Many apps try to implement accessibility features for the visually impaired. To ensure true success, software engineers must ensure that their applications are convenient and concise.
While creating accessible apps is time-consuming and complex, it is the need of the hour. What's more, accessibility is a highly beneficial goal that all software engineering teams should strive to achieve. Of course, accessibility as a whole is a very broad topic, so it's always best to focus on specific features to ensure specific types of accessibility.
One of the hardest things when it comes to accessibility? Working for people with visual impairments. For people suffering from vision loss, even simple tasks such as searching and selecting options can be difficult. Still, as this research from the University of Washington shows, many app designers neglect the needs of visually impaired users when creating their apps.
It's time to stop this. And the best way to do this is to learn possible ways to help people with visual impairments use apps without accessibility issues.
What are some common problems faced by visually impaired users?
1. User Interface
A user interface is the first thing any application user interacts with. Unfortunately, for most applications, the UI settings are only configured for users with normal vision. Some apps try to implement accessibility features, including options to read aloud and vibrate in specific ways when performing an action. However, few applications actually achieve true accessibility.
2. Links/buttons
An app has many actionable items like buttons and links through which you interact with the different features. Using an application largely depends on these items. That's why, without properly adapted links and buttons, people with visual impairments won't find much use in an app.
3. Implementation
Even if an app is accessible and has voice input options, there may be times when visually impaired users face challenges while using the app. For example, if there are no subtitles/titles/alternative text in the code, the application will not return any audio output. Additionally, the listener won't know why the reader stopped if there is no alt text setup.
4. Standardization
Many applications do not have standard design features. Normal users can figure out how to navigate these apps, but this can create consistency issues for users with limited vision. Visually impaired users rely on simple layouts/menus to perform tasks. When they are not positioned in a predictable way, it becomes difficult for users to move from page to page, navigate back, and access other resources.
Another fact that engineers must consider before developing applications is that many visually impaired users have limited literacy, an issue that adds to the already demanding accessibility-centered development plan.
So how do you create an accessible app?
According to a recent WHO report, there are at least 2.2 billion people in the world with some type of visual impairment. And with life expectancy increasing, this number will only increase in the coming years. Therefore, engineers should consider incorporating accessibility into their mobile applications and strive to improve their applications to meet this growing demand.
How can they do this? Here are some ideas.
1. Screen Readers
Screen readers are specialized devices that transmit data from a computer screen to a refreshable braille display device that a visually impaired person can touch and use to read. This allows them to process digital information and applications without actually interacting with a screen.
The easiest way to develop an accessible app is by integrating a screen reader into it. This makes any application highly accessible. In fact, many companies have already started to integrate screen readers into their applications. For example, the Uber app is compatible with popular screen reading tools like Apple's VoiceOver and Android's TalkBack. Netflix also allows users to scroll through and play content using screen readers.
2. Alternative screen input methods
You can incorporate auxiliary screen input methods into your application, such as specialized keyboards, joysticks, and “sip and puff” devices. These devices allow users with disabilities to use your app. Along with input, these devices also help with in-app navigation and exploration.
3. Labeling Buttons
While screen readers enable people with visual impairments to navigate screens and perform basic operations, it is also important to make buttons and links accessible. Labeling important buttons allows users with disabilities to understand what each button/option does.
Not just the button, the loading screens must also be accessible. Visually impaired users may become confused if an operation takes longer than expected as they cannot see the loading screen. They don't know if an input is required or if the application has crashed. But if you have a loading screen label, the screen reader returns the label text, which tells the user that an operation is still processing.
Additionally, you can also add alt text to your images. Screen readers can read this text and allow users to recognize images. In fact, companies like Facebook are now using AI to explain images to visually impaired users.
4. Sound notifications
Apps should have built-in sounds to inform users when a screen change occurs. They must be stereo sounds, that is, sounds that reverberate in both ears. These sounds can be activated to recognize events such as page refresh, image transitions, application errors, etc.
Text-to-audio software is also very useful for people with visual impairments, as it helps them navigate applications without using specialized assistive devices. Accessible applications must have built-in text-to-speech software that can receive voice commands to perform basic functions. You can also use them to generate verbal results.
5. Changes to content structure
As visually impaired users use screen readers or text-to-speech software for reading, it becomes difficult for them to understand long paragraphs of text. As a general rule, you should keep paragraph length between 150 and 200 words for maximum comprehension. A break in text also tells the user that a paragraph has ended and a new one is about to begin.
You should also set clear titles for your paragraph, as they indicate when a new topic has started. They are also important for search and indexing.
Accessibility for everyone
Many organizations have started to include accessibility components in their systems. For example, Netflix has audio-assisted captions to enhance viewing sessions, and Twitter has automated alt text for all uploaded images. While universal accessibility is still a long way to go, many companies around the world are trying to break down barriers and work towards a common goal: making mobile apps accessible.
Billions of users around the world are unable to use mobile apps due to accessibility issues. As a software engineer, it is your responsibility to ensure that your application is accessible. There are accessibility options present in iOS and Android development kits that you can use.
Creating an accessible app means putting yourself in the shoes of a visually impaired user. Keep this in mind and you can have a huge impact on the lives of users with disabilities around the world.
Source: BairesDev
