by Mollie Brown | Dec 9, 2024 | Accessibility Testing, Blog, Latest Post |
In today’s digital world, it is important to make things easy for everyone. For Android developers, this means creating apps that everyone can use, including those with disabilities. TalkBack accessibility testing is vital for this. It is a key part of the Android Accessibility Suite and is a strong Google screen reader. TalkBack provides spoken feedback, allowing users to operate their Android devices without having to see the screen. This blog will guide you on TalkBack accessibility testing and how to perform effective Accessibility Testing.
Key Highlights
- This blog gives a clear guide to TalkBack accessibility testing. It helps developers make mobile apps that everyone can use.
- We will talk about how to set things up, key TalkBack gestures, and more advanced testing methods.
- You will learn how to change TalkBack settings and use the Accessibility Scanner for complete testing.
- Find out the best ways to create accessible apps so every user can have a smooth experience.
- Getting feedback from users is very important for making improvements. We will show you how to collect and use useful insights from TalkBack users.
Understanding TalkBack Accessibility
TalkBack is a good example of assistive technology. It is a screen reader that helps people with visual impairments or other disabilities. These challenges can make it difficult to see what’s on their devices. When you activate TalkBack, it reads aloud the text, controls, and notifications on the screen. This helps users understand and use apps by only listening to audio cues.
For TalkBack accessibility testing to work properly, apps must be accessible. If apps are not made well, they can have problems like bad content labels, tricky navigation, or low color contrast. These issues can make TalkBack difficult to use for many people. This situation highlights the need for developers to focus on app accessibility right from the beginning.
The Importance of Accessibility in Mobile Apps
The importance of mobile app accessibility is very high. Many people feel frustrated when they cannot get information or complete tasks on their phone due to poor accessibility features in an app. This issue affects millions of users every day.
Creating an app that everyone can use is not only the right choice; it allows you to connect with more people. By sticking to the rules from the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), you make your app easier for those with different disabilities to use.
For apps undergoing TalkBack accessibility testing, consider important factors like the right touch target size for users with movement issues. Make sure there are clear content labels for those who use screen readers. Also, good color contrast is needed for users with vision problems. By focusing on these aspects, your app becomes easier for everyone to use. This means that making your app accessible should be a main part of development, not just an afterthought.
An Overview of TalkBack Feature for Android Devices
TalkBack is already on most new Android devices. You don’t need to download it separately. It is important to use the latest TalkBack version for the best performance. You can find and update TalkBack easily in the Accessibility settings or the Google Play Store.
When you turn on TalkBack, it changes how you use your Android device. A simple tap will now read an announcement instead of selecting something. To activate a button or link you selected, you must double tap. You can swipe left or right to move between items on the screen. If you swipe up or down, it helps you control the volume or scroll through content, depending on what you are doing.
For effective TalkBack accessibility testing, you should also explore advanced TalkBack settings. These options allow you to adjust speech rate, verbosity, and gestures to match the specific needs of different users.
Setting Up Your Environment for TalkBack Testing
Before starting TalkBack accessibility testing, ensure your development machine and Android device are set up correctly. This setup helps you feel what users experience, enabling you to spot accessibility issues.
Required Tools and Software for Accessibility Testing
Good TalkBack accessibility testing requires key tools:
- Android Studio: The main program used for Android development, allowing access to your app’s source code.
- Espresso Testing Framework: Create automated tests to identify accessibility issues early in development.
- Accessibility Scanner: Check your app’s UI for issues like poor touch target size or missing content labels.
Step-by-Step Guide to Enabling TalkBack on Android
- Go to Settings: Open the “Settings” app on your device.
- Find Accessibility Settings: Locate the “Accessibility” option and click on it.
- Turn on TalkBack: Enable the TalkBack option and provide necessary permissions.
Use the volume keys shortcut by pressing and holding both volume buttons to activate TalkBack quickly. Customize its settings to suit your testing needs for better TalkBack accessibility testing.
Conducting Your First TalkBack Test
Once set up, open your app and navigate it using TalkBack. Pay attention to:
- Whether TalkBack explains each part of the app clearly.
- If important tasks are easily completed with audio feedback.
- Testing this way ensures the app is usable for users relying on TalkBack accessibility testing.
Navigational Gestures and Voice Commands
Learning TalkBack gestures is essential for effective testing:
- Linear Navigation: Swipe right/left to navigate items.
- Explore-by-Touch: Drag your finger across the screen to hear feedback.
- Double-tap to Activate: Select an item and double-tap to use it.
Understanding these gestures is crucial for thorough TalkBack accessibility testing.
Advanced TalkBack Testing Techniques
Customizing TalkBack Settings for Thorough Testing
Customizing settings like speech rate and verbosity provides insights into how TalkBack handles content. Adjust settings to identify issues missed in default configurations.
Using Accessibility Scanner alongside TalkBack
Combine Accessibility Scanner and TalkBack accessibility testing to identify and address more accessibility issues. While TalkBack simulates user experience, the scanner provides actionable suggestions for UI improvements.
Best Practices for Developing Accessible Apps
- Ensure good color contrast for readability.
- Add clear content labels for all UI elements.
- Design touch areas that are large and well-spaced.
Incorporate accessibility principles early to create universally usable apps. This approach will ensure smoother results during TalkBack accessibility testing.
Design Considerations for Enhanced Accessibility
When you design the UI of your app, think about some important factors that impact accessibility. If you pay attention to these details, you can make a better experience for all users.
- First, make sure there is a good color contrast between the text and the background.
- If the contrast is weak, people with low vision may struggle to see the content.
- You can use online contrast checkers or tools in your design software to check the right contrast ratios.
- Use clear and short content labels for all clickable parts of your UI.
- These labels help screen readers read them aloud for users who can’t see visual signs.
- Make sure the labels explain what each element does.
- Think about the size and placement of buttons and touch areas.
- They should be large enough and spaced out well for easy use.
- This is especially important for users with motor challenges.
Implementing Feedback from TalkBack Users
Gathering feedback from TalkBack users is key to making your app easier for everyone. When you receive input from these users, you find out what works well and what does not in your app’s design.
