Developing Inclusive Mobile Apps: Building Accessible Apps for iOS and Android

✍ Scribed by Rob Whitaker

• Year: 2020
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 349
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

By failing to consider those with needs different to ourselves, we are telling these people they are not welcome in our app, and therefore that technology as a whole, is not for them. This is not hyperbole―23% of people in the US with a registered disability aren't online at all, that's three times more likely than the general population. When asked why they're not online, disabled respondents say their disability prevents them or that using the internet is too hard.

To help your apps combat the issue of digital exclusion, this book covers considerations and tools mobile developers, or anyone creating mobile experiences, can use to make mobile work better for those with disabilities―mental or physical―and how to create a better experience for everyone.

Software is not made up of cold, unthinking algorithms. Software is a craft in the truest sense of the word, and one of the greatest tools you can have as a craftsperson is empathy for the people who will be using your app. Each one of whom is an individual with different abilities, experiences, knowledge, and circumstances.
What You'll Learn

• Create mobile experiences that work for as many people as possible
  
• Incorporate a worldview of accessibility and customer service into your design
  
• Work with accessibility tools and techniques commonly available for developers
  

Who This Book Is For

Mobile developers working solo or as part of a team. UX designers, quality engineers, product owners, and anybody working in mobile.

✦ Table of Contents

Table of Contents
About the Author
About the Technical Reviewer
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1: Accessibility
The Telephone and Accessible Innovation
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf
Video Calling
Mobile Innovation
What Is Disability?
Major Minority
The Business Case for Accessibility
Accessibility Law
The United States
Europe
Advocating for Accessibility
Demonstrating Accessibility
Summary
Chapter 2: Digital Inclusion
The History of Inclusive Thinking
Universal Design
Equitable Use
Flexibility in Use
Simple and Intuitive
Perceptible Information
Tolerance for Error
Low Physical Effort
Size and Space for Approach and Use
Inclusive Design
Provide Comparable Experience
Consider Situation
Be Consistent
Give Control
Offer Choice
Prioritize Content
Add Value
Persona Spectrum
Digital Inclusion
Empathetic
Situational
Institutional
Users
Individuals
Your Experiences
Empathy
Empathy As a Motivation
Bias
Move Fast and Break Things
Summary
Chapter 3: Web Content Accessibility Guidelines for Mobile
Perceivable
Text Alternatives
Time-Based Media
Adaptable
Distinguishable
Color
Audio
Text
Operable
Keyboard Accessible
Time Limits
Seizures and Physical Reactions
Navigable
Input Modalities
Understandable
Readable
Predictable
Input Assistance
Robust
Compatible
Summary
Chapter 4: Android Accessibility Model
Accessibility Tree
Accessibility Nodes
Accessibility API
Content Description
Important for Accessibility
Hint
Accessibility Heading
Minimum Size
Label For
Traversal Order
Accessibility Traversal Order
Directional Control
Custom Controls
Accessibility Actions
Event Handling
Text Changed Event
Node Information
Delegate
Semantic Views
Focusable Containers
Summary
Chapter 5: Android Accessibility Features
Features
Volume Key Shortcut
TalkBack
Updating Content
Announce for Accessibility
Live Regions
Select to Speak
Font Size
Display Size
Dark Theme
Magnification
Color Correction
Color Inversion
Remove Animations
Switch Access
Touch and Hold Delay
Time to Take Action
Captions
High-Contrast Text
Voice Access
Localization
Translating Your App
Keyboard Navigation
Detecting Accessibility Services
Running Services
Feedback
Capabilities
Summary
Chapter 6: iOS Accessibility Model
Accessibility Tree
Accessibility Protocol and Accessibility Attachment Modifier
Accessibility Element
Label
Value
Hint
Traits
None
Button
Link
Search Field
Image
Selected
Plays Sound
Keyboard Key
Static Text
Summary Element
Not Enabled
Updates Frequently
Starts Media Session
Adjustable
Allows Direct Interaction
Causes Page Turn
Header
Tab Bar
Modal
Language
Elements Hidden
View Is Modal
Element Order
Escape
Custom Actions
Control Focus
Frame and Activation Point
Increment and Decrement
Semantic Views
Custom View
Frame
SwiftUI Stacks
Twitter Example
Summary
Chapter 7: iOS Accessibility Features – General
General Features
Accessibility Shortcut
Control Center
Guided Access
Localization
Views
Strings
Summary
Chapter 8: iOS Accessibility Features – Vision
VoiceOver
Screen Updates
Attributed Accessibility Strings
Pitch
Language
Spell Out
Phonetic Notation
Punctuation
Magic Tap
Zoom
Bold Text
Larger Text or Dynamic Type
Custom Styles
Button Shapes
On/Off Labels
Reduce Transparency
Increase Contrast
Differentiate Without Color
Invert Colors
Color Filters
Reduce White Point
Reduce Motion
Speak Selection
Speak Screen
Audio Descriptions
Dark Mode
Summary
Chapter 9: iOS Accessibility Features – Physical and Motor
Assistive Touch
Shake to Undo
Switch Control
Navigation Style
Voice Control
Summary
Chapter 10: iOS Accessibility Features – Hearing
Hearing Devices
Mono Audio
Subtitles and Captioning
Summary
Chapter 11: Testing for Accessibility
Automated Testing
Google GTXiLib
Deque WorldSpace Attest
XCUI Testing
Espresso Testing
Verification Tools
Google GSCXScanner
Deque WorldSpace Attest
Apple Accessibility Inspector
Xcode Environmental Overrides
Xcode Application Language
Google Accessibility Scanner
Manual Testing
Screen Reader Testing
What to Look Out For
Voice Control Testing
User Feedback
User Testing
Summary
Chapter 12: Making Your App Inclusive
Dyslexia, Autism, and Learning Difficulties
Design Simplicity
Typography
Clear Written Content
Alternatives to Text
Color
Accuracy
Full Disclosure
Anxiety and Mental Health
Guide
Communicate
Self-control
Social Interaction
Gamification
Financially Disadvantaged
Digital Literacy
Essential Digital Skills
Communicating
Handling Information and Content
Transacting
Problem-Solving
Being Safe and Legal Online
Findings
You ≠ Your Users
User Testing
Age
Text Sizes As a Gateway to Accessibility
Gender and Sexuality
Gender
Storing Gender
Pronouns
Titles
Preferred Names
Harassment
Deafness and Hearing Impairments
Clear Content
Captions
Physical and Motor Skills
Precision
Keyboard and Switch Access
Timeouts
Shortcuts
Automation
Visual Impairments
Careful Use of Color
Logical Layout
Race and Nationality
Machine Learning
Localization
Developing Accessibility and Inclusion
A11y Community
Meetups and Conferences
Index