The power of digital services is undeniable, with over 1.3 billion people worldwide relying on them to complete essential tasks. This figure only scratches the surface, as many more individuals, including older adults and those with situational limitations, also benefit from technology that fosters inclusivity.
Building accessible apps and websites isn't just a moral imperative; it's also a shrewd business strategy.
This report, in collaboration with ArcTouch and Fable, scrutinizes the accessibility of 50 leading Android and iOS apps across five industries: Food & Delivery, Payments, Fitness, Shopping, and Streaming. Our analysis reveals a concerning reality: the vast majority of apps fail to provide an optimal experience for users with disabilities.
According to our findings, 72% of those relying on assistive technologies may encounter a poor or failing app experience in at least one step of their typical user journey. The implications are stark – app developers must prioritize accessibility to cater to this significant demographic.
While awareness about app accessibility is growing, our report highlights both progress and persistent challenges. Across industries, we found that only two apps achieved Great accessibility scores (above 85), with nine receiving a Failing grade. This emphasizes the need for consistent and robust implementation of accessibility features.
Contrary to popular perception, Apple's pioneering work in accessibility doesn't automatically translate to better experiences for users with disabilities. Our testing revealed that Android apps achieved a slightly higher average App Accessibility Score (56) than iOS apps (48). This disparity is largely attributed to a cluster of poorly performing iOS apps.
Native accessibility tools built into iOS and Android are valuable starting points, but they're not a silver bullet. Our analysis showed numerous instances where apps using these basic native components still failed to provide an accessible experience. Unlabeled icons, improperly grouped content, missing headings, and a lack of dynamic font support were common issues.
Real user testing is essential to truly understand where users with disabilities encounter barriers. To create inclusive experiences, app developers must go beyond simply using native components and actively test and optimize their apps for accessibility.
The Shopping industry received the lowest Industry Accessibility Score (41), a Poor rating. This is particularly concerning, given that this industry has the most direct benefit from inclusive design. A bad shopping experience for people with disabilities translates directly to lost sales – it's that simple.
The home screen is often the first and most important interaction a user has with an app. A poor home screen experience can lead to immediate abandonment, especially for users with disabilities who encounter accessibility barriers. Across all industries, we found that nearly half (48%) of home screen attributes received Poor or Failing scores, highlighting the need for prioritizing accessibility from the very first interaction.
As Joe Devon, Co-founder of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), aptly puts it: "Take the lessons from this report. Understand the opportunity – not just to do what's right, but to do what's best for your business and brand."
This comprehensive report is designed for brand and product leaders to identify trends and opportunities for improvement, empowering them to create inclusive app experiences that unlock new revenue streams and enhance their reputation.