Think about making it easy for TalkBack users to share their thoughts. You can use messages in the app, special email addresses, or online forums for this. When you receive their feedback, focus on really understanding the main problem. Don’t just try to fix the quick issue.
Making your app accessible is an ongoing task. Regularly ask for feedback from TalkBack users. Include their ideas in updates. This shows you value inclusion. It will greatly improve the app experience for everyone.
Conclusion
TalkBack accessibility testing is vital for building apps that everyone can use. By following this guide, developers can create inclusive apps, expanding their reach and demonstrating a commitment to accessibility. Let’s build a future where every user enjoys a seamless experience
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I enable TalkBack on my device?
To turn on TalkBack on Android phones is simple. First, open your Settings. Next, look for Accessibility and turn on TalkBack. You can also activate it by pressing and holding both volume buttons for a few seconds. You will hear a sound when it turns on.
- Can TalkBack testing be automated?
Yes, you can use automated testing for TalkBack on Android devices. Tools like Espresso, which works with Android Studio, allow developers to create tests that interact with TalkBack. This makes accessibility testing easier and helps reach better results.
- What are some common issues found during TalkBack testing?
Common problems seen during TalkBack testing include missing or unclear content labels, low color contrast, small touch targets, and tricky navigation. It is important to find and fix these issues to improve the accessibility of your Android apps.
by Chris Adams | Oct 15, 2024 | Accessibility Testing, Blog, Latest Post |
Finding your way online can be hard for people with disabilities. The web content accessibility guidelines, or WCAG, are here to help make web page content accessible to everyone, no matter their abilities. These guidelines offer a clear plan to create online experiences that are friendly and easy for all users. They focus on several major groups to ensure that everyone can enjoy the web.
Key Highlights
- WCAG 2.2 is the newest version of the web content accessibility guidelines. It adds nine new success criteria to make the web more inclusive.
- These guidelines help people with cognitive or learning disabilities, low vision, or those using mobile devices.
- The new criteria focus on important areas like how things look when focused on, the size of targets, dragging actions, and accessible authentication.
- WCAG 2.2 works well with assistive technologies. This helps everyone navigate and interact with ease.
- These guidelines are important for developers and content creators. They promote best practices for a better and friendlier digital space.
Overview of WCAG 2.1 and 2.2
WCAG 2.1 and 2.2 are rules made by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). They aim to make web content easy for everyone to access. WCAG 2.1 came out in 2018. This version aimed to help people with disabilities who use mobile devices.
WCAG 2.2 builds on WCAG 2.1. It gives more options to make web content accessible. This version focuses on ensuring better features for users with cognitive disabilities. It wants to make sure everyone has a better time when they use web content.
The Evolution of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
The path to WCAG began with W3C’s goal of making the internet fair for everyone. From the start, these guidelines have evolved and improved. WCAG 2.0 came out in 2008. This was an important development that created key rules for ensuring the web is accessible to everyone.
In 2018, WCAG 2.1 was launched. It introduced new success criteria. These criteria focused on the rise of mobile devices. They also took into account the needs of people with low vision and cognitive disabilities.
In 2023, WCAG 2.2 came out. This is the latest update in the work of WCAG. It focuses on improving online experiences for people with various disabilities. This update helps create a more inclusive web.
Key Objectives of WCAG 2.1 and 2.2
WCAG 2.1 and 2.2 aim to create rules that make websites easier to access, highlighting the benefits of WCAG. WCAG 2.1 made key updates for people with low vision. It improved rules for color contrast and offered more options for flexible designs. This guidance also helps make keyboard navigation better and supports people with cognitive disabilities.
WCAG 2.2 makes things better by adding new success criteria at the Level AAA and Level AA standard. It highlights the importance of accessible authentication within a set of web pages. It also suggests not using cognitive tests, such as CAPTCHAs. Instead, other better options should be used. The guidelines will also improve user interface component focus appearance, ensuring that there is sufficient color contrast between focused and unfocused states. This helps users easily see where their focus is when they use the keyboard.
The main goal of WCAG 2.2 is to improve on version 2.1. It wants to make the online world friendlier for everyone. The aim is to take away barriers. This way, all people can see, understand, find, and use the web easily.
Detailed Comparison Between WCAG 2.1 and 2.2
WCAG 2.2 is an update of WCAG 2.1, and there are important changes. Developers and content makers must learn about these changes. Understanding them can help you keep up with the new accessibility rules. This will make online experiences better for everyone.
A big change is that the “4.1.1 Parsing” success rule is no longer there. This rule was in WCAG 2.0 and 2.1. This change shows that HTML standards have improved. Now, with these new standards, parsing problems are solved automatically.
New Success Criteria in WCAG 2.2
WCAG 2.2 introduces nine new success criteria. These are designed to make web content more accessible. Some of these criteria target the needs of users with cognitive disabilities. Other criteria help make the web easier for everyone. Here is a table that lists these new criteria:
Success Criteria Description | Success Criteria | Description |
| 2.4.11 Focus Not Obscured (Minimum) | Ensures keyboard focus is at least partially visible, preventing it from being hidden behind elements like sticky headers. |
| 2.4.12 Focus Not Obscured (Enhanced) | Similar to the above, but requires the entire focus indicator to be visible, enhancing accessibility further. |
| 2.4.13 Focus Appearance | Defines a clearer standard for visible keyboard focus indicators by specifying a minimum size and contrast ratio. |
| 2.5.7 Dragging Movements | Requires that functionalities relying on dragging movements, like drag-and-drop, offer alternative single-pointer interactions. |
| 2.5.8 Target Size (Minimum) | Sets a minimum target size of 24×24 CSS pixels for interactive elements or requires sufficient spacing between smaller targets to prevent accidental clicks. |
| 3.2.6 Consistent Help | Mandates that if help mechanisms are used across multiple web pages within a set, they should maintain a consistent relative order for easy location. |
| 3.3.7 Redundant Entry | Discourages asking users to re-enter the same information within the same process, suggesting auto-population or selection of previously entered data. |
| 3.3.8 Accessible Authentication (Minimum) | Restricts the use of cognitive function tests (e.g., CAPTCHA) during authentication unless alternative methods or assistance are provided. |
| 3.3.9 Accessible Authentication (Enhanced) | Building on the above, this stricter criterion removes the exception for “object recognition” and “personal content” identification tests during the authentication process. |
Enhanced Focus on User Accessibility Needs
WCAG 2.2 is doing a great job in helping more users. It focuses on people with different needs, especially those with issues linked to cognitive function. These updates aim to make the web easier for individuals who struggle with memory, attention, or problem-solving.
