App Accessibility Checklist 2024

: Make Your Screen Sharing App Work for Everyone

Here's what you need to know about making your screen sharing app accessible in 2024:

Accessibility is crucial - over 1 billion people worldwide have disabilities
It's not just nice-to-have, it's often required by law (ADA compliance)
Accessible apps benefit all users and can boost business results

Key features to implement:

Screen reader support
Keyboard navigation
Color contrast (4.5:1 ratio for normal text)
Text resizing (up to 200%)
Live captions

Testing is essential:

Use automated tools (axe-core, Lighthouse)
Do manual testing (keyboard-only, screen readers)
Get feedback from users with disabilities

Feature	Benefit
Clear visual cues	Keeps users focused
Keyboard shortcuts	Faster navigation
High contrast	Better readability

Remember: Accessibility isn't one-and-done. Keep improving based on user feedback and updated guidelines.

Basic Accessibility Features

Let's talk about making your screen sharing app work for everyone. Here are the must-have features:

Screen readers are crucial. They're the eyes for many users. In 2023, Microsoft found that 65% of accessibility issues were about screen reader compatibility.

"Screen reader support isn't just about compliance. It's about giving everyone equal access to information", says Jenny Lay-Flurrie, Chief Accessibility Officer at Microsoft.

To get screen reader support right:

Use proper HTML semantics
Add alt text to images
Make sure the reading order makes sense

Keyboard Controls

Not everyone uses a mouse. Keyboard navigation is key for users with motor disabilities. Here's a quick guide:

Action	Keyboard Shortcut
Navigate	Tab
Activate	Enter or Space
Close dialog	Esc

Make sure all interactive elements work with a keyboard.

Color and Design

Color isn't just for looks. It's about readability. WCAG says normal text needs a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1, and large text needs 3:1.

Here's a real example: When Twitter upped its color contrast in 2017, engagement jumped 10%. It's not just about following rules - it's about making things better for users.

Text Size Options

People need different text sizes. WCAG says text should be resizable up to 200% without breaking the layout or losing content.

Pro tip: Use em or rem for font sizes instead of px. This makes it easier to scale.

Visible Selection Markers

Focus indicators are a big deal. They help keyboard users know where they are on the page.

"Visible focus isn't just for keyboard users. It helps everyone understand where they are in the interface", says Sarah Horton, UX strategy lead at The Paciello Group.

To do it right:

Use focus styles that stand out
Make sure focus indicators work with all color schemes
Keep focus indicators big enough to see easily

Screen sharing is a must-have feature. But it needs to work for everyone. Here's how to make your screen sharing tools accessible:

Sound Settings

For deaf or hard-of-hearing users, sound settings are key. You need:

Easy-to-find volume controls
Options to mute specific people or all audio
Visual cues for who's talking

Zoom's "Sound Notifications" feature is a good example. It shows visual alerts when someone starts talking, unmutes, or raises their hand.

Clear images matter for all users, especially those with visual impairments. Remember to:

Use high contrast colors in your content
Skip complex backgrounds
Add zoom options for shared screens

Microsoft Teams lets users zoom shared content up to 500%. This helps people with low vision see details better.

Live Captions

Live captions are a big win for accessibility. They help people with hearing issues, non-native speakers, and anyone in a noisy place.

Platform	Caption Feature	Accuracy
Google Meet	Built-in live captions	Very accurate, shows speaker's name
Zoom	Auto or manual captions	Works with third-party services
Microsoft Teams	Live captions	Better accuracy now

"Build accessibility into your online meetings. Ask your audience what they need and manage their expectations." - Kate Bennell, Organisational Inclusion Coordinator at Sightsavers UK

Drawing Tools

Drawing tools should play nice with assistive tech. Make sure:

You can use all drawing features with keyboard shortcuts
Color choices include high-contrast options
Undo and redo are easy to find

GoToMeeting's "Smart Meeting Assistant" can transcribe and capture on-screen notes. This helps all participants review later.

Quick Keys

Keyboard shortcuts are crucial for users who can't use a mouse. Here are some common ones:

Action	Shortcut
Mute/Unmute	Ctrl + M
Start/Stop Screen Share	Ctrl + Shift + D
Toggle Captions	Ctrl + Shift + A
Raise/Lower Hand	Alt + Y

Screen Layout

A good screen layout is key for making your app work for everyone. Let's look at how to do it right:

Image Descriptions

Images can be tricky for some users. Here's how to fix that:

Add alt text to ALL images
Keep it short and sweet
Use the right HTML to link descriptions to images

The Be My Eyes app does this well. It uses clear image descriptions to help volunteers guide visually impaired users.

Clear Form Labels

Forms can be a headache. Make them better by:

Using labels that make sense
Linking labels to the right input fields
Giving clear instructions for tricky inputs

Fun fact: A 2020 WebAIM study found that 98% of top websites weren't fully accessible. Form labels were a big problem.

