Building More Inclusive and Accessible Mobile Apps: Lessons from My React Native Journey

When I first started developing mobile apps with React Native, accessibility wasn't my top priority. Like many developers, I focused on functionality, UI design, and performance. But as I gained experience, I realized that an app is only truly successful if everyone can use it, regardless of their abilities. Over time, I learned through trial and error how to make my applications more inclusive and accessible.

In this post, I want to share the key accessibility principles I’ve learned and how they can help create a better experience for all users. Accessibility is not just about compliance with WCAG guidelines—it’s about giving everyone the opportunity to interact with our apps.

1. Screen Reader Compatibility

One of the first things I learned was how crucial it is to make apps compatible with screen readers like VoiceOver (iOS) and TalkBack (Android). These tools enable visually impaired users to navigate apps through audio cues.

✅ What I do now:

• Add accessibilityLabel to important UI elements.
• Use accessibilityRole to clarify an element’s function.

Example in React Native:

<Button 
  title="Submit"
  accessibilityLabel="Submit form"
  accessibilityRole="button"
/>

🔹 Now, screen readers can accurately describe the button’s purpose.

2. Touchable Areas and Spacing

Early in my journey, I made buttons that were too small, making them difficult to tap. I later learned that touch targets should be at least 48x48dp to accommodate users with motor impairments.

✅ My new approach:

• Ensure buttons and touchable elements have proper padding.
• Avoid placing interactive elements too close together.

Example in React Native:

<TouchableOpacity
  style={{ padding: 12, minWidth: 48, minHeight: 48 }}
  onPress={handlePress}
>
  <Text>Submit</Text>
</TouchableOpacity>

🔹 This ensures users can easily tap the button without accidental touches.

3. Color Contrast and Readability

At first, I relied too much on aesthetic color choices, only to realize that some users couldn’t read my content due to poor contrast. Now, I check for a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for text against backgrounds.

✅ What I changed:

• Use high-contrast color combinations.
• Avoid using color alone to convey meaning.

🔹 Before (low contrast, hard to read)

<Text style={{ color: '#a0a0a0', backgroundColor: '#ffffff' }}>
  Hard to read text
</Text>

🔹 After (high contrast, easy to read)

<Text style={{ color: '#000000', backgroundColor: '#ffffff' }}>
  Accessible text
</Text>

🔹 Pro tip: Use tools like WebAIM Contrast Checker to validate contrast ratios.

4. Respecting User Accessibility Settings

I used to enforce fixed font sizes and animations, but I soon realized that many users customize their devices for better accessibility. Now, I respect their settings.

✅ My new approach:

• Allow font scaling based on system preferences.
• Reduce motion when users disable animations.

Example in React Native:

import { useWindowDimensions } from 'react-native';

const { fontScale } = useWindowDimensions();

<Text style={{ fontSize: 16 * fontScale }}>
  Scalable text for better accessibility
</Text>

🔹 This ensures text adjusts based on the user's preferences.

5. Supporting Multimedia Accessibility

I once built an app with great videos but no captions—excluding users with hearing impairments. Now, I ensure multimedia content is accessible.

✅ What I do now:

• Add captions to videos.
• Provide alternative text for images.

Example in React Native:

<Image
  source={{ uri: 'image.jpg' }}
  accessibilityLabel="Person holding a welcome sign"
/>

🔹 This allows screen readers to describe the image meaningfully.

6. Accessible Forms and Inputs

In the past, I didn’t always label input fields properly. Now, I ensure that every input has clear labels and descriptions.

✅ What I do now:

• Use accessibilityLabel and accessibilityHint for inputs.
• Announce validation errors clearly.

Example in React Native:

<TextInput
  placeholder="Email"
  accessibilityLabel="Enter your email"
  accessibilityHint="Must contain an @ symbol and domain"
/>

🔹 This helps users understand what is expected without visual cues.

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Final Thoughts: Accessibility is for Everyone

At first, accessibility felt overwhelming, but I now see it as an essential part of development. Every improvement makes a difference in someone’s ability to use an app. By following these best practices, we can create apps that are not just functional, but truly inclusive.

🔥 Key Takeaways:

✅ Support screen readers.
✅ Ensure large, easy-to-tap touch targets.
✅ Use high-contrast colors.
✅ Respect user accessibility settings.
✅ Provide clear navigation and structure.
✅ Announce feedback and errors audibly.
✅ Label form fields properly.
✅ Test with accessibility tools and real users.
✅ Make multimedia content accessible.

The best part? Accessibility improvements benefit everyone, not just people with disabilities. Let’s build apps that welcome all users! 💙

If you have more accessibility tips, feel free to share them in the comments below! 💬💡