Erstgespräch

Accessibility

2 Min. reading time App-Oberfläche

Accessibility means that an app is designed so that everyone can use it—including users with physical, sensory, or cognitive disabilities. This includes, among other things, screen reader support for blind people, high contrast for the visually impaired, large touch areas for people with motor impairments, and structured content for people with learning disabilities. Accessible apps are inclusive, often required by law, and improve usability for everyone.

🔧 Technical Explanation – Accessibility in React Native with Expo

React Native already comes with many accessibility features—and Expo fully supports them without any additional native configuration.

Key Features & Tools:

  1. Accessibility for Screen Readers
    • accessible={true} – marks a UI element as an interactive object
    • accessibilityLabel="Back" – alternative text for screen readers
    • accessibilityHint – explains what happens (e.g., “Opens the menu”)
  2. Proper Structure
    • Headings, paragraphs, and buttons should be logically grouped
    • Avoid nested touchables without a purpose
  3. Focus Control
    • accessibilityRole="button", "link", "header", etc.
    • Enables screen readers to provide accurate announcements and navigation
  4. Contrast & Dark Mode
    • Text and background should have high contrast (at least 4.5:1)
    • Automatically support Dark Mode (use useColorScheme())
  5. Touch Target Size
    • Recommended size for buttons: at least 44×44 dp
    • Important for users with limited motor skills
  6. Animation Control
    • Users sensitive to motion should be able to choose reduced animations
    • Use useReducedMotion() (via context or native settings)

💡 Use Cases

  • Screen reader-optimized navigation & content
  • Accessibility features for forms and touch elements
  • Accessible color palettes & high-contrast text
  • Alternative feedback types (haptic, sound) for users with limited vision or hearing
  • Multilingual support + plain language

❓ Important Questions and Answers About Accessibility

Is accessibility in apps required by law? Yes—in many countries, including Germany (BFSG, BITV), accessibility is legally required for public and, in some cases, private apps. App stores (Apple/Google) also view accessibility positively. How do you test accessibility in an Expo app?

  • Enable screen readers (VoiceOver on iOS, TalkBack on Android)
  • Accessibility Inspector (Xcode) or Google Accessibility Scanner
  • Tools such as axe DevTools Mobile or manual testing with real users Does accessibility affect the look of my app? No—it simply expands access to existing features. Good accessibility means greater user satisfaction without visual limitations. How can I identify poor accessibility in my app? Typical warning signs:
  • Buttons without labels
  • Text with insufficient contrast
  • Important information presented only as an image or animation
  • Elements that are too small for touch interaction How much more does accessible development cost? If accessibility is considered from the very beginning, the additional effort is minimal. Retrofitting, on the other hand, can be time-consuming and costly.