Today’s internet is all about inclusivity. When I say inclusivity, I mean the part of a population of the world which is unfortunately have at least one disability. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), here some important and interesting statistics that will clear our confusion on why accessibility is important in mobile app development:
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This accounts to 16% of the total world population.
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More than 80% of the differently abled people use the smartphones.
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More than 70% of the them use mobile apps.
No statistic from the above is so small for the mobile app developers across the world to ignore the importance of accessibility in developing mobile apps. Whenever the debate on accessibility is made, we all think of making the app more intuitive, and most of the times focus on the single disability i.e. disability of the eyes. These are a lot many disabilities which we often forget to consider and is seldom introduced in the mobile apps only when experienced. There is a lot more to accessibility which we will explore in this blog. First let’s understand...
What is mobile accessibility?
Mobile accessibility refers to the design and development of mobile apps and websites that ensures people with disabilities can access and use them effectively on smartphones and tablets. It's about creating an inclusive experience that removes barriers and allows everyone to interact with mobile technology.
Mobile accessibility contains following:
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Considering all disabilities: This includes not only visual impairments. Apps should be developed keeping hearing impairments, motor impairments, cognitive disabilities, and even temporary limitations in mind.
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Designing with accessibility in mind: Elements like clear labelling, proper color contrast, and alternative input methods (like keyboards for touchscreens) are all crucial aspects.
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**Making information accessible: ** Providing captions for videos, descriptive text for images, and screen reader compatibility are essential for users who can't perceive information in the usual way.
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**Easy navigation: ** The app's layout and functionalities should be usable by people with motor limitations or who rely on assistive technologies.
Why is accessibility important in mobile app development?
Accessibility holds a core focus in todays world and trend of mobile app development. Developing your mobile apps with accessibility in mind has much to offer and is an area which every developer and business should focus on.
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**Moral responsibility: ** Consider it as your responsibility. In the world where we have more than 16% of the total population which are disabled, it’s a moral responsibility for each and every business to have all their online means accessibility compliant including the mobile apps. It creates a sense of inclusivity amongst those who are differently abled.
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**Wider market: ** If your mobile apps doesn’t exhibit accessibility, you are bound to lose the almost 16% of the market share for your products. It’s important to note that people with disabilities can also be your potential and sometimes a long term customer.
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**Legality: ** Many countries such as the USA have special laws to make all the online content and online presence in a way which is accessible to all. Following these accessibility standards helps you avoid potential legal issues and fines.
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**Enhanced Brand Reputation: ** Demonstrating a commitment to inclusivity through an accessible app reflects positively on your brand image. It conveys social responsibility and builds trust with a wider customer base.
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**Improved Usability for All: ** Many accessibility features, like clear labelling, larger touch targets, and keyboard navigation, benefit all users, not just those with disabilities. An accessible app is inherently a more user-friendly app.
Examples of how a mobile app can be made accessibility compatible
Visual Impairments
Users with low vision or blindness might struggle with small text, poor color contrast, or lack of screen reader compatibility. The Apps should contain various modes which enables the background to change depending on the natural light.
Hearing Impairments
Users who are deaf or hard of hearing might miss audio cues or require captions for videos.
Motor Impairments
Users with tremors might have difficulty navigating touchscreens or using complex gestures. Simple gestures can be used for creating navigation in the apps.
Cognitive Disabilities
Users with learning disabilities or dyslexia might struggle with complex layouts, unclear instructions, or overwhelming amounts of information. The information should be precise and to the point. If there are loads of information to be given, it can be arranged in a collapsable or accordion format so that minimal amount of information is displayed on the screen at a time.
Steps to Improve Mobile Accessibility
There are many steps you can take to improve the accessibility during mobile app development. Here are a few key areas to focus on:
Visual Design
Use high contrast colors, clear and concise language, and appropriate font sizes.
Interactive Elements
Ensure buttons and other interactive elements are large enough to target easily and allow for alternative input methods like keyboards.
Text Alternatives
Provide clear and descriptive text alternatives for all non-text content, such as images and videos.
Screen Reader Compatibility
Make sure your app is compatible with screen reader software, which reads text aloud for visually impaired users.
Conclusion
Accessibility is an important aspect in today’s mobile app development process. As we have seen the WHO figures of the total population with disabilities, on both moral and business grounds, it’s a duty of the businesses to strive to create mobile apps that are accessibility compliant so that a large part of the world population feels included and as a business, you don’t miss the potential market that 16% of the population contains. There are various aspects of accessibility that should be taken into consideration while developing a mobile app but, not all would be necessary, so opt for a top mobile app development company who can guide you through the process and develop an app that is accessible to all.