools designed to assess and enhance the accessibility of mobile applications. Below are some of the most important ones:
These technologies help detect potential errors, making it easier to integrate accessible solutions from the earliest stages of development.
An example of an accessible application, as shared by Lourdes, is “Medicamento Accesible Plus.” She explains, “This app is designed to allow anyone to consult the leaflet of medications. It also includes additional features, such as detecting medication incompatibilities, for instance, due to certain intolerances. This app is available for iOS and Android devices and can be used seamlessly, even if you have a disability. It already has more than 100,000 downloads.”
Its key features include:
This example highlights how accessible design can make essential information and services available to everyone.
User experience (UX) is one of the most important aspects of mobile application development. When accessibility is integrated, usability is improved not only for people with disabilities but also for a wide range of users in various contexts. Let’s explore how accessibility can optimize overall usability and review some examples of inclusive interfaces.
Accessibility and usability are intrinsically linked. An accessible application is, by definition, easier to use for everyone.
A design with a clear visual hierarchy, well-spaced elements, and adequate contrast facilitates navigation and understanding of the content. Lourdes González notes, “A clean interface design, with proper contrast, easy-to-read fonts, a clear visual structure, and well-labeled buttons, enhances usability for everyone.”
Furthermore, the logical organization of menus and consistent navigation ensure that users can easily find what they are looking for.
There are many examples of how accessible design improves user experience, including:
The integration of accessibility offers a superior user experience for everyone. By considering the needs of diverse groups from the outset, more inclusive and effective applications are created.
GooApps development team
Developing accessible applications is not without its challenges. If not properly managed, these challenges can compromise both usability and the inclusion of users with disabilities. However, with a strategic approach, these obstacles can become opportunities to enhance the overall quality of applications.
One of the most significant issues is the lack of technical and regulatory knowledge about accessibility. Many organizations lack a deep understanding of the standards to follow, such as WCAG 2.1 and EN 301 549, which makes it difficult to implement accessible practices from the initial design phase. According to Lourdes González, “One of the biggest challenges is knowing how to apply accessibility effectively. Fortunately, there are resources like Accessibilitas that provide multiple guides on accessibility.”
Another challenge is fragmentation in development, especially when attempting to create applications that work on multiple operating systems. Lourdes explains, “Currently, better accessibility results are achieved when applications are developed natively. However, not all organizations are willing to invest in developing specific applications for each operating system, which affects accessibility quality.”
Cross-platform tools, while efficient in terms of time and development costs, often create less accessible interfaces because they do not fully leverage the specific capabilities of each operating system.
A common mistake in the industry is to develop parallel versions of applications: one accessible and one standard. While this may seem like an immediate solution, it poses long-term issues. Lourdes emphasizes, “When separate versions are created, the accessible one often becomes outdated because development teams prioritize the standard version.” Over time, this strategy results in higher maintenance costs and compromises the user experience quality in the accessible version.
The solution lies in integrating accessibility into the design of the application from the ground up. It is better to invest efforts in maintaining a single accessible application that works for all users, regardless of the operating system they use. This ensures that accessibility becomes a central component of application development.
The future of accessible applications is shaped by the integration of new technologies expected to simplify and accelerate the design and development of digital interfaces. Among these technologies, artificial intelligence (AI) stands out as a promising tool to enhance and automate accessibility. However, this progress must be accompanied by rigorous human validation to ensure that implemented solutions are effective and genuinely inclusive.
AI will undoubtedly have the capability to automate certain tasks related to accessibility. Lourdes González explains, “Artificial intelligence can help automate some accessibility features. For example, it can simplify texts and interfaces, but it will need validation from people with cognitive difficulties to ensure the results are optimal.”
Some of the most promising applications of AI in accessibility include:
Despite these advancements, Lourdes emphasizes, “Human validation will remain indispensable, especially from people with disabilities, to ensure that automated solutions meet standards and are truly useful.”
Another area is the use of generative AI in application design. Lourdes highlights, “It would be important for generative AI to learn accessibility principles to guide professionals in designing accessible technologies. For now, it is starting to provide some basic guidelines, although it doesn’t always interpret them correctly.”
Generative AI’s potential includes the creation of accessible prototypes more efficiently, automatically proposing inclusive interface structures and design elements that comply with standards. However, its adoption requires ongoing adjustments and collaboration between developers and accessibility experts to refine the results.
Beyond AI, the future of accessible applications is likely to include other technological trends, such as:
1. Accessible Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)
AR and VR provide immersive experiences that can be adapted for users with disabilities. For example, AR applications could offer real-time auditory descriptions of physical environments for visually impaired users, while VR environments can be designed for physical or cognitive rehabilitation therapies, offering interactive and motivating exercises.
2. Haptic feedback devices
Haptic technology, which uses touch to convey information, is finding increasing applications. Devices like haptic gloves allow visually impaired individuals to “feel” virtual objects, making interaction with digital interfaces more intuitive. Additionally, these devices can be used in education, providing tactile experiences that complement traditional learning methods.
3. Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI)
BCIs offer a solution for people with severe motor disabilities. These interfaces enable the control of digital devices through brain signals, eliminating the need for physical movements. For instance, a person with paralysis can type on a computer or control a motorized wheelchair simply by thinking about the desired action.
4. Smart virtual assistants
Powered by AI, virtual assistants are improving their ability to understand and respond to the needs of users with disabilities. These assistants can be personalized to provide more precise and tailored responses, making everyday tasks such as managing schedules, medication reminders, or controlling smart home devices more accessible.
5. Enhanced voice technologies and speech recognition
Advances in voice recognition are enabling more natural and efficient interaction with digital devices. For individuals with physical disabilities that limit their ability to use touch interfaces, voice control offers an accessible alternative. Additionally, speech recognition is improving in its ability to understand diverse accents, dialects, and speech patterns, broadening its utility for a more diverse and inclusive population.
These innovations represent significant progress toward a more inclusive digital environment. The integration of these technologies into the development of applications and devices enhances the user experience and promotes equal access and participation in digital spaces.
The development of accessible applications should not be an afterthought. Incorporating accessibility from the early stages simplifies the development process, reduces long-term costs, and enhances the user experience for everyone. As we’ve emphasized, designing with accessibility from the outset enables companies to comply with relevant regulations, expand their user base, and demonstrate their commitment to inclusion.
We would like to express our gratitude to Lourdes González, Head of the Technological Accessibility Department at Fundación ONCE, for sharing her extensive knowledge and experience in accessibility. Her contributions have enriched this article, providing a clear and practical framework for understanding and implementing accessibility in mobile application development.
Now is the time to act. Implementing accessibility from the start should be a priority for any company that wants to be part of a more inclusive future. We encourage developers, designers, and project leaders to adopt a proactive approach, ensuring their applications are accessible to everyone.
At GooApps, we have long been committed to being a leader in the development of accessible applications. Our proprietary development methodology incorporates accessibility principles throughout every stage of the development process. Together, we can build a fairer and more inclusive digital environment for all.
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