Why Accessibility Matters

Accessibility (a11y) isn't just a "nice to have" or a legal requirement—it's about empathy and market reach. Over 1 billion people globally live with some form of disability.

In mobile, this ranges from permanent disabilities (blindness) to situational ones (trying to read a screen in bright sunlight). By building for accessibility, you build a robust app that works better for everyone. It also boosts your App Store ranking.

Screen Reader Support

Blind and low-vision users rely on screen readers that speak the UI aloud.

  • iOS (VoiceOver): Use the isAccessibilityElement and accessibilityLabel properties. Group related elements so they are read as a coherent sentence, not disjointed words.
  • Android (TalkBack): Use contentDescription. For decorative images (like background shapes), set the description to null so TalkBack skips them, reducing noise.

Visual Accessibility

Don't rely on color alone to convey state. If an error field turns red, also add an icon or text saying "Error".

Dynamic Type: Users often increase their system font size. If your app hardcodes standard heights (e.g., height: 50px), large text will get cut off. Use flexible/wrap layouts that grow with the text content.

Contrast: Ensure a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for text. Tools like the "Accessibility Scanner" app can check this automatically.

Motor Accessibility

Not everyone has fine motor control. Some users have tremors or use switch access devices.

Touch Targets: Apple recommends a minimum hit area of 44x44 points; Google recommends 48x48dp. Even if the icon is small visually, add padding to the button to make the clickable area larger.

Avoid complex gestures (like "triple tap with two fingers") as the primary way to access a feature. Always offer a simple tap alternative.

Cognitive Accessibility

Design for clarity. Avoid jargon. Use consistent navigation patterns across screens.

If an action has a time limit (e.g., "OTP expires in 30s"), allow users to extend it. Anxiety-inducing UI harms users with cognitive impairments. Keep animations simple; avoid flashing content which can trigger seizures (photosensitivity).

Testing Tools

You have powerful tools built right into your IDE:

  • Xcode Accessibility Inspector: Audits your hierarchy and labels without needing a device.
  • Android Accessibility Scanner: An app you run on your phone that overlays suggestions on your UI.
  • Manual Test: The best test? Close your eyes, turn on VoiceOver/TalkBack, and try to use your app. You will immediately find the pain points.

Platform Guidelines

Don't reinvent the wheel. Follow the platform standards:

Apple's Human Interface Guidelines (HIG) and Google's Material Design specs have extensive sections on accessibility. Using standard UI components (like standard Buttons and TabBars) gives you 90% of accessibility features for free.