One important change is the success criteria for Accessible Authentication. This change helps users log in without going through difficult tests. Now, people with cognitive disabilities can access websites and online services more easily. They will not have to face tough challenges.
WCAG 2.2 aims to provide clear and reliable help tools on websites. This is important because it helps users understand and find their way through online content. This is especially vital for people with cognitive disabilities who may need extra help to access the information.
The Impact of WCAG 2.2 on Developers and Content Creators
The launch of WCAG 2.2 is an important step toward creating a more inclusive online world. This change will affect developers and content creators. To follow these new guidelines, they need to update their technical work and content plans.
Developers need to know the new rules for user interface parts. They must make sure that keyboard focus indicators meet the updated standards, specifically ensuring that no part of the component is hidden and the area of the focus indicator is at least as large as a 2 CSS pixel thick perimeter of the unfocused component with a minimum contrast ratio. Content creators also have to learn about accessible authentication. They should find ways to cut down on repetitive entries. This is key for making a better experience for users.
Changes in Technical Requirements
WCAG 2.2 has important updates that make websites easier to use. A key change is about improving how users can use the keyboard. The new ‘Focus Appearance’ rule helps show keyboard focus better. This update is very helpful for users who cannot use a mouse.
One important change is to assist users who have trouble dragging things. The ‘Dragging Movements’ rule states that websites should provide other ways to complete tasks, like drag-and-drop. This change will make it easier for people with motor challenges to use the site.
It is important for developers to learn and use these new rules. This will help ensure their websites follow the latest WCAG standards.
Best Practices for Implementing WCAG 2.2 Guidelines
The best way to use WCAG 2.2 guidelines is to mix technical skills with user-friendly design. Here are some helpful tips to think about:
- Make Keyboard Accessibility a Priority: Your website should be simple to use with just a keyboard. Check all clickable parts, forms, and functions by using only a keyboard.
- Provide Clear and Consistent Visual Cues: Use strong color differences for text and backgrounds. Make sure the focus indicator is the right size and color according to WCAG 2.2 rules.
- Test with Assistive Technologies: Use screen readers and other tools. This helps you view your website like users with disabilities do. This view can reveal some accessibility issues.
- Give Alternative Content Formats: Add captions for videos, transcripts for audio, and text descriptions for images. This helps users who can’t access some formats to still get the content.
- Create Testable Success Criteria: Design your website to be easy to test. The new success criteria should be easy to check for rules. You can use automated testing tools, do manual tests, or a mix of both.
Legal and Compliance Aspects of WCAG 2.2
WCAG is not a law. However, it helps shape laws for making websites accessible in many places. If you do not follow these rules, you might run into legal issues. This can include lawsuits and fines.
It is important to know the laws where you live. You also need to keep your website updated to follow the latest WCAG guidelines. This is not just a good practice but also a legal need for many organizations.
Understanding the ADA and Section 508 in the Context of WCAG 2.2
In the United States, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 508 set important rules for making digital content easy for everyone to use. They do not directly require following WCAG guidelines. Still, many people use these guidelines to reach their accessibility goals.
Section 508 is a law that applies to federal agencies and any program that receives federal funds. This law states that electronic and information technology should be easy for people with disabilities to use. Courts often see the ADA as covering websites and mobile apps now. This is especially true for businesses that serve the public.
Organizations should focus on digital accessibility because of the current legal landscape. They need to follow the newest WCAG guidelines, including the recent rules from WCAG 2.2.
Global Accessibility Laws and WCAG Compliance
WCAG is now seen as the most important global standard for web accessibility. It is the base for accessibility laws in many countries, including guidelines for user agent interactions. In Europe, the European Accessibility Act (EAA) lists the rules to make different products and services accessible. This includes websites and mobile apps. The EAA relies a lot on the most recent version of WCAG 2.1.
The EAA does not require WCAG 2.2 right now. However, it aims to follow similar accessibility standards. This means that changes are expected. These changes will include the latest guidelines.
The use of WCAG in laws shows that digital accessibility is now a key right. No matter what the laws say, organizations must focus on WCAG conformance. This practice improves the online experience for all users.
Conclusion
In conclusion, web developers and content creators should understand the differences between WCAG 2.1 and 2.2. WCAG 2.2 includes new success criteria that focus more on what users need. This change impacts technical requirements and best practices. It is required by law to follow WCAG guidelines. Doing this helps include all users. Keep up with the changing accessibility standards. By doing so, you can create a more welcoming online space. If you need help with WCAG 2.2 guidelines, look for resources that can support your compliance journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the major differences between WCAG 2.1 and 2.2?
WCAG 2.2 has nine new success criteria that are different from WCAG 2.1. It focuses on important parts like focus visibility, accessible authentication, and target size. In short, WCAG 2.2 builds on the current rules we have. It also adds new rules to improve accessibility.
- How does WCAG 2.2 affect existing websites?
Existing websites should check out the new criteria from WCAG 2.2 and try to follow them. Although it is not required right now, using these guidelines will help users with disabilities. This will make the website more welcoming and easy to use for everyone.
- Are there new accessibility tests for WCAG 2.2 compliance?
Yes, new tests for accessibility are coming out. They will check if websites meet the success criteria of WCAG 2.2. These tests focus on several things. This includes focus appearance, target size, and contrast ratio, among other factors.
by Chris Adams | Oct 9, 2024 | Accessibility Testing, Blog, Latest Post |
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 is an important new version from the Web Accessibility Initiative. It aims to make the web easier for everyone to use. This includes better access to important status messages. This update introduces additional success criteria that improve on those in WCAG 2.0. WCAG 2.1 mainly focuses on how people with disabilities use technology. It pays close attention to assistive technologies and the growth of mobile devices. It also highlights key shortcuts and character key shortcuts to help users navigate web content better.
