--- title: The Importance of Building Your Mobile App to WCAG 2.0 Standards description: Building a mobile app that meets WCAG 2.0 standards is beyond important in order to provide customer service, be inclusive, and avoid legal problems. image: https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/GettyImages-952414660.jpg --- - [skip to menu](https://blog.usablenet.com/the-importance-of-building-your-mobile-app-to-wcag-2.0-standards#nav) - [skip to content](https://blog.usablenet.com/the-importance-of-building-your-mobile-app-to-wcag-2.0-standards#main-content) - [skip to footer](https://blog.usablenet.com/the-importance-of-building-your-mobile-app-to-wcag-2.0-standards#footer) Test the accessibility of your website for free! Try UsableNet AQA. 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[Get Help with EN 301 549 Compliance](https://info.usablenet.com/eaa-en-301-549-compliance) - [Who We Serve](https://usablenet.com/strategic-relationships) ## Industry [E-commerce and Consumer Goods](https://info.usablenet.com/e-commerce-accessibility-solutions) [Food Service and Hospitality](https://info.usablenet.com/-industries-food-service-hospitality) [Banking and Financial Services](https://info.usablenet.com/industries-financial-services) [Healthcare](https://info.usablenet.com/industries-healthcare) [Technology and Business Services](https://info.usablenet.com/-industries-technology-and-business-services) [Public Sector and Education](https://info.usablenet.com/industries-public-sector-and-education) ## Compliance [Canadian Accessibility Laws](https://info.usablenet.com/compliance-canada) [European Accessibility Laws](https://info.usablenet.com/eaa-en-301-549-compliance) [Other International Accessibility](https://info.usablenet.com/compliance-international) [United States Accessibility Laws](https://info.usablenet.com/compliance-united-states) 2026 Midyear report on digital accessibility lawsuits in the US [Download Now](https://info.usablenet.com/2026-midyear-report) - [Pricing](https://usablenet.com/pricing) - [Blog](https://blog.