Introduction
Technology has advanced and fueled a desire among designers, developers, and professionals to make websites and digital resources accessible to everyone. Now mobile apps are part of that craze. Yes! Mobile applications, be it web apps, iOS, or Android, all of them have joined the trend of making themselves accessible to all. By fulfilling ADA guidelines, apps can be made accessible to a variety of users, even those with disabilities.
ADA compliance for mobile apps is an essential aspect of creating and improving your mobile app accessibility. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guarantees that users struggling with various disabilities have equal access to public accommodations, including digital services and mobile applications. This blog explores the requirements for ADA mobile app accessibility, its benefits, and key considerations for developers and designers.
What Does ADA Compliance for Mobile Apps State?
The ADA requires that mobile apps must be usable and accessible to people with disabilities. It is essential since nearly 50 million Americans are disabled and depend on applications for a variety of reasons. Moreover, despite the impressive statistics about mobile apps, not all of them have been developed in accordance with app accessibility standards.
Implementing accessibility features will not only promote inclusivity but also benefit businesses by reaching a wider audience and enhancing user satisfaction. These features include alternative text for images, captioning for videos, and compatibility with assistive technologies like screen readers.
While the ADA does not provide explicit guidelines on mobile app accessibility, it does require public organizations to provide suitable arrangements to individuals with disabilities. In the context of mobile apps, this means that businesses and government agencies should ensure that their apps are accessible to individuals with disabilities to the extent that they are technically helpful.
ADA Mobile App Accessibility Compliance Requirements
To ensure that mobile apps are accessible to individuals with disabilities, it is essential for app developers to comply with the requirements set issued by the Americans with Disabilities Act. These requirements aim to promote equal access and usability for all people, regardless of their abilities. The following are essential ADA mobile app accessibility compliance requirements that developers should adhere to:
Text and Images
- All text within the app should be easily readable and resizable. Users should have the option to adjust the font size and style according to their preferences.
- Alternative text (alt text) should be provided for all images. It enables users with visual impairments to understand the content conveyed by the images through screen reader software.
Keyboard Accessibility
- Ensure that all app features and functionality can be accessed and operated using a keyboard alone. Users with mobility impairments often rely on keyboard navigation or external input devices.
- Provide clear focus indicators to indicate the currently focused element. It allows users to easily and efficiently navigate through the app using keyboard controls.
VoiceOver and TalkBack Support
- Enable VoiceOver support for iOS devices and TalkBack support for Android devices.
- Screen reader technologies provide audio feedback to users with visual impairments, allowing them to navigate and interact with the app effectively.
App Navigation
- Implement a logical and consistent navigation structure within the app. Users should be able to understand and navigate through different sections and features.
- Provide skip navigation links to allow users to bypass repetitive content and quickly access the main content of the app.
Video and Audio Content
- Provide captions and transcripts for all video and audio content. It allows individuals with hearing impairments to access the information conveyed through multimedia content.
- Ensure that video players have accessibility features, such as adjustable playback speed and volume controls.
User Interface Elements
- Ensure that all user interface elements, like buttons, checkboxes, and form fields, are properly labeled. Clear and descriptive labels help users understand the purpose and functionality of each element.
- Use standard UI controls and components that are familiar to users. It reduces confusion and allows individuals with disabilities to interact with the app more easily.
Color Contrast
- App interfaces should have sufficient color contrast between text and background elements. It ensures that individuals with visual impairments can distinguish between different elements on the screen.
- Avoid using color as the only means of passing on information. Provide additional visual cues or text alternatives to ensure that users with color blindness or other visual impairments can comprehend the content.
Bonus Read: How to Create Accessible & ADA-Compliant PDFs?
What are the Benefits of ADA Compliance for Mobile Apps?
Making mobile applications accessible for all has multiple benefits. The top 6 hidden benefits are:
Expanded User Base
By making mobile apps accessible to individuals with disabilities, businesses can tap into a larger user base. By ensuring that mobile apps are ADA-compliant, businesses can cater to these individuals and provide them with equal access to their various products and services.
Legal Compliance
It is important to ensure that mobile apps are ADA compliant not only as a moral duty but also as a legal obligation. The ADA, or Americans with Disabilities Act, ensures that people with disabilities are not discriminated against and mandates that businesses provide equal access to their products and services. By investing in ADA-compliant mobile app accessibility, businesses can mitigate the risk of legal disputes and potential lawsuits.