Key Highlights
- WCAG 2.1 adds 17 new success criteria. This makes websites easier for more people to use.
- The update is meant to help individuals with disabilities who use the internet.
- A major focus of WCAG 2.1 is mobile accessibility. It addresses the rise in mobile device use.
- This version improves experiences for those with low vision and users of screen readers.
- Developers now have new tools and resources. These will help them shift from WCAG 2.0 to 2.1 easily.
Understanding WCAG: An Overview
Web content accessibility means that everyone, including people with disabilities, can easily access and use online content. This includes various ways to interact with it, called input modalities, ensuring the use of input modalities is diverse and effective. This idea is a key part of WCAG. WCAG stands for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, created by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). When developers stick to these rules, they help build a digital environment where everyone can find and use information easily. This means that everyone feels included, no matter their physical or mental abilities.
WCAG is important for everyone, not just people with disabilities. A website that is well-designed and easy to access offers a better experience for all users. When web developers follow WCAG, they help make the web a nicer place for everyone.
The Evolution from WCAG 2.0 to 2.1
The move from WCAG 2.0 to WCAG 2.1 is important for making the world wide web easier for everyone. WCAG 2.1 adds more success criteria. It includes new criteria like motion actuation, which helps prevent accidental actuation. This update does not throw out what we already have. It improves and adds to the current rules. This change helps web pages meet the changing needs of users with disabilities.
The new success criteria highlight different challenges and chances in digital access. There are many mobile devices and different user needs. WCAG 2.1 puts more attention on mobile access. It also includes help for visual, auditory, and cognitive disabilities.
These changes aim to make the online experience better for everyone. They recognize the different ways people connect to the digital world. By addressing specific issues and using new assistive technologies, WCAG 2.1 helps create a fair and easy-to-use web for all.
Key Principles of Web Accessibility
Accessibility is about helping all people. This includes those with different abilities. It helps them to see, understand, and use web content. When developers work on web content accessibility, they want to make it simple for all kinds of needs and choices.
This effort is about finding new ways to share information. This includes giving text descriptions for pictures, adding captions to videos, and providing keyboard navigation options. Many people with disabilities use assistive technologies. These features help them have a better experience online.
When developers think about accessibility, they build websites for many people. This creates a friendly space for all users. By prioritizing accessibility in their work, they help create a more inclusive internet.
Major Enhancements in WCAG 2.1
WCAG 2.1 is an update that builds on the previous version. It makes important changes to help many users. These updates consider how technology has improved and how we depend on the internet. The aim is to make it easy for everyone to access web development.
A big change is happening in how people use their phones. More people are going online with their phones. Because of this, WCAG 2.1 introduces new rules. These rules help ensure that websites are shaped and look good on any screen size and position.
New Guidelines for Mobile Accessibility
WCAG 2.1 focuses on how many people are now using mobile devices and changes in web accessibility because of this. Its goal is to make sure there is no loss of information or parts of the content. The new guidelines take into account the unique challenges faced by users with disabilities when they use mobile devices, ensuring that a specific display orientation is not essential. For those with visual impairments, WCAG 2.1 emphasizes the need for a responsive design that uses CSS pixels. This means that the content should fit well on various screen sizes and resolutions.
The guidelines are about motor impairments. These impairments can make it hard for users to touch screens properly. WCAG 2.1 advises that interactive parts should have larger touch areas. This change helps users with motor impairments to use them without mistakes.
WCAG 2.1 uses mobile-focused rules to help developers create websites and apps for the many people who use mobile devices. These updates ensure that everyone has a better and more inclusive online experience.
Improvements in Visual and Hearing Accessibility
The look of web content is very important for people who need better access. WCAG 2.1 brings new useful features for users with low vision and for those who use various human languages. This is especially true for those who have low contrast sensitivity. The guidelines point out the importance of having a good contrast ratio between text and background colors. These major changes make text style properties easier to read. This all helps people read and understand content, no matter what their vision is.
WCAG 2.1 has improved rules for non-text content. It shows how important it is to use alternative text for images and graphics. This allows screen readers to share important visual details with people who are blind or have low vision.
The need for screen reader support goes beyond just adding alternative text. WCAG 2.1 advises web developers to use simple markup, ARIA attributes, and more tools. These practices help users understand the design of the website. They also assist in navigating the site and using its interactive features with screen readers.
Detailed Comparison between WCAG 2.0 and 2.1
Both WCAG 2.0 and 2.1 work to make the web better for all users. It’s key to know the differences between them to create websites and apps that everyone can use. The biggest difference is that WCAG 2.1 has new success criteria. These new success criteria focus on the needs of today’s technology and its users.
The new guidelines have the same rules as WCAG 2.0. They make the rules better. They also help more people access our digital world as it evolves. The next section highlights the key differences between these two versions. It shows how moving to WCAG 2.1 can truly make a difference.
Enhanced Criteria for Text and Images
Text and images are important for how people use a website. WCAG 2.1 introduces new rules to make these areas better. It knows that good formatting and alternative text descriptions matter a lot. This helps people with disabilities in understanding and using web content easily.
WCAG 2.1 helps with text spacing. It allows users to change how text appears to fit their needs. You can change the line spacing, add space after paragraphs, and adjust letter and word spacing.
WCAG 2.1 knows there are many images of text. It gives rules to make these images easier to access. Developers should use text alternatives whenever possible. This means they need to provide text versions of the images. This way, screen readers can read the text to users. It helps users who cannot see the image get the same information.
| Feature | WCAG 2.0 | WCAG 2.1 |
| Text Spacing | Addressed, but WCAG 2.1 provides more specific guidance | Encourages flexibility, allowing users to adjust spacing without loss of content or functionality |
| Images of Text | Use of text alternatives encouraged | Reiterates the importance of providing text alternatives for images of text for accessibility |
Advanced Navigation Accessibility Features
Navigation can be hard for people with disabilities. WCAG 2.1 has new tools to help users use keyboards better. This change helps those who have difficulty using a mouse or trackpad.
A key part of this is making keyboard focus easy to see. WCAG 2.1 says that we should make keyboard focus easy to notice. This helps people know where they are on the page.
