As technology advances, it's crucial for mobile app developers to prioritize accessibility and user experience. The 2016 case of Robles v. Domino’s Pizza, LLC, highlights the need for accessible mobile apps that cater to users with disabilities. Guillermo Robles, a visually impaired individual, sued Domino’s for creating an inaccessible website and smartphone app, violating Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

The Rise of Mobile App Accessibility Lawsuits

The case mirrors the growing trend in mobile app and website lawsuits, which now account for about 20% of all ADA Title III filings – over 10,000 annually. With 1.3 billion people worldwide living with disabilities, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), making your app accessible is essential for legal compliance and inclusivity.

What Is Mobile App Accessibility?

Mobile app accessibility means designing apps that are usable by everyone, including those living with disabilities. It ensures that individuals with visual, hearing, motor, cognitive, or other impairments can interact with your app as easily as those without disabilities.

Instances When Mobile App Accessibility Is a Legal Requirement

In the U.S., federal courts and regulations require you to make your mobile app accessible in certain situations to meet legal standards. Here are instances when you need to make your app accessible:

  • If your app is associated with a physical site, entity, or business, it must comply with the ADA to make physical and digital spaces accessible to individuals with disabilities.
  • When your business operates solely online, it should adhere to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) under the ADA to make all digital content accessible.
  • If federal employees use your app, it must comply with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, which addresses accessibility in electronic and information technology for federal agencies.
  • When your app meets the communication requirements of the 21st Century Video Accessibility Act (CVAA), it should offer features like closed captions and audio descriptions for accessible video content.

Regulations and Guidelines for Mobile Apps

Making mobile apps accessible, especially for users with disabilities, can be challenging. Fortunately, the ADA and WCAG have well-established accessibility standards for mobile apps that help guide this process.

Designing Accessible Mobile Apps: A Checklist

To create an app that is easy for everyone to use, follow these guidelines:

  • Design for different screen sizes: Consider both small and large screens to make your app inclusive. Minimize information on each page and use reasonable default sizes for content and touch controls to help low-vision users avoid constant zooming.
  • Have a consistent layout: WCAG 2.0 Success Criteria 3.2.3 and 3.2.4 mandate consistent navigation and identification. Navigation elements like navbars and hamburger menu items must stay in the same order across screens, and buttons with similar functions should use similar text.
  • Provide color contrast: Ensure strong color contrast between text and background to boost readability for users with visual impairments or color vision deficiencies. Follow WCAG 2.1 minimum color contrast guidelines with a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text.
  • Use labels: Labeling user interface (UI) elements like images, buttons, and controls is important for app accessibility. It helps assistive technologies, such as iOS VoiceOver and Android TalkBack, accurately describe these elements to users who depend on them.
  • Pay attention to touch targets: When your app displays multiple interactive elements at once, make them large enough and spaced out for easy tapping. These tap or touch targets must be at least 9 mm by 9 mm. For smaller targets, add inactive space around them that is close to this size.
  • Provide image alternatives: Include alternative text for images so users with visual impairments can understand the information and context those images provide.

By following these guidelines, you can create an accessible mobile app that boosts user experience and ensures inclusivity for all.