Mobile Accessibility Testing: Best Practices, Tools, and Scenarios for Inclusive Design

1. Preparation Phase
   • Select the platform to test (Android/iOS).
   • Refer to WCAG 2.1 guidelines or the standards established across the application to check compliance.
2. Activate Accessibility Settings
   • Enable TalkBack for Android or VoiceOver for iOS.
   • Simulate different conditions, such as vision, hearing, and motor skill impairments.
3. Create a Test Plan
   • Define which features will be tested (e.g., navigation, contrast ratio, screen reader compatibility, touch target sizes, etc.).
4. Conduct Manual Testing
   • Navigate through application screens using a screen reader.
   • Identify missing or insufficient alternative text descriptions (alt text).
   • Test the appearance of the application in high-contrast mode.
5. Use Automated Testing Tools
   • Run tools such as Accessibility Scanner on Android or Accessibility Inspector on iOS to identify technical issues.
6. Real User Testing
   • Test the application with a group of users with disabilities.

Scenario Name: Logging in with a screen reader as a visually impaired user.

Preconditions:

• A screen reader (TalkBack or VoiceOver) must be enabled on the device.
• The application to be tested must be installed and the login screen should be open.

Steps:

1. The user focuses on the “Username” field using a screen reader.
2. The screen reader reads out the description of the focused field (e.g., “Username, required for login”).
3. The user enters the username using the keyboard.
4. The user navigates to the “Password” field and the description is read out.
5. The user taps the “Log In” button.
6. A successful login message is read by the screen reader.

Expected Results:

• All form fields and buttons are correctly described by the screen reader.
• Navigation through the application follows a logical focus order.
• A feedback message is audibly provided upon successful login.

This scenario and test case serve as basic examples of accessibility testing. More detailed scenarios and test cases can be created depending on the complexity of the application being tested.

Android’s built-in screen reader. Used to test the application’s usability for visually impaired users.

How to Enable TalkBack:

1. Open Settings on your device.
2. Navigate to Accessibility and select TalkBack.
3. Enable “Use TalkBack.”

Provided by Google, this tool automatically scans for accessibility issues in the app’s interface and provides suggestions. Available on the Play Store.

Enables automated accessibility testing for Android applications.

Used to check the color contrast within the application, helping those with color differentiation difficulties.

Performs accessibility tests on real devices under various conditions.

iOS’s built-in screen reader. A comprehensive tool for testing user experience for visually impaired users.

Built into Xcode, this tool analyzes accessibility features, focus order, and interactions within the app.

IOS accessibility settings can be used to determine suitability for conditions such as color blindness.

How to Enable Color Filters:

1. Open the Settings app and go to Accessibility > Display & Text Size > Color Filters.
2. Choose the filter best suited to your needs by swiping through the sample options.

You will see three examples of color spaces to help you select an option that suits your needs. Swipe left or right on the examples to find the filter that works best for you.

From left to right, this example shows pens in rainbow colors, starting with red and yellow and ending with purple and brown.

This example displays three columns of color intensity.

This example shows vertical lines on a variable-colored background for color deficiencies. Select the filter that reveals the entire line. The moment you can see the entire line is when you have made the best color selection for you. This is used for individuals with disadvantages in color differentiation.

How to Enable Smart Invert:

1. Open Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size.
2. Turn on Smart Invert to reverse colors except for images, media, and some apps.

If you benefit from viewing elements against a dark background, you can use Invert Colors to change how content appears on your screen.

Smart Invert reverses the colors on the screen except for images, media, and some apps that use dark color styles.

Classic Invert reverses all the colors on the screen. This feature can be used for individuals with color sensitivity.

Used for testing accessibility issues at the code level.

Used alongside external tools to check app color contrast.

• Mobile accessibility testing ensures that applications can be used effortlessly by users with disabilities, following WCAG 2.1 standards.
• The testing process evaluates screen reader compatibility, contrast ratios, focus order, and touch target appropriateness.
• Tools like TalkBack and Accessibility Scanner for Android, and VoiceOver and Accessibility Inspector for iOS, are commonly used.
• Both manual and automated methods are employed to identify issues.
• Testing with real users enhances understanding of accessibility challenges.
• Test scenarios cover form filling, navigation, and feedback processes for screen reader users.
• Successful testing ensures that applications are equally accessible to all users.