For people who use single pointer tools, like a head pointer or mouth stick, WCAG 2.1 has guidelines for single pointer gestures. These guidelines help make sure that functions using multi-touch gestures, such as pinch-to-zoom, can also work in different ways. If you are using voice recognition software or a user agent, WCAG 2.1 shows the importance of clear form input data and the visual presentation of the additional content. It needs easy labels, clear instructions, and helpful error messages. This way, forms will be accessible and simple to use for people with cognitive disabilities.
Implementing WCAG 2.1 for Web Developers
Making changes to follow WCAG 2.1 can feel tough, but a good plan can help. Developers should view these guidelines as important rules for good web design. They also need to consider how to make their project accessible from the start.
Many resources can help developers meet WCAG 2.1 standards. Using these tools can make work easier. They assist developers in creating websites that everyone can use.
Tools and Resources for Compliance
To make sure web pages follow the WCAG 2.1 rules, you need the right tools, resources, and practices. Automated testing tools are very important. They help developers find accessibility problems early during development. These tools check web pages based on WCAG rules and give reports that point out areas that need improvement.
But using only automated testing is not enough. Manual testing remains very important. It helps find tricky accessibility issues. It also checks how users feel about the site. Including users with disabilities in the testing is crucial. This allows developers to receive helpful feedback. They can also make sure the solutions work well in real life.
Developers can use accessibility libraries and frameworks to make their work easier. These tools provide simple and accessible user interface components. They show what the purpose of user interface components is. This can help save time and lower the chance of mistakes. By adding accessibility from the start and using the right markup languages, developers can make sure their web pages and applications follow WCAG 2.1 standards.
Best Practices for Smooth Transition
Transitioning to WCAG 2.1 needs careful planning. This planning helps ensure users have a good experience and stops new accessibility issues from happening. Begin by looking at your current code to find problems related to the new rules. Do a thorough check to see what updates you need to make, especially in areas affected by the new guidelines.
- Ensure that new styles or features do not lead to any loss of content or function for users of assistive technologies.
- Test everything across different devices and browsers.
- Also, check it with assistive technologies.
- This will help ensure that all parts work well together.
- It will also help prevent any unexpected problems.
Preventing data loss is very important during this change. You need to create strong systems to manage errors. It is also key to give clear steps to users on how to recover data if something goes wrong. Following these best practices can make it easier for developers to switch to WCAG 2.1. This can reduce problems for users and keep the digital space fair and open for everyone.
Conclusion
In summary, it is important to know the differences between WCAG 2.0 and 2.1. This knowledge helps ensure websites follow accessibility rules. The change from 2.0 to 2.1 brings important updates in design, especially useful for mobile users and individuals with vision challenges. Using WCAG 2.1 provides clearer guidelines for text, images, and navigation, resulting in a more accessible internet for everyone. Web developers need to understand these new rules and should use available tools and best practices to easily follow WCAG 2.1. This change will improve the experience for people with disabilities. Additionally, Codoid has experienced testers familiar with accessibility testing, who can assist in ensuring that websites comply with these updated guidelines.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the main differences between WCAG 2.0 and 2.1?
WCAG 2.1 is an upgrade from WCAG 2.0. It includes 17 new success criteria. These changes focus on helping people with low vision. They also assist users with cognitive disabilities. Plus, there is better visual presentation for an improved experience.
- Why was WCAG 2.1 introduced?
WCAG 2.1 was created to keep up with new technology and how people use it. More people are using mobile devices today. We now understand cognitive disabilities better. Because of this, we had to add new content and rules. This helps everyone interact more easily.
- How can organizations ensure compliance with WCAG 2.1?
To meet WCAG 2.1 standards, you need a good plan. First, learn about the new Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. Next, use the tools and resources that are available. Testing is important, so make sure to test everything well. Also, listen to user feedback. This will help improve web content accessibility for everyone.
by Anika Chakraborty | Nov 3, 2022 | Accessibility Testing, Blog |
As mobile phones are the most commonly used gadget in the global space, it is highly important to ensure that it is accessible to everyone. According to a CDC estimate, one in four adult Americans has some form of disability. In today’s modern age where smartphones and mobile apps are an essential part of daily life for many, mobile app accessibility testing has definitely become the need of the hour. As a leading accessibility testing company, we have years of experience in testing both Android & iOS apps for their accessibility. With that experience, we have created this definitive Mobile App Accessibility Testing Checklist that will ensure your mobile apps are accessible.
Mobile App Accessibility Testing Checklist
There are so many aspects of a mobile application that has to be tested to ensure it is accessible to people with disabilities. At its core, we can use the POUR principle to check if the mobile app and its features are
- Perceivable: Check if information and user interface elements are presented in a way that users can perceive them with ease.
- Operable: Make sure the mobile app’s navigation is used so that it enables easy user interaction.
- Understandable: Ensure that the information and user interface functionality is understandable.
- Robust: Test if the mobile app’s features & functionalities are robust so that they can be reliably interpreted by a wide range of user agents, including users using assistive technology such as screen readers.
But the problem with such a mobile app accessibility testing checklist is that it does not cover the intricate actions that have to be done to ensure your mobile app is accessible. That is why we have created a categorized mobile app accessibility testing checklist that will provide you with definitive actions you’ll need to do in an organized manner.
Categorized Mobile App Accessibility Testing Checklist
By keeping POUR at the core, we have created this categorized mobile app accessibility testing checklist to make it easy for you to understand and navigate through our blog.
- User Interaction
- Navigation
- Notifications
- Form Labels & Validation
- Toggle Button
- Tables & Accordion
- Text & Color Contrast
- Images
- Audio & Video
- Animation & Motion
1. User Interaction
Accidental touches in any mobile app can be annoying to any user. But what could be just annoying to regular users can have serious impacts when used by people with disabilities. Such issues can worsen the user experience for all users in general. One such way to improve the user experience is by following this Mobile App Accessibility Testing Checklist that will ensure users have no issues with user interaction.
- Check if the click or touch target size is large enough for the user to touch their intended target without any difficulties. Also, make sure that the touch targets do not overlap.
- Even if there are any compact touch targets, ensure they are not placed adjacent to each other to avoid accidental touches.
