There are currently 2.9 million apps available on the Google Play store. With statistics like that, it’s likely that your business either has an app or is considering developing one. For those managing an app, it is essential to consider accessibility in all stages of its lifespan, including development, launch, and updates.
26% of adults in the US have a disability. That’s 61 million people! Chances are someone with a disability is using your app, and with more than half of all apps updating at least once a month, paying attention to accessibility in your updates is crucial.
Update timing
The timing of app updates is an often disregarded point that would be beneficial to consider more intentionally.
Many people with disabilities use their phones as accessibility aids. Some phones are compatible with hearing aids, and some go above and beyond, connecting via Bluetooth to provide multiple audio controls. Text-to-speech apps on smartphones are useful and popular amongst people with vision loss, and there are a multitude of other apps and functions used by people with disabilities daily.
If the timing of your app update disrupts the availability of any of these features, it can put users who rely on them at a severe disadvantage and may even put them in danger. Even if your app updates in the background, it may still interfere with other apps. Scheduling updates late at night or early in the morning may be a better choice to minimize any disruption to the lives of people with disabilities.
Automatic updates
Automatic app updates are usually the standard nowadays, but some apps still require manual installation. This can create a barrier for people with certain disabilities, preventing them from accessing the most current version of your app. People with vision loss, for example, may have difficulty manually installing the update and may miss out on a new function of your app that gives a member-only discount. That would be exclusionary and unfair.
To prevent people with disabilities from having problems installing updates, make all updates automatic. That way, the update downloads and installs from the user’s app store without requiring them to take action, leaving them free to enjoy all the updated features you worked so hard on.
Accessible app features
Of course, be sure that all the features you include in your app are accessible in their own right. Updates should not come at the expense of accessibility. You should not, for example, replace a photo with alt text with a video without captions. This would be a step backward, and you must always strive toward continuous improvements in accessibility, including in-app content and performance.
Review what makes an app accessible. Make sure all videos have captions, all photos have appropriate alt text, and that you have provided descriptive audio. Do routine accessibility audits to ensure compliance with ADA and accessibility guidelines and standards. Keeping your app up to date with accessibility requirements is crucial and leaves room for you to make cosmetic and bug fixes more frequently.
Conclusion
Making your mobile app accessible doesn’t just stop when you have completed the app. You must continue to maintain accessibility through app updates, from the timing of update releases to the content. Keeping accessibility in mind will help you keep your company in line with accessibility requirements.
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