Mobile apps have become an essential part of our lives, from daily communication and entertainment to banking, retail, healthcare, and finance. There is an app for practically everything. However, not all apps are created equal, particularly for those with differing abilities.
Accessibility testing ensures that apps are usable by everyone, regardless of their abilities. In light of an estimated 15% of the world’s population with a disability, it stands to reason that WCAG accessibility testing should be incorporated into the app testing pipeline. While some testers and development teams are prioritizing accessibility testing, the state of accessibility testing for mobile apps is always evolving.
In this blog, we will explore the meaning of accessibility testing for mobile apps and delve into why WCAG accessibility testing is a necessity for creating mobile applications that succeed in today’s marketplace.
Back to topWhat is Accessibility Testing?
Accessibility testing is the process of ensuring that your applications are usable to as many people as possible, including individuals with visual, hearing, physical, or cognitive impairments.
Back to top
The Importance of Accessibility Testing for Mobile Apps
Accessibility testing for mobile apps works best when incorporated into the software development lifecycle—it should not be treated as an afterthought. Not only is accessibility testing a regulatory necessity (see the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, Section 508, and the Americans with Disabilities Act), but it is also a commonsense component of any successful application. Making an app accessible to as many users as possible is both good business and the right thing to do.
WCAG accessibility testing is essential to delivering digital experiences that work for every user, and it is a legal obligation. Organizations must comply with standards and regulations including WCAG, Section 508, and the ADA. Falling short of those standards can lead to costly penalties, with fines ranging from $75,000 to $150,000.
Some benefits of accessibility testing for mobile apps include:
- Ensures usability.
- Meets legal requirements, like WCAG accessibility testing standards.
- Makes content accessible to all.
- Improves overall user experience.
Related Reading: The Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC): A Complete Guide >>
Back to topAccessibility Testing Use Cases
Now that we have established the importance of WCAG accessibility testing for mobile apps, it is important to note some specific accessibility testing use cases to illustrate how far-reaching it is when implemented. An accessible app should work with screen readers, speech recognition software, screen magnification, and much more.
Some components that should be accessibility tested include:
- Labels—Used by assistive technologies, like VoiceOver or TalkBack.
- Text contrast—Ratio between text or images and background color.
- Hit area size—Area designated for user interaction.
- View hierarchy of UI—Determines how easy the Android app is to navigate.
- Dynamic font size—Option for users to increase font size to fit their needs.
WCAG-compliant accessibility testing ensures that everyone can use your app while simultaneously helping your team comply with laws, thus reducing risk.
Back to topHow Automation Enhances Usability Testing for Mobile Apps
Accessibility testing is not just about finding bugs and defects within an app. It is about understanding the needs of users with disabilities and ensuring that the app is designed to meet those needs. This requires a combination of manual and automated testing, as well as user testing and performance testing.
Automation can help identify WCAG accessibility testing and other issues, such as missing alt text for images or improper labeling of form fields. When combined with manual testing, automation enhances an app’s accessibility and overall performance.
The following are some tips for automating accessibility testing to streamline your testing process.
Incorporate Accessibility Early On in the SDLC
To get the most efficient results, make accessibility testing your focus early on. This means thinking about the end result at the beginning of the SDLC. What will your app look like? What will a particular button do? If you know how your app is meant to function, developers can implement the functionality correctly and write automated tests to ensure that each component of the app functions properly from the get-go.
Automate Regression Tests for Accessibility
Automated regression testing is a technique that ensures apps function as they should after they have been updated or new code has been incorporated. Automated regression tests can be performed to specifically test accessibility throughout the app’s development process and post-release. Automating accessibility using regression testing keeps costs down while reducing the need for manual testing—all while ensuring your app continues to be accessible to all users.
Utilize the Right Accessibility Testing Platform
The right testing platform will help you automate accessibility testing, allowing you to test accessibility scenarios for both iOS and Android. In addition, the right platform will ensure that your apps meet both Apple and Google human interface guidelines for a winning app that is not only accessible, but also successful long-term.
For instance, see how a leading European insurance company utilized Perfecto to achieve global scalability, improved collaboration, and significant cost reductions through centralized cloud-based testing.
Back to topPerfecto Adds Support for VoiceOver and TalkBack
Perfecto is proud to lead the market with support for accessibility testing with VoiceOver and TalkBack--without the need for physical devices in hand. With the latest accessibility testing launch from Perfecto, testers can test on devices in the cloud, gaining an advantage over competitors. Furthermore, teams can eliminate their dependency on having physical devices in hand and increase automation, scalability, and speed.
Bottom Line
Perfecto is the ideal platform for accessibility testing. Built on Appium, Perfecto facilitates the testing of a wide range of accessibility scenarios while ensuring that your app keeps up with today’s ever-evolving technological landscape, ensuring your app remains accessible to all users.
Some of the advantages of accessibility testing with Perfecto include:
- Unified testing
- Advanced automation.
- Full toolchain integration.
- All results in one place.
- Accelerated testing.
- Shift Testing Left.
- WCAG accessibility testing compliance.