- If multiple active elements have the same target, make sure those elements are grouped into a one-touch target.
- Ensure that the application doesn’t rely on kinetic motion (detected by the accelerometer) alone for inputs.
- Verify if the motion-sensitive features can be disabled by the users.
- Make sure the mobile application is not completely or too dependent on voice control or on gestures as it could limit usability in some cases.
- Check if the autocomplete suggestions are announced to the users when they appear and also validate if they are operable.
2. Navigation
Now that we have looked at the user interaction, let’s cover the navigational aspects in our Mobile App Accessibility Testing Checklist as it is a very common issue faced by many.
- Ensure that the mobile app screens have meaningful titles and tabs that convey their role, their current state, and their order in the total number of tabs to the screen reader.
- Verify if the buttons accurately convey to users their accessible name, role, value, and state through the respective screen reader.
- Check if a button or an active image used as a button conveys their correct trait or role.
- Make sure the role and purpose of a hyperlink are clearly specified in the anchor text as generic texts like ‘Click Here’ will confuse a user using TalkBack/VoiceOver.
- Check if the progress bars convey their visible name, role, and current value to TalkBack/ VoiceOver users with a descriptive and unique accessibility label.
- Verify if the slider controls and switch controls have a visible label that is programmatically associated using the accessibility label property.
- Verify if the button that opens the menu has a clear and descriptive title or must have an accessibility label that accurately conveys its purpose.
- Test if users using screenreaders are able to dismiss the menu and when they do so; check if the focus returns to the triggering button correctly.
3. Notifications
The most important function of a mobile app notification is to grab the attention of the device user. But how can we make these notifications accessible for people with various disabilities? We can ensure these notifications are designed with actual mechanisms including visual, auditory, and vibration cues. Here are the checkpoints you’ll have to follow to achieve that.
- Test whether the dynamic content changes are notified to Talkback/ VoiceOver users through spoken accessibility announcements or focus management.
- Ensure that the user login session doesn’t timeout without providing any accessible timeout warning or a session extension method.
- Verify whether all alerts include a title and a description and that are announced through Talkback/VoiceOver or if they grab the user’s attention.
- Validate if the Modal dialogs capture the focus of the screen reader and trap the keyboard. Make sure the presented dialogs are given focus until dismissed by the user.
4. Form Labels & Validation
Form labels and Validation are especially important in making a mobile app accessible as it ensures the users are able to easily provide their input when needed. They are generally read by a screen reader and the form fields also receive focus whenever it requires user inputs. So next up in our mobile app accessibility testing checklist, we’ll be covering what aspects you’ll have to check to ensure disabled users can use their assistive technologies to full effect.
- Ensure that the native date picker controls which are exclusive to android are used over plain text inputs or custom date picker controls.
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- Test if controls using UIPickerView which is exclusive to iOS are programmatically connected with their visible label.
- If there are any inputs that require a star rating or any rating in general, ensure they have accessible names that be conveyed to the end user.
- Ensure that the label text is visible to the end-users at all times and they are programmatically associated with their corresponding control elements.
- Check whether the groups of related inputs convey their group legend text to the TalkBack/VoiceOver users.
- Validate if the radio buttons convey their individual label, group legend, and checked state to the end-users.
- Check if the Select dropdown controls have an associated visible text label.
- Ensure that the users receive effective, understandable, and properly labeled text-based notifications for form validation signals and errors.
5. Text & Color Contrast
Sometimes the text color, contrast, and size can make it hard for people with visual impairments to read. So in our mobile app accessibility testing checklist, we’ve listed all the major points you’ll need to cover in this regard.
- Test if sections of content whose language is different from the mobile app’s default language are programmatically identified and marked in a way that allows assistive technology to find them.
- If any information is conveyed through color or a change in color, ensure it is accompanied by a programmatically-discernible text alternative.
- Check if the contrast ratio for small text is at least 4.5 to 1 with the background and if the contrast ratio of large text is at least 3 to 1 with the background.
- When text or images are used to replace color to convey information, make sure it correctly conveys the same information.
6. Toggle Button
Understanding the state of toggle buttons can be very tricky for people with disabilities. Since toggle buttons are commonly used in numerous mobile apps you’ll have to follow the below-mentioned actions.
- Ensure the state of the toggle button is conveyed to the end user.
- Make sure that the toggle button conveys an accessible name with programmatically associated and visible labels that convey their state.
- Check if the image toggle buttons have descriptive and accurate alternative text provided in the accessibility label.
7. Tables & Accordion
Though we may not see many tables and accordions, few mobile apps might actually use them or different forms of them in a feature. Without the right tests, understanding tables can truly become a huge challenge, especially when using assistive technologies such as screen readers. So let’s look at the checkpoints you’ll need in our mobile app accessibility testing checklist.
- Test if the screen reader is able to read the accessible names of the accordion components.
- Make sure the screen reader announces if the component is in the expanded or collapsed state.
- Check if the data in the tables are in a logical reading order and if the screen reader is announcing the correct row and column header text to the users.
- Verify if the sorted state of a sortable table column header is conveyed to the users.
8. Images
Thanks to fast internet speeds on mobile data, almost every mobile app today uses images. So images are the next focus area in our mobile app accessibility testing checklist where we tell you how you can use alt text correctly.
- Test if images that convey valuable information have an accessibility label or appropriate alternative text that describes the image or presents the same information as the image.
- But if there are any decorative or redundant images in the mobile app, make sure that such images don’t have any alternative text equivalents as they should be hidden from the screen readers.
- Make sure images of text are not used as they should not be used if the same output can be achieved using real text. Logos with the company name are examples of when images can replace text.
- Test if the image button controls have a proper content description.
- If your mobile app uses custom emojis, check if they have appropriate alternative text.
9. Audio & Video
Few mobile apps might use audio & videos or few apps might be used exclusively to stream video or audio over the internet or playback the files in the internal storage system. So based on the use case, make sure to follow the specified actions to ensure they are accessible.
- Test if all the pre-recorded multimedia content (Videos & Audio) and narration events that contain dialog and/or narration must be accompanied by synchronized captions.
- Likewise, check if videos have audio descriptions or separate audio-described versions for users who have vision disabilities.
