How To Increase the Accessibility Of Mobile Applications For Users?

Mobile app development is a major software development sector in today’s IT sector. Mobile apps are more popular than desktop apps because the user base for mobile devices and apps is higher than for other devices. It is, therefore, important for mobile app development services to focus on increasing the quality of any created application.

There are two sides to mobile app development, the back-end development process and the front-end development process. While companies should build apps with robust back-end frameworks, they should also focus on creating a good front-end with an intuitive UI. The mobile app's user interface is the layer with which the user interacts the most.

It is necessary to make the UI of a mobile app accessible to make it easy for the user to use. The easier and more accessible an app is, the more people will use it worldwide. The key to creating a good and popular app is to make it accessible. There are many ways in which mobile app developers can create an accessible app. This article will discuss how mobile app developers can create an accessible user interface layout.

Why is it important to make the Mobile App UI accessible?

Why do leading mobile app development companies stress accessibility so? Accessibility makes mobile apps usable by a large section of the population. In today’s world, nearly everyone has a mobile device. Many of this population suffer from usability challenges and cannot use a mobile app to its maximum potential.

Moreover, nearly 15 percent of the total population of the world suffers from some kind of disability. Even disabled people use smartphones, and they need accessible apps that can help them out. According to studies, nearly 1 in 7 people who use smartphones do not have the same app accessibility as others. Accessibility should not be an option for mobile app developers.

Mobile app development companies should hire mobile app developers who know how to increase the accessibility of a mobile app. Not only disabled people, even ordinary people who like to multi-task and depend on apps benefit from the increased accessibility. Increasing the accessibility of the mobile app can increase the user base of the application manifold.

Mobile app developers should take into consideration the aspects of visual, audio, and information accessibility for users. It is commendable if a mobile app is accessible to its targeted user base. However, to increase its user base, it should improve on the accessible features after relevant market research.

Here are the aspects to pay attention to for an accessible app design. Creating an app with these considerations can improve accessibility to a great extent.

Color Contrast

The color contrast ratio of an app is an important detail to pay attention to. A high color contrast ratio is an important point to take into consideration. A high color-contrast ratio helps with visibility. People with visual impairment, especially color-blind people, need high color contrast for better visibility.

An imperfect viewing condition due to light changes, angles and other aspects can change the user's experience. Such changes make it difficult for people to see the screen properly and use the app. High color contrast can help identify the app's different features and text elements in poor light conditions.

This way, the app becomes usable and accessible to people. A minimum color contrast of 4:5:1 is important for an app’s layout with small text elements. If the app uses large text elements, the color contrast should be at least 3:1. The mobile app developers and UX designers can test this color contrast ratio with the help of different tools.

Dynamic Type Feature

People use different types of screens today. Therefore, the application's adaptability to the mobile screen is an important aspect of accessibility. Adding dynamic type and auto layout as app features makes a huge difference for the user. Under dynamic type, the font size of the app text layout changes according to the screen so that users can view it comfortably at all times.

The user can change the font size according to his comfort level to make the app accessible to his vision. The auto layout feature is also helpful in adapting the app to the screen and needs of the user. The auto layout feature in some apps adjusts the viewing controls and layout according to the screen settings. This improves the usability of the app.

Tap Size

The tapping motion is used in abundance for many apps and tools today. Tapping is such an involuntary motion today that the user accidentally does it. To ensure that the accidental taps are reduced, and the user does not perform unwanted tasks, mobile app development services should ensure that the buttons and controls of an app should be the size of a human fingertip at least.

The user should not be frustrated with tiny tapping buttons. The user commits many unnecessary actions when the buttons are small and not spaced correctly. This can frustrate a user. Therefore, it is important to go for medium-sized controls and icons and space them considerably apart. This will help the user take decisive and singular actions on the app.

Use Standard UI Elements

Using custom elements is, of course, a good decision to increase the uniqueness of an app. However, mobile app developers should also pay attention to standard design elements used to create the overall framework of the application. Standard UI elements best support accessibility features.

Moreover, users are more comfortable with standard UI elements while they need time to get used to custom elements. It is important to balance standard UI design elements and custom elements to make the app interesting and accessible to the user.  Mobile app developers can build on the accessibility feature with the help of these standard UI elements.

Use Multiple Modes to Convey Information

There are many modes of information, like textual, visual, sensory, and audio elements. Whenever mobile app developers want to convey a piece of information to the user after they complete an action, they should use more than one element to convey the message. The multiple modes of communication convey the information efficiently.

The multiple modes of communication can be relevant and inclusive for people who suffer from some kind of disability. For example, suppose a person with visual impairment is using the app. In that case, the use of audio elements like a sound for error or a sensory trigger like vibration can convey the error message in a better way. Sending dedicated pop-up messages after the action can also increase the accessibility of the app.

The app can be improved with these additional elements so that it is accessible to different age groups and sections of the population. Users might prefer one mode of communication over others. While visual communication impresses one user, audio or message medium might impress another. To open up the inclusivity of the app, including multiple modes of communication is important.

Segregation of image and text

An app includes different elements like text, images, color themes, etc. One of the biggest mistakes mobile app developers make is not segregating images and text from each other. Using text over images can clutter the app space. To increase the accessibility of the app, it is important to give it a clean and minimalistic look. The user should not be distracted by too many elements on the screen when he visits the app for some important action.

If an image is only decorative, like a logo, it should not be cluttered with additional textual elements. If the image is that of an icon for an important action, it is better to choose a self-explanatory, good-quality icon image. Do not clutter this space with the superimposition of textual elements. Too many design elements in a small space can distract and frustrate the user. This can also hamper the time taken to decide on an action and take it.

Test the accessibility features and level

Sometimes mobile app developers create certain apps and are convinced there are no accessibility issues. However, before launching the app, the development company should test the app extensively and check for these issues. Many tools check for accessibility features and suggest the issues present.

With the help of these testing tools, mobile app developers can improve the app thoroughly. Accessibility issues can also arise with time. In such cases, checking and improving the points with every mobile app upgrade is important. Brainstorming with the team before every upgrade or layout plan can reduce the inaccessibility of an app.

These are some tips and tricks for mobile app developers to make apps more accessible and inclusive. Like all other aspects of mobile applications, mobile app developers should also reinvent and improve accessibility features and levels. A mobile app development company should always hire mobile app developers that attach importance to app accessibility.