As the number of mobile applications continues to grow, it's essential that developers prioritize app user experience for people with disabilities. According to a 2014 report, there were over one million apps available in Apple and Android stores, making it crucial to ensure that these apps are accessible to everyone.
In recent years, the accessibility of mobile applications has become a vital issue for people with disabilities. The internet has revolutionized communication and self-determination for individuals with disabilities, providing them with access to more information and resources (Dobrasky & Hargittai, 2006). However, only 54% of individuals with disabilities have internet access (Harris Interactive, 2010), likely due to financial disparities (National Council on Disability, 2011).
To bridge this gap, mobile devices offer a more affordable option for people with disabilities to access the internet. Moreover, not only do phones need to be accessible, but also the information displayed on them. With the rapid pace of app development, it's essential that developers understand how to create accessible apps.
Methodology
Our research team, led by Rachael Baumann, Jaclyn K. Schwartz, and Roger O. Smith from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's Rehabilitation Research Design and Disability (R2D2) Center, conducted a two-phase study to better comprehend app accessibility resources for developers. The first phase involved a literature review, which included searches of relevant scholarly literature, programming guides from mobile device manufacturers (Apple and Android), and web content guidelines (W3C). The second phase consisted of key informant interviews with three AR-B team software developers/programmers.
Results
The literature review revealed that resources for developing accessible apps are widespread and contain extensive detail. Current standards for mobile accessibility are included in those for web content, as recommended by the World Wide Web Consortium's (W3C) guidelines. These guidelines emphasize the importance of making content perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust.
However, our findings indicate that inconsistency across platforms is a significant challenge in developing accessible apps. Participants reported that different operating systems provide distinct frameworks for programming accessibility features, requiring developers to create separate applications for each platform. This limitation can be addressed through cross-platform compilers and responsive design.
Despite the availability of these solutions, our research highlights the complexity of implementing device-specific accessibility information due to the unique characteristics of each operating system. For instance, Developer 2 noted that Android enables a developer to label an interface feature, whereas iOS allows developers to add explanations through accessibility hints. This disparity can impact the effectiveness of advanced accessibility features, such as Equivalent Text Descriptions.
Conclusion
As the app market continues to evolve, it's crucial for developers to prioritize app user experience for people with disabilities. Our research emphasizes the importance of understanding the challenges involved in creating accessible mobile apps and the need for consistent accessibility frameworks across platforms. By addressing these issues, developers can unlock a more inclusive and accessible app user experience for everyone.
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