- Make sure all prerecorded videos and audio used in the mobile app have text transcripts.
- Verify if the SeekBar sliders have TextView labels.
- If the mobile app uses any sound effect used to convey the success or failure of a process, make sure there are alternative ways to convey the same information.
10. Animations and Motion
Every mobile application will have a certain number of animations and motions to make it visually appealing to its users. But these can also be a challenge for users with seizures as sudden & continuous flashes of light might be a trigger. Here are some of the ways you can achieve your goal.
- If there is a Carousel of multimedia content, check if there is a way to stop the Carousel’s movement.
- Validate if the users are able to disable any non-essential motion-sensitive visual effects.
- Make sure that the content doesn’t flash more than three times a second and that it doesn’t violate the general flash thresholds as it could affect people with seizures.
- Ensure that the progress spinners or other similar loading effects have proper alternative text to ensure the information is conveyed.
- Likewise, test if they immediately receive focus so that the screen reader can announce their accessible name to the users.
Conclusion
We hope this Mobile App accessibility testing checklist walked you through the key components, such as general objectives, necessary testing procedures, suggested testing, and unique considerations to build a mobile app with all the necessary accessibility features. Apart from enabling the mobile app to be accessible to people with disabilities, such type of testing will also enhance the overall user experience of regular users.
Another aspect that makes it a win-win situation is that you can steer clear of any legal trouble by ensuring your mobile app is accessible. Based on the location you operate your mobile app or website, there are legal grounds for people to sue you if the products are inaccessible. Over the years we have delivered top-notch accessibility testing services for testing websites, e-learning platforms, mobile apps, and so on for our customers who have truly benefited from creating accessible products and services.
by Arthur Williams | Sep 15, 2022 | Accessibility Testing, Blog |
Wrong clicks and incorrect touches can be annoying to any user. But what could be just annoying to regular users can have serious impacts when used by people with disabilities as such issues could render the product unusable. That is why WCAG introduced the Success Criterion 2.5.2 for Pointer Cancellation in WCAG 2.1. Understanding Success Criterion 2.5.2 Pointer Cancellation is very important as it has to be fulfilled to achieve Level A compliance. So in this blog, we will be exploring the different conditions that have to be satisfied and get to know the exceptions by using examples. But before that, let’s take a deeper look at why Pointer Cancellation is very important for people with disabilities.
UNDERSTANDING SUCCESS CRITERION 2.5.2 POINTER CANCELLATION
The 2.5.2 Pointer Cancellation success criterion belongs to the 2.5 guidelines of WCAG 2.1 that deals with input modalities for making it easier for people with disabilities to use more input methods other than the keyboard. Visually challenged people might use a braille keyboard and be unable to use a mouse or touch input devices. But people with other disabilities such as hearing loss or even color blindness will be able to use a mouse or provide touch inputs as well. But the primary focus of the 2.5.2 Pointer Cancellation success criterion is to help people with motor-based impairments and cognitive disabilities as they are prone to making more mistakes.
Pointer Cancellation can be compared to the undo button that is present in most applications. For example, if we accidentally delete all the selected text in Microsoft Word or Google Docs, we would just hit the undo button and fix the issue. But it is not that simple when it comes to using the web as people might be taking an important online test or making a purchase and so on. So WCAG has given 3 options for us to choose from as the 2.5.2 Pointer Cancellation success criteria will be satisfied even if one of the 3 conditions is met.
The 3 Conditions in 2.5.2 Pointer Cancellation
Before we move forward in our effort to understand the 2.5.2 Pointer Cancellation success criterion, we’ll have to know what Up and Down events are. If we were to take the mouse as an example, the down event is the process of pressing the button down, and the up event is the process of releasing the pressed button. The same applies to touch-enabled devices as well where touching a part of the screen is the down-event and releasing your hand is the up-event.
For example, let’s say there is a button to mute the audio output. You can observe in the illustration that the audio will not be muted when the button is pressed down (Down-Event) and that the functionality will be carried out when the button is released (Up-Event).
No-Down-event
One of the best ways to achieve pointer cancellation is by ensuring that the function is not carried out with the down-event completion alone. So if you are holding the mouse button down, the action should be completed only when you let it go (When the up-event happens). By doing so, there will be an option to abort or even reverse the click when the up-event happens.
The Exception
But there are a few exceptions when it comes to the 2.5.2 Pointer Cancellation success criterion as not all functionalities can be developed in a way that prevents a no-down-event. Let’s take an example of a piano application where a key press or touch input will mimic the action of the keys of a piano getting pressed. Such a scenario can be an exception as there might be a need for two or more keys to be pressed simultaneously to produce a particular sound. In addition to that, the duration of the key press will also determine how long the sound will be actively produced.
Up-event abort or Undo
So if ensuring that the down press does not affect functionality until the key is released, the next step would be to define a target area around the click. By doing so, we can enable users to move out of the target area if they have clicked incorrectly and then perform the up-event to either abort the operation or undo it.
Example
The drag and drop feature is a very great example as there will be a target area from where the file is being dragged to where it is being dropped and if at all the user has dragged the wrong file, then they can just undo their action by dropping the item outside the target area. Even if it is not a drag-and-drop feature, the users must be able to just move away from the target area before performing the up-event to abort the down-event.
Up Reversal
This is also similar to the up-event abort or undo function we have seen thus far in terms of the 2.5.2 Pointer Cancellation success criterion. But it serves a different purpose instead of aborting or undoing an action. It can be used for functions that use press and hold actions. So it will only hold the effect of a down-event until the up-event is performed.
Example:
Activating or viewing a pop-up is a great example of a press-and-hold action. If a user clicks on a pop-up or a pop-up video the down-event will ensure that the pop-up stays open or active until the up-event is performed. It will revert back to the state it was in before the down-event.
A Quick Tip
Even if we follow such conditions, users are prone to make mistakes by performing both the down and up events quickly unaware that they have made a mistake. So if you are working on pages that don’t support the back button such as payment gateways, online examination submissions, and so on, it is always better to use a confirmation pop-up.
Example:
If we take an online examination itself as an example, the submit button shouldn’t work on a single click as an incorrect click might end the exam for the participants abruptly. So a pop-up that confirms if the user is ready to submit their answers and end the examination should be mandatory to ensure incorrect outcomes.
