You're designing a mobile app for diverse users. How can you ensure accessibility for all?

"While designing a mobile app for a retail brand, we made accessibility a priority. We used high-contrast color schemes to ensure better readability for users with color blindness and added a resizable text option so customers could adjust font size to their preference. This was especially useful for older users who struggled with small text. We also included alternative text for images to support screen readers, helping users navigate the app without relying on visuals. The positive feedback showed how these small changes made the app more inclusive and user-friendly for everyone."

Understanding the myth of accessibility is a good place to start. There are accessible color combinations that one could not read on a screen with perfect vision, and in-accessible combinations that pass even the most compromised eyes. Always making sure you have you have backups for your backups (offer a pure contrast version for vision or a guided voice tour, for example). Be creative and trust your gut

When I worked for a certain robotics product company, the accessibility for 'who' was going to be operating the robot vacuum, or other types of hardware that would be moving around the house, making messes, making noise etc., Even creating a screen on a vacuum that required a simple design to operate. A diverse set of users. Yes, the price point of this type of device does alienate a certain group and would be considered a high-end product and a luxury. The interplay between mobile app usability, accessibility and hardware is a complex one. The challenge when designing for accessibility in this scenario was the interplay between the app controls and the devices for "unsighted" users. How would they do it? Voice? "Oh, we can't do that."

During a project aimed at making an app visually accessible, implementing high-contrast color schemes and making text resizable was crucial. This made navigation easier for users with mild visual impairments. Moreover, clear visual hierarchy improved usability for everyone. Providing alternative text for images not only supports screen readers but also those in poor lighting conditions or temporary issues like cracked screens. The importance of ensuring all interactive elements stand out distinctly and providing alternative text for images was highlighted.

The author suggests that integrating subtitles and visual cues in apps can improve accessibility for users with hearing difficulties. They highlight that many users prefer reading captions over listening, especially in noisy environments. Offering text alternatives like closed captions or visual signals for notifications can be beneficial, especially for those who prefer not to turn on sound in certain settings like public transport. This approach respects diverse user interactions with content.

Designing touchscreen controls for users with motor disabilities is crucial but often overlooked in accessibility. One instance where users struggled with unintended actions due to small or close buttons was highlighted. By making buttons larger and adding more spacing, the user experience improved for everyone, not just those with motor impairments. Inclusive design is universal, and adding alternatives to precise gestures like swiping or pinch-to-zoom can also make a difference for users with dexterity issues.

Simplifying an app's design can improve cognitive accessibility for users with cognitive disabilities. Overcomplicating navigation systems can be overwhelming, but streamlining menus and breaking tasks into clearer steps can make users feel more comfortable. Plain language and avoiding jargon are crucial. Features like clear labels, a logical flow of actions, and the ability to save progress or undo mistakes help users navigate intuitively without getting lost or frustrated.

The author emphasizes the importance of ensuring an app is fully compatible with assistive technologies like screen readers and voice control. They highlight the need to test regularly with these tools, such as enabling voice navigation or checking compatibility with third-party accessibility software, to ensure the app is usable for everyone. The author also emphasizes the importance of flexibility, allowing users to adjust settings like font size, contrast, and input methods, making the app adaptable to a wide range of needs.

The author emphasizes the importance of real users' feedback when designing for accessibility. They share a personal experience where they found an app that met all accessibility guidelines but had real-world shortcomings when they involved users with various disabilities. The app was made more user-friendly after iterating based on their feedback. They emphasize that accessibility is not just a box to check, but a continuous process of testing and refining to create the best experience for all.