Enhancement of iOS Application Accessibility: Automation of Testing and Guidelines
Name
Karina Karimova
Abstract
Mobile application accessibility is an essential part of user interface and experience, that ensures all individuals, regardless of their disabilities such as blindness, low vision, or color blindness, can access and use the functionalities of the digital product successfully. Considering the widespread use of smartphones and the fact that they have become an indispensable part of daily routines, it is crucial to enhance the accessibility level of mobile applications.
The primary objective of this study was to contribute to the development of more inclusive mobile apps, specifically those based on the iOS platform offered by Apple. There is a lack of cost-free automated tools that can help identify accessibility issues of mobile applications. Thus, an automated testing tool, named Open Accessibility Tool (OAT), with accessibility faults detection and descriptive error reports has been developed.
The OAT tool is based on a preliminary in-depth exploration of the accessibility guidelines required by European Union regulations, generally accepted industry standards, and Apple's UI design principles. Guidelines and their Success Criteria are assessed regarding their capability for automated testing on iOS. Based on these prerequisites, the developed tool can help applications to ensure compliance with accessibility criteria.
Considering the significance of this subject and its dynamic nature, OAT was developed as an open-source library, offering convenient options for expanding its functionalities by using modulated architecture and a modern technical stack. Tool quality is ensured by an extensive code coverage encompassing all prevailing accessibility checks.
The OAT tool was checked on sample projects. Additionally, a comparative analysis has been conducted against the solution available in the market. The results showcase OAT's superiority in terms of the quantity of identified issues over the competing free-of-cost alternative.
The primary objective of this study was to contribute to the development of more inclusive mobile apps, specifically those based on the iOS platform offered by Apple. There is a lack of cost-free automated tools that can help identify accessibility issues of mobile applications. Thus, an automated testing tool, named Open Accessibility Tool (OAT), with accessibility faults detection and descriptive error reports has been developed.
The OAT tool is based on a preliminary in-depth exploration of the accessibility guidelines required by European Union regulations, generally accepted industry standards, and Apple's UI design principles. Guidelines and their Success Criteria are assessed regarding their capability for automated testing on iOS. Based on these prerequisites, the developed tool can help applications to ensure compliance with accessibility criteria.
Considering the significance of this subject and its dynamic nature, OAT was developed as an open-source library, offering convenient options for expanding its functionalities by using modulated architecture and a modern technical stack. Tool quality is ensured by an extensive code coverage encompassing all prevailing accessibility checks.
The OAT tool was checked on sample projects. Additionally, a comparative analysis has been conducted against the solution available in the market. The results showcase OAT's superiority in terms of the quantity of identified issues over the competing free-of-cost alternative.
Graduation Thesis language
English
Graduation Thesis type
Master - Software Engineering
Supervisor(s)
Ishaya Peni Gambo
Defence year
2023