Clear Error Messages

When something goes wrong, users need to know why. Here's the deal:

Use simple words to explain the error
Tell users how to fix it
Make sure screen readers can find these messages

Google's Material Design says to put error messages close to the input fields they're about. It helps everyone use the app better.

Good navigation is crucial. For an accessible menu:

Use a logical structure
Keep menu items short and clear
Make sure users can navigate with a keyboard

Apple's design guidelines say to keep navigation consistent across screens, even when using a hamburger menu on small screens.

Multiple Input Options

Different users, different needs. Give options:

Let users touch, type, or speak
Allow customization
Make sure all features work with different inputs

Input	Example
Touch	Tap or swipe
Keyboard	Tab and shortcuts
Voice	Speak commands

Google Assistant is a great example. It lets users do tasks in different ways, including voice commands.

Communication Tools

Let's look at how to make your app's communication features work for everyone:

Chat Features

Text chat should play nice with assistive tech. Here's how:

Use semantic HTML for chat elements
Make sure keyboard navigation works
Give clear visual cues for new messages

Slack improved their accessibility in 2022. They added better screen reader support and keyboard shortcuts. This boosted user satisfaction by 23% among users with disabilities.

Everyone should be able to share files easily. Do this by:

Offering multiple upload methods (drag-and-drop, button click, keyboard shortcut)
Showing clear upload progress
Making sure screen readers can read file names

Dropbox introduced an accessible file picker in 2023. This led to 40% more successful file shares by users with disabilities.

Meeting Controls

Meeting controls need to be easy to use. Focus on:

Control	Accessibility Feature
Mute/Unmute	Clear visual indicator, keyboard shortcut
Video On/Off	High contrast toggle, screen reader announcement
Raise Hand	Multiple activation methods (click, keyboard, voice)
Leave Meeting	Easy to find, confirmation dialog

Zoom redesigned their meeting controls in 2023. This cut accidental exits by 30% for users with motor impairments.

Multiple Languages

Supporting different languages is key for global accessibility:

Offer interface translations
Support right-to-left languages
Provide real-time translation for chat and captions

Google Meet added live translation in late 2022. It supports over 100 languages and has boosted participation from non-native speakers by 45%.

Support Tools

Working with different assistive tech is crucial:

Be compatible with popular screen readers (JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver)
Support switch devices and voice control
Integrate with browser accessibility tools

Microsoft Teams worked with assistive tech providers in 2023. This improved the user experience by 60% for those using specialized devices.

"Accessible communication tools aren't just nice to have – they're essential for creating truly inclusive digital spaces", says Jenny Lay-Flurrie, Chief Accessibility Officer at Microsoft.

Testing

Testing makes sure your app's accessibility features actually work. Here's what you need to know:

WCAG Rules

WCAG 2.1 Level AA is the standard most places use. Focus on:

Color contrast
Keyboard navigation
Screen reader compatibility

Want a quick WCAG check? Try the WAVE Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool. It's free and shows issues right in your browser.

Device Requirements

Different devices need different things:

Device	What to Watch For
Mobile	Touch targets, screen rotation
Tablet	Zoom, text size changes
Desktop	Keyboard use, screen readers

Fun fact: In 2023, 40% more people used Google's Accessibility Scanner for Android. Mobile accessibility testing is getting big.

Testing Methods

Mix it up:

1. Automated testing

Use tools like Accessibility Insights or axe-core to find common problems fast.

2. Manual testing

Have your team try using only a keyboard or screen reader.

3. User testing

Get people with disabilities involved.

"Automated tools catch about 30% of accessibility issues. You need humans for the other 70%." - Jenny Lay-Flurrie, Microsoft's Chief Accessibility Officer

User Testing

Real user feedback is gold. Here's how:

Get testers with different disabilities
Give clear tasks and ask them to think out loud
Write down all feedback and fix the important stuff first

Dropbox learned this the hard way. In 2023, they fixed their file picker after users with screen readers had trouble. Result? 40% more successful file shares from users with disabilities.

Help Documents

Good instructions matter. When writing help docs:

Use simple words
Give step-by-step guides
Describe all images
Make sure screen readers can read it

Microsoft Teams redid their help center in 2023, focusing on accessibility. They got 60% fewer support tickets about accessibility features after that.

Setup Guide

Let's make your screen sharing app more inclusive. Here's how to add key accessibility features:

Developer Steps

1. Use semantic HTML

Give your content structure with proper HTML elements. This helps screen readers understand your app's layout.

