Examples of widely used considerations, techniques and technical properties that determine accessibility of web content on smartphones and mobile content are listed here (see table 12).
Table 12: Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 considerations and techniques for mobile content
Principle | Consideration | Description |
---|---|---|
Perceivable | Small screen size | Make it easy to optimize content for small screens. |
Zoom/magnification | Methods for users to control text size on mobile devices. | |
Contrast | Contrast for varied environments, especially outdoors. | |
Operable | Keyboard control | Support external keyboards for various disabilities. |
Touch Target Size and Spacing | Make interactive elements touch- accessible with sufficient size. | |
Touchscreen gestures | Design for ease of use, considering screen reader users. | |
Device manipulation gestures | Provide alternatives for device manipulation gestures. | |
Placing buttons where easy to access | Consider ease of access for different user preferences and needs. |
Principle | Consideration | Description |
---|---|---|
Understandable | Changing screen orientation | Support both orientations and notify users of changes programmatically (Portrait/Landscape). |
Consistent layout | Maintain consistent layouts across pages / screen sizes. | |
Positioning page elements before scroll | Ensure vital information is visible without scrolling (for users with low vision). | |
Grouping operable elements | Improve touch target size and reduce redundancy for better usability. | |
Provide indication on actionable elements | Visually distinguish actionable elements for all users, especially those with vision impairments. | |
Provide instructions for touchscreen and device manipulation | Offer clear instructions for gestures, aiding discoverability, and usability. | |
Robust | Virtual keyboard for the type of data entry required | Setting the type of keyboard helps prevent errors and ensures formats are correct but they can be confusing for people who are using a screen reader. |
Easy data entry methods | Users can enter information on mobile devices in multiple ways such as on-screen keyboard, Bluetooth keyboard, touch, and speech. Minimize text entry. | |
Support the properties of the platform | Examine internal and external (with apps) consistency of mobile device features especially with Android OS as it allows external apps through Play Store. |