A Guide to Mobile App Accessibility

Think about the last time you picked up your phone (it probably wasn’t that long ago). You likely rely on it a lot — responding to messages, connecting with friends and family, and getting things done on the go. It’s an integral part of your life, right? But what would happen if you couldn’t use your phone?

For many people with disabilities, the inaccessibility of mobile apps makes it difficult, if not impossible, to use smartphones or other mobile devices. From a business perspective, inaccessible mobile apps not only exclude millions from using your app but also put you at legal risk.

Below, we’ll delve into the world of mobile app accessibility — what it is, why it matters, the requirements surrounding mobile apps, and the legal and ethical responsibility organizations have to provide accessible mobile experiences.

What is Mobile App Accessibility

The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) defines mobile accessibility as “making websites and applications more accessible to people with disabilities when using mobile phones and other devices.” This includes devices such as:

• Phones and tablets

• Digital TVs

• Wearable devices, including smartwatches

• Devices in car dashboards and airplane seatbacks

• Devices in household appliances

• IoT devices

The purpose of mobile accessibility is to address issues such as:

• Touchscreens

• Small screen sizes

• Various input modalities, including speech and 3D touch

• Device use in different settings (e.g., using mobile devices in a brightly lit room)

Are Mobile Apps Required to Be Accessible?

The short answer: Yes, mobile apps must be accessible in the United States and other countries. According to the U.S. federal courts and regulations, there are four instances in which mobile apps must be accessible:

• If your mobile app is tied to a physical location, entity, or business.

• If your business is only accessible through the web.

• If federal employees use your mobile app.

• If your app meets the 21st Century Video Accessibility Act (CVAA) communications requirements 

If your mobile app falls into one of these categories, it must be accessible. Doing so ensures you comply with accessibility laws and regulations, including the ones mentioned below.

Americans with Disabilities Act

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in places of public accommodation, which includes the web and mobile applications. However, the ADA does not include technical specifications for mobile app accessibility. Instead, the act requires organizations to meet the standards contained in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

WCAG

Developed by the W3C, WCAG is considered the go-to accessibility standard for digital accessibility and applies to mobile apps. The guidelines have more than 80 success criteria, each designed to enhance accessibility for those with disabilities. WCAG is divided into four principles (commonly referred to as POUR):

• Perceivable: Mobile content should be entirely visible to users. It shouldn’t be hidden or inaccessible to those with hearing loss, vision loss, or other disabilities. 

• Operable: All mobile app components, including navigation, should be operable by all users — regardless of ability. 

• Understandable: Users should be able to understand your mobile content easily.

• Robust: Mobile content must be robust enough to be easily interpreted by various users, including those using assistive technologies.

The W3C created several success criteria (SC) for mobile apps to improve accessibility around screen size, touch target, keyboard control, screen orientation, and more. For example, WCAG 2.1 SC 2.5.5 outlines best practices for touch target size and spacing, recommending touch targets are at least 44 by 44 CSS pixels. Additionally, the guideline recommends that touch targets close to the minimum size be surrounded by inactive space. Additional WCAG requirements include adding alt text (or alternative text) to images, labeling all form fields, providing sufficient color contrast, and using headings in the right order.

For a complete list of WCAG mobile app success criteria, use the W3C’s mobile accessibility mapping document. You can also use AudioEye’s Ultimate Guide to Accessible Web Design to further enhance the accessibility of your mobile content.

Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act

Section 508 is an amendment to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which was the first federal law in the United States to prohibit discrimination against individuals with disabilities. The legislation applies specifically to federal agencies and organizations that receive federal funding, including contractors and suppliers. Under Section 508, all digital communications, including those on mobile apps, must be accessible.

Twenty-first Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA)

Signed into effect in 2010, the CVAA requires that web browsers on mobile devices be accessible to people with disabilities. Under Title I, web browsers on mobile devices need to be accessible to those with visual impairments (e.g., people who are blind, who have low vision, or who are colorblind). This includes video communications, email, and text messages. 

The Dangers of Inaccessible Mobile

Inaccessible mobile apps don’t just frustrate users — they create real business and legal risk. When people with disabilities can’t use your app, you’re effectively shutting out millions of potential users. That can damage your brand reputation, lead to lost revenue, and even result in lawsuits under laws like the ADA and WCAG. 

Dozens of organizations have faced legal action for mobile app inaccessibility, especially in retail, banking, healthcare, and transportation sectors. These lawsuits can often cite barriers like unlabeled buttons, poor screen reader support, or gestures that can’t be performed by users with motor disabilities. The cost of accessibility lawsuits isn’t cheap either. According to the ADA, organizations can pay up to $50,000 for a first violation and up to $100,000 for subsequent violations. This cost doesn’t include the time and resources required to address accessibility issues and bring apps into compliance.

Beyond legal risk, inaccessible apps can also mean missed opportunities. As mobile continues to dominate the digital environment, users expect seamless, easy-to-use experiences. If your app isn’t accessible, people will leave — likely for a competitor with a more accessible app.

Series of mobile web browsers, one with the accessibility icon in the middle.

Common Mobile App Accessibility Failures

Mobile app accessibility issues aren’t easy to catch at first glance, but for users with disabilities, they can make an app completely unusable. Below are some of the most common accessibility issues on mobile apps and how they impact users with disabilities. 

CAPTCHA Barriers

CAPTCHAs are designed to keep bots out, but often lock people out too. Visual CAPTCHAs without audio alternatives exclude users with visual impairments, and complex puzzle-based CAPTCHAs can be impossible for users with cognitive or motor disabilities. Even so-called “accessible” CAPTCHAs often aren’t compatible with screen readers.

Audio and Video Without Accessibility Features

If your app includes videos without captions or audio content without transcripts, you’re leaving users with hearing impairments, such as those who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, behind. Likewise, if there are no audio descriptions or text alternatives for video-based content, blind users may miss out on important context.

