9 Must-Have Accessibility Features in Any App
With accessibility being all the rage due to the upcoming EU legislation making it mandatory from June 28, 2025, you might be wondering what an accessible app even looks like.
What are some of the most common accessibility features you should look out for?
In this article, we list and explain 9 accessibility features we think any app should have.
#1 Proper color contrast
Everyone should be able to SEE what you’ve written.
Adequate color contrast is crucial for users with low vision or color blindness. Grey text on a white background just won’t cut it.
Many platforms offer tools to check color contrast. (do we have any examples?)
Customizable color contrast is even better, allowing users to adjust it to their needs.
#2 Subtitles in videos
Include captions for all video content so users who are deaf or hard of hearing can follow along.
It goes both ways, however. For visual information in videos, provide audio descriptions that narrate what's happening on screen for users who are blind or have low vision.
If your app uses voice messages, offer a text-based alternative like text messaging.
#3 Images described with text alternatives
Every image, icon, and non-text element in your app needs a descriptive text alternative. This allows users who are blind or have low vision and rely on screen readers to understand the content.
Here’s an example:
Your e-shop app usually shows a shopping card icon with a number next to it.
The text alternative should read "Shopping cart - contains X items". This ensures everyone gets the full picture, even without seeing the icon.
#4 Focus grouping
Related to the previous point, when considering screen readers, you need to think about what information they read together with other information.
Most screen readers read information A, then wait for the user to swipe (or tap, or do any other action acknowledging they understood) before reading information B.
Here’s an example:
A credit card's due date in a banking app is 04/28. You’ll want to put the words “Due date” and “04/28” into a single focus group so that the screen reader reads them all together as information A.
#5 Replace “Click here” with “View account details”
Use descriptive phrases instead of ambiguous link texts.
Meaning your link should say “View account details” instead of “Click here”.
You might have to fight your copywriter a little, but the accessibility gains are well worth this fairly easy change (and that’s coming from a copywriter).
#6 Customizable font sizes
Some users with visual impairments need fonts to be bigger.
This doesn’t mean simply zooming in on the screen, but letting your users customize the font sizes.
The trick is to do it in a way that doesn’t break the app’s layout. A good UI designer should see you through this without much issue.
#7 Large touch-target areas
Remember the last time you tried hitting that small arrow in a dropdown list?
Sometimes, it’s a nightmare, even with average motor skills. Now imagine what it must be like for users with motor impairments.
Ensure that all touch elements, like buttons and links, are large enough and have sufficient spacing around them.
#8 Customizable time limits
For actions that have a time limit, such as automatic logouts in banking apps, provide users with the ability to adjust the timeout duration.
Some users need more time to complete tasks, or they may just need to wait a while longer for the screen reader to relay all the information.
A customizable timeout ensures they aren't unnecessarily locked out due to time constraints.
#9 Respect system-wide accessibility settings
Your app should be designed to work with the accessibility features built into the operating system.
You might think this should be taken for granted, but it rarely is.
iOS and Android often come with their own screen readers, magnification, and increased text size already built in. When users adjust their system settings for better visibility, your app should adapt accordingly without breaking the layout.
In no way is that the full extend of all the accessibility features possible, but it should give you a solid idea of what to look into and where to start.
It’s worth to have a chat with your designer who can help you move forward from here.
If you need a hand implementing accessibility into your own app, contact us. We’ll be happy to chat.
Remember, compliance with the law is just a part of it.
As a by-product, you’ll open up to more users and make your existing users much happier.
Good accessibility makes your app easier and more enjoyable to use, even for those who don’t necessarily need it.