Mobile app accessibility with ONCE Foundation

Accessibility in mobile applications is essential to ensure that anyone, regardless of their physical, sensory, or cognitive abilities, can interact with them autonomously and effectively. BHH member GooApps, an expert in developing accessible solutions, emphasizes the importance of inclusive design in today’s mobile landscape. In Spain, over 4 million people live with disabilities, and accessibility benefits not only this group but also older adults and users with temporary or situational limitations.

Designing accessible applications means making them perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust. This includes providing alternative text for images, compatibility with screen readers like VoiceOver or TalkBack, and voice navigation options. Lourdes González from Fundación ONCE highlights the importance of incorporating assistive technologies and inclusive design from the early stages to guarantee usability.

Accessibility is not only a legal requirement in many countries, such as Spain, which enforces regulations like Royal Decree 1112/2018 and Law 11/2023, but also a competitive advantage that broadens the user base. Studies show it can increase potential users by up to 20%. Moreover, accessible features like subtitles or high contrast improve the experience for all users, not just those with disabilities.

Accessibility is divided into several categories:

• Physical: Alternative methods like voice controls or external switches for users with reduced mobility.
• Sensory: Alternative text, subtitles, and visual or haptic notifications for users with visual or hearing impairments.
• Cognitive: Simplified interfaces, clear instructions, and organized content for users with learning difficulties.
• Situational: Solutions for temporary limitations, such as voice controls for injured users.

Spain’s legal framework mandates compliance with standards like UNE-EN 301549, aligned with WCAG 2.1. These guidelines are built on principles such as perceivability, operability, understandability, and robustness, summarized by the acronym POUR.

Key challenges to achieving accessibility include a lack of technical knowledge and resistance to investing in native accessible development. Lourdes González emphasizes that designing accessible apps from the outset simplifies processes and prevents the need to maintain multiple versions, ensuring updates and usability.

The article also highlights technologies like artificial intelligence AI as pivotal for enhancing accessibility, from automatically generating image descriptions to designing inclusive interfaces. Other innovations, such as augmented reality, brain-computer interfaces, and haptic technology, will shape the future of accessible applications.

In conclusion, incorporating accessibility from the early stages of development not only complies with legal requirements but also enhances user experience and reinforces companies' social commitment. GooApps, with its accessible development methodology, stands out as a leader in this field, delivering inclusive and high-quality solutions.

Discover more about GooApps' mobile accessibility apps HERE.