Flashing or Motion-Sensitive Content

Flashing elements or motion triggers can cause serious issues for people with photosensitive epilepsy or vestibular disorders. Uncontrollable animations or effects like parallax scrolling and motion-based navigation can induce dizziness, nausea, or even seizures.

Low Color Contrast

Text that doesn’t have sufficient color contrast doesn’t stand out well against background elements. This can make it nearly impossible for users with low vision or color blindness to read. Apps that rely on color alone to convey information (e.g., red for ‘error’) can also confuse users who can’t perceive those distinctions. 

Fixed or Small Text Size

If users can’t resize text or if text is locked at a small size, it becomes difficult to read for people with low vision or older individuals. Mobile devices offer dynamic type scaling so users can view larger text, and accessible apps should respect those settings. 

Poor Screen Reader Support

Screen readers help blind and low-vision users navigate apps by reading content aloud. But if your app lacks proper labels, doesn’t use semantic elements, or has a confusing focus order, screen reader users can get stuck — or miss critical information entirely. 

Inaccessible Touch Targets

Small or tightly grouped buttons can be hard to tap for users with motor impairments, tremors, or limited dexterity. Apps should provide large, well-spaced interactive elements and avoid requiring gestures that need fine motor control.

Mobile Application Accessibility Checklist

Knowing that mobile accessibility is a legal requirement, let’s discuss how to meet those requirements. It’s important to note that while the best practices below can help you meet accessibility requirements, they do not guarantee compliance. 

With that in mind, here are a few best practices for enhancing mobile accessibility and usability:

• Design with screen size in mind: The small screen size of mobile devices can make it difficult for users to view and access information. You can make the experience more accessible by designing with smaller screens in mind.

• Pay attention to color contrast: WCAG includes recommendations for appropriate color contrast ratios on web content, but you’ll want to pay extra attention to color contrast on mobile apps. For example, if a user uses a mobile device in a brightly lit room, it may impact their ability to view the screen. Following WCAG’s color contrast recommendations of 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text can help improve readability. Using a color contrast checker can help you strike that balance.

• Simplify app gestures: Most apps are controlled through simple touch gestures, like a one-finger tap. However, there are times when more complex gestures (e.g., actions involving multiple fingers or multiple taps) are needed. In these situations, try to simplify as much as possible. Consider using a swiping gesture or reducing taps whenever possible. This ensures those with motor or dexterity impairments can still use and interact with mobile content.

• Adjust touch target size: Touch targets are tricky. You must find the right balance between being big enough to see but not so big as to block information. It can’t be so small that users can’t easily see or click on the button. To strike that perfect balance, WCAG recommends a minimum touch target size of 9 mm high by 9 mm wide with enough inactive space around the target. You’ll also want to place touch targets like buttons or links in easily accessible places.

• Make data entry easy: Data entry on mobile devices is relatively easy. Developers can simplify the experience by providing alternate ways for users to input information. For example, providing drop-down or select menus, checkboxes, or radio buttons can improve the experience for some users. Additionally, ensure users have multiple ways to enter information, including through keyboard shortcuts and commands, speech-to-text, and assistive technologies.

• Keep layouts consistent: Mobile content that repeats across multiple mobile screens should be kept as consistent as possible. For example, navigational elements or search bars should appear in the same place across screens. Providing a consistent layout creates a more seamless experience for users and helps them feel more comfortable and confident navigating your app. 

• Conduct regular accessibility testing: Regular accessibility testing with users with disabilities can help you identify where accessibility issues exist on your mobile device. Additionally, users may provide insight into the best way to resolve those errors. You may also want to use mobile accessibility testing tools like AudioEye to streamline your path to detect and fix accessibility issues that put you at risk. 

Rather than adding these features to mobile apps after launch, keep them in mind from the very beginning — from initial app design to final development. Doing so helps you avoid creating accessibility issues that may negatively impact users’ experience.

Benefits of Accessible Mobile Apps

Mobile app accessibility gives users an equivalent experience, regardless of their abilities. And there are numerous benefits to providing this experience.

From a legal standpoint, accessible mobile apps can decrease your legal risk. As mentioned above, the ADA prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities. If your mobile app is inaccessible, you could face a lawsuit or demand letter, which can result in expensive fines and damage to your company’s reputation (look at what happened in the infamous Domino’s Pizza case).

From a business perspective, accessible mobile apps help expand your audience's reach. By providing users with a more seamless, accessible experience, user satisfaction goes up, which opens the door to more customers and revenue opportunities. 

The bottom line: Almost everyone uses a mobile device — whether it be a smartphone, tablet, or IoT device. And usage shouldn’t be restricted to specific groups of people; instead, they should be accessible to everyone.

Bring Accessibility to Your Mobile Apps

An inaccessible mobile app is a liability — both legally and reputationally. As regulations expand and enforcement picks up, the cost of noncompliance is growing. But accessibility isn’t just about avoiding lawsuits — it’s a competitive advantage. Organizations that take accessibility seriously help safeguard their brand, reach more users, and deliver seamless digital experiences to their customers. Ignoring accessibility isn’t just risky — it’s what customers expect. 

To help you deliver those seamless mobile experiences, there’s AudioEye. Our Mobile App Audit is designed to help you create a more accessible experience. We start with a pre-audit to understand key aspects of your mobile app then our certified team of human testers use those insights to evaluate your app against the latest accessibility standards. Finally, you’ll get an audit that includes a breakdown of issues and expert guidance on how to fix them. 

Ready to enhance the accessibility of your mobile apps? Schedule a demo today.

Curious about your online content? Use AudioEye’s free Web Accessibility Checker to see how accessible your existing content is.