<header>
  <h1>Main Heading</h1>
  <nav>
    <!-- Navigation items -->
  </nav>
</header>
<main>
  <article>
    <h2>Article Title</h2>
    <!-- Article content -->
  </article>
</main>
<footer>
  <!-- Footer content -->
</footer>

2. Make it keyboard-friendly

Users should be able to access all features using just a keyboard. Here's how Microsoft Teams does it:

Action	Keyboard Shortcut
Toggle meeting controls	Ctrl + Shift + Spacebar
Mute/Unmute	Ctrl + M
Start/Stop video	Ctrl + Shift + O

3. Add ARIA attributes

ARIA helps screen readers understand your app better:

<button aria-label="Share screen" aria-pressed="false">
  Share
</button>

Code Tools

Use these tools to boost accessibility:

Accessibility linters (like eslint-plugin-jsx-a11y)
Accessibility APIs (like Zoom's Closed Captioning REST API)
Color contrast checkers (like WebAIM's Color Contrast Checker)

Test Steps

Run automated tests with tools like axe-core or Lighthouse.
Do manual testing:
- Navigate your app using only a keyboard
- Use a screen reader
- Test with high contrast and zoom settings
Get feedback from users with disabilities

In 2023, Dropbox fixed their file picker based on screen reader user feedback. The result? A 40% jump in successful file shares from users with disabilities.

Device Support

Make sure your app works well on different devices:

Device	What to Check
Mobile	Touch targets, screen rotation
Tablet	Zoom, text resizing
Desktop	Keyboard navigation, screen reader compatibility

Fun fact: Google's Accessibility Scanner for Android saw 40% more use in 2023. Mobile accessibility is hot right now.

Help Files

Create clear, easy-to-use documentation:

Use simple language
Write step-by-step guides
Add alt text to all images
Make it screen reader-friendly

Microsoft Teams revamped their help center in 2023, focusing on accessibility. They cut accessibility-related support tickets by 60%!

"Accessible communication tools aren't just nice to have – they're essential for creating truly inclusive digital spaces", says Jenny Lay-Flurrie, Chief Accessibility Officer at Microsoft.

Summary

Let's recap the key points of our App Accessibility Checklist for 2024:

Legal and Ethical Imperatives

Making your app accessible isn't optional - it's often required by law. The ADA now includes mobile apps as "places of public accommodation." Plus, WCAG 2.1 gives a solid framework for web and mobile app accessibility.

User Experience Benefits

Accessibility features make your app better for everyone. Here's how:

Feature	Benefit
Clear visual cues	Keeps users focused in long meetings
Keyboard shortcuts	Makes navigation faster for all
High contrast options	Improves readability in any light

Business Impact

Accessibility is good for business:

87% of business leaders say it improves user experience
81% see higher customer satisfaction

Twitter's color contrast update in 2017? It boosted user engagement by 10%.

Key Features to Implement

1. Screen Reader Support

Make sure your HTML is semantic and all images have alt text.

2. Keyboard Navigation

Every interactive element should work with a keyboard.

3. Color and Design

Aim for a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text.

4. Text Size Options

Let users resize text up to 200% without breaking the layout.

5. Live Captions

Add accurate, real-time captions to all audio content.

Testing and Feedback

Don't skip testing:

Use tools like axe-core or Lighthouse for quick checks
Test manually with keyboard-only navigation and screen readers
Get feedback from users with disabilities

Dropbox learned this in 2023. After fixing issues for screen reader users, they saw 40% more successful file shares from users with disabilities.

Continuous Improvement

Accessibility isn't a one-and-done deal. Keep up with WCAG guidelines and ask users for feedback regularly.

As Jenny Lay-Flurrie from Microsoft says:

"Accessible communication tools aren't just nice to have – they're essential for creating truly inclusive digital spaces."

Make your app work for everyone. It's not just the right thing to do - it's smart business.

FAQs

Do apps need to be WCAG compliant?

Yes, mobile apps need to be WCAG compliant. Here's the deal:

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) sees websites and mobile apps as "places of public accommodation." This means they have to be accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities.

Here's the tricky part: The ADA doesn't give specific guidelines for digital accessibility. So, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has adopted WCAG as the go-to standard.

Federal courts have been using WCAG 2.1 Level AA as a benchmark in many accessibility-related decisions. This makes WCAG compliance a big deal if you want to avoid legal headaches.

Let's break down WCAG compliance for mobile apps:

Aspect	Details
Standard	WCAG 2.2 (as of November 2023)
Compliance Levels	A (minimum), AA (recommended), AAA (highest)
Key Areas	Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust

"WCAG conformance supports legal compliance, but WCAG isn't a law or regulation." - WCAG.com

So, WCAG isn't the law itself, but following it helps you meet ADA requirements and steer clear of potential lawsuits.

Want a real-world example? In 2016, a blind man named Guillermo Robles sued Domino's Pizza because their website wasn't accessible. Robles won, and Domino's had to make big changes to their website's accessibility.

To stay on the right side of compliance:

Regularly check your mobile apps for accessibility issues
Use accessibility tools to test against WCAG criteria
Get users with disabilities involved in your testing process