Practitioner Views on Mobile App Accessibility: Practices and Challenges

2026-01-20

AI Summary

This study addresses the lack of cross-platform, globally informed accessibility guidance for mobile application developers, which has led to insufficient implementation in practice. Through a mixed-methods approach combining surveys and interviews with 110 developers across 43 countries, it presents the first systematic comparison of accessibility practices between iOS and Android ecosystems, uncovering platform-specific barriers and disparities tied to developers’ experience levels. Findings reveal that while developers generally recognize the importance of accessibility, their efforts are often limited to basic text-level features, hindered by inadequate testing, complex accessibility APIs, and insufficient organizational support. The results offer actionable recommendations for platform vendors, developers, and policymakers to bridge these gaps and advance inclusive mobile development.

Technology Category

• Humans and AI: AI for Accessibility
• Application Domains: Mobility, Driving & Flight
• Search and Optimization: Applications

Application Category

• Systems and Infrastructure for Web, Mobile and WoT: Web applications in cross-disciplinary domains and verticals such as mixed reality, smart cities, and digital health
• Responsible Web: Consent frameworks and practices on the web
• User Modeling, Personalization and Recommendation: Practical large-scale studies of user experience

Abstract

As mobile applications (apps) become ubiquitous in everyday life, it is crucial for developers to prioritize accessibility for users with diverse abilities. While previous research has identified widespread accessibility issues and raised awareness of developer challenges, there remains a lack of cross-platform, globally representative insights into how practitioners approach accessibility in practice. This paper presents findings from a mixed-methods survey of 110 mobile app developers across 43 countries, examining how platform ecosystems (iOS vs. Android) and developer experience shape accessibility practices. Results show that while developers recognize the importance of accessibility, they often rely on platform-specific guidelines and typically perform compliance testing late in the development process. Developers primarily implement text-focused features while struggling with API limitations and organizational constraints. Through systematic cross-platform comparison, we identify novel platform-specific barriers and demonstrate how accessibility practices differ across developer experience levels. Our findings offer new insights into the challenges of achieving accessibility in practice and provide actionable steps for various stakeholders to promote more consistent and inclusive app development.

Problem

• mobile app accessibility
• developer practices
• cross-platform comparison
• accessibility challenges
• inclusive development

Innovation

• mobile app accessibility
• cross-platform comparison
• developer practices
• accessibility barriers
• mixed-methods survey