Improved SEO and App Store Rankings
ADA-compliant mobile apps tend to have better search engine optimization (SEO) and higher rankings in app stores. Search engines and app stores recognize the importance of accessibility and prioritize apps that meet ADA guidelines. By investing in ADA-compliant mobile app accessibility, businesses can improve their app's visibility, reach, and overall discoverability.
Innovation and Creativity
Designing mobile apps with ADA compliance in mind encourages innovation and creativity in the development process. Accessibility challenges can spark new ideas and solutions, leading to more innovative and inclusive app features. By embracing accessibility, businesses can foster a culture of innovation and stay ahead of their competitors.
Considerations for Developers to Develop Accessible Apps
The use of mobile apps has become increasingly prevalent, making it essential for app developers to ensure that their creations are accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities. By making apps accessible, businesses can tap into a larger market segment and reach a broader audience.
Developers and designers play an important role in ensuring ADA mobile app accessibility. They should consider accessibility from the initial stages of app development, including design, coding, and testing. This involves following accessibility guidelines and standards that provide a framework for creating accessible digital content.
Key considerations for developers and designers include:
Perceivable
- Provide text alternatives for the non-textual content, such as images or videos, to ensure that users who have low vision or are visually impaired can understand the content.
- Ensure that multimedia content, such as audio or video, is accompanied by captions or transcripts for individuals with hearing impairments.
- Use color contrast appropriately to ensure that text and images are easily distinguishable for users with visual impairments.
Operable
- Ensure that all functionality of the app is accessible through a keyboard interface, as some users might have difficulty using touchscreens.
- Provide sufficient time for users to interact with the app, allowing individuals with motor disabilities to navigate and operate it effectively.
- Avoid content that flashes rapidly, as it can trigger seizures in users with photosensitive epilepsy.
Understandable
- Use clear, simple, and concise language throughout the app, making it easier for users with cognitive disabilities to understand the content.
- Provide clear instructions and error messages, ensuring that users with disabilities can easily navigate through the app and rectify any issues.
- Organize content in a logical and consistent way, helping users with cognitive impairments to navigate and locate information effectively.
Robust
- Ensure that the app is compatible with assistive technologies, namely screen readers and voice recognition software, enabling users with disabilities to access and interact with the app successfully.
- Follow the latest app accessibility standards and guidelines, do WCAG 2.1 audits, and stay updated with advancements in technology and accessibility practices.
Native Mobile App Accessibility Guidelines for Developers
Remember that following these accessibility guidelines will not only make your app more inclusive but also ensure that it complies with accessibility policies and regulations. Consider the following guidelines for your app accessibility:
- Provide Clear and Consistent Navigation: Ensure that the app's navigation is intuitive and easy to understand. Use standard navigation patterns and clearly labeled buttons, menus, and links.
- Use Descriptive Text: Use descriptive text for buttons, labels, and other interactive elements. It helps users with visual impairments understand the purpose and functionality of each element.
- Support Screen Reader Compatibility: Ensure that your app is compatible with screen readers, which assist users with visual impairments by reading aloud the content displayed on the screen. Use accessibility attributes and labels to enhance screen reader compatibility.
- Provide Adjustable Text Size: Allow users to adjust the text size within your app. It is particularly important for users with low vision who may need larger text sizes to read content comfortably.
- Test with Assistive Technologies: Regularly test your app with assistive technologies to ensure that it is fully accessible and usable for all users.
- Provide Closed Captions for Videos: If your app includes videos, provide closed captions to make the content accessible to users with hearing impairments. Closed captions display the spoken content as text on the screen.
- Avoid Flashing or Flickering Content: Flashing or flickering content can trigger seizures in users with photosensitive epilepsy or other photosensitive conditions. Ensure that your app does not include any flashing or flickering elements.
- Allow Sufficient Time for User Actions: Provide users with enough time to read and interact with your app's content. Avoid time limits or auto-advancing content that may hinder users with cognitive or motor impairments.
- Provide Feedback for User Actions: Clearly indicate when a user successfully completes an action or encounters an error. Use visual cues, such as color changes or animations, as well as auditory feedback to provide clear feedback to all users.
Read Also: Tips on Creating an ADA-Compliant Business Website
Final Words
Mobile apps have become an integral part of our everyday lives, allowing people to perform a wide range of tasks conveniently and efficiently. However, for individuals with disabilities, accessing and using these apps can often be a challenging and frustrating experience. That's where ADA compliance comes into play.
ADA compliance for mobile apps is essential to reach all users globally, irrespective of their various abilities and disabilities. Digital resources should be available for all, and our accessibility remediation services with expert professional knowledge can help you reach your goals. You can also utilize our alt text writing services to make your website, iOS, and Android apps accessible to all.