Conclusion
We hope you have clearly understood Success Criterion 2.5.2 Pointer Cancellation by now and will be able to implement your gained knowledge while testing a product. As one of the leading accessibility testing services providers in the industry, we are experts when it comes to testing in accordance with WCAG’s success criteria. We will continue to share more informative content and recommend you subscribe to our newsletter to keep yourself updated on software testing.
by Anika Chakraborty | Jun 16, 2022 | Accessibility Testing, Blog |
If you have made some significant investments in your business and haven’t already begun working on your website accessibility, these tax breaks may just be what you need right now. We all would be aware of the tax credits that help us with the costs incurred towards aiding accessibility like hiring a sign language interpreter for an event or a wheelchair ramp, etc. Likewise, there is a tax credit in the United States for having an accessible website as well. So in this blog, we will be seeing how you can avail the website accessibility tax credit and discuss the various additional advantages you can benefit from by having an accessible website. Apart from the many advantages, creating a barrier-free digital experience without any website accessibility challenges for all the people with disabilities is a much-appreciated initiative.
Website Accessibility Tax Credit
According to an article cited by Forbes, 71% of website users with disabilities will leave the site immediately if the site is not accessible and search for one that is more user-friendly. The major issue here is that it will shoot the bounce rate up and harm your organic rankings. So even after doing all the hard work to reach a valid user, you will miss out on reaping the benefits. So, it is very clear that having an accessible website has lots of benefits and one of them is the tax credit.
The website accessibility tax credit is primarily intended to encourage businesses to make their websites accessible by compensating the costs incurred in doing so. Under the IRS Code Section 44, Disabled Access Credit, companies who make changes to make their business accessible to people with disabilities are eligible for a $5,000 tax credit. Since your website is also seen as a part of your business, having an accessible website will make you eligible for the web accessibility tax credit.
How to Apply for the Website Accessibility Tax Credit
- To be eligible for the website accessibility tax credit, your company must have annual revenues of less than $1 million and have less than 30 full-time workers.
- If eligible, the businesses may apply for the tax credit via the IRS 8826 form.
- A tax of 50% is eligible for businesses whose list of eligible expenditures exceeds $250 but does not exceed $10,250 for a taxable year.
Note: These website accessibility tax credits are different from the tax deductions. They will be applied after the tax is determined, and the credit will be removed directly from the tax owed.
Additional Benefits of Website Accessibility
While website accessibility is a vital aim for encouraging more people to utilize the internet, it also has a direct influence on a company’s digital success. So let’s explore the additional benefits apart from the website accessibility tax credit that an accessible website can offer.
Enhanced Usability
The purpose of accessibility is to ensure access to information for individuals with disabilities and enable them to use the web services like everyone. But it also increases the usability of your website for all users and makes it easier for mobile phone users & old age users to view your content. Since the number of mobile phone users on the internet is on the rise, this is a key benefit that you shouldn’t miss out on. Although it is not possible to design a website that’s accessible to all, a few common modifications can go a long way in reaching a wider audience.
SEO Booster
Accessibility enablers like a proper heading structure, alt text, closed captions, and video transcripts are also effective SEO boosters that can help in the organic reach and ranking of your website and its content. Apart from that, the decrease in bounce rate that we discussed earlier will also improve the SEO health of your website.
Building a Positive PR
Positive PR can go a long way in helping boost your visibility. The value of your brand is impacted by the values and beliefs you stand for. Since web accessibility is universally agreed upon to be a necessity, projecting your brand’s efforts in ensuring that the disabled people’s right to information is fulfilled will definitely be a boom.
Higher Quality Code
Developing a site that is accessible is comparatively easier than making a site accessible due to various reasons. So if you are creating a website with the intent of making it accessible, you will observe that the code is cleaner and of higher quality. So the end result will be the reduction of bugs, better performance, and overall better usability.
But what if your Website isn’t Accessible?
Apart from helping a business attain digital visibility, success, and the website accessibility tax credit, accessible websites also protect it from legal issues. The number of website accessibility lawsuits is rapidly increasing with high-profile companies such as Netflix and Dominos facing such litigations. The rise of awareness with regards to website accessibility could be a major contributor to such litigations. So companies looking to stay away from any kind of discrimination accusations and legal actions should seek to incorporate online accessibility standards such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). They can also receive a Letter of Reasonable Accessibility attesting to the fact that their website has been audited and reasonable modifications have been made to help the individuals with disabilities.
Website Accessibility Challenges
Though you can perform basic checks from your end, it is always recommended to hand it over to the experts by approaching a web accessibility testing company as there are numerous challenges. It will also not be enough to make your site comply with the WCAG conformance levels and help you stay safe from legal actions. Even the smallest of accessibility issues can become obstacles that make it difficult or even impossible for impaired users to access, navigate, or interact with your website’s content. So here’s a list of the most common web accessibility challenges one can face.
- The size and nature of the website are factors as it will be hard to implement accessibility in large and dynamic websites.
- The scope for automation in accessibility testing is very minimal and so it would require a lot of manual effort.
- The testers performing the accessibility testing should be well-versed with all the WCAG standards to be effective.
- Performing accessibility testing is also very different from the other types of software testing because of the guidelines we have to adhere to. So there is a lack of good accessibility testers who can look past the guidelines and test with the user experience of the people with disabilities in mind.
- Not all disabilities are covered under WCAG or have the required aids to overcome the limitations.
- Despite the presence of WCAG, there are different accessibility laws around the world and you would have to comply with those as well.
Conclusion
The most obvious benefit of having an accessible website is that it helps people with disabilities enjoy the digital experience just like everyone else. But web accessibility doesn’t limit itself to just that, it also serves as a source for the $5,000 website accessibility tax credit, improves the SEO, enhances the overall usability, and so on. If you’re worried about how you’ll be able to attain the required compliance on your own, you could always reach out to an established web accessibility testing services provider such as us to attain the required accessibility compliance without having to burn a hole in your pocket. Our team of experienced accessibility testers here at Codoid is ready to help. We are passionate about making your website as accessible as possible to all users!
