The Importance of Accessibility in Indie Apps

Accessibility isn't an afterthought—it's a fundamental part of building great apps. Here's why it matters and how I'm implementing it.

Why Accessibility Matters

As indie developers, we might think "I'll add accessibility later." But:

1. 15% of users have some form of disability
2. Everyone benefits from good accessibility (elderly users, temporary injuries, bright sunlight)
3. It's the right thing to do

What I'm Implementing

VoiceOver Support

Button("Start Timer") { }
  .accessibilityLabel("Start 25 minute focus session")
  .accessibilityHint("Starts the Pomodoro timer")

Every interactive element has proper labels and hints.

Dynamic Type

All text scales with user preferences:

Text("FocusFlow")
  .font(.title)
  .dynamicTypeSize(.large)

Color Contrast

Using SF Symbols and ensuring 4.5:1 contrast ratio minimum. Testing with Xcode's accessibility inspector.

Keyboard Navigation

Full keyboard support for iPad users and those using assistive switches.

Testing Checklist

• VoiceOver can navigate all screens
• All buttons have accessibility labels
• Color contrast meets WCAG AA
• Dynamic Type doesn't break layouts
• Reduce Motion is respected

Resources

• Apple's Accessibility Guidelines
• WCAG 2.1 Standards

Building accessible apps isn't extra work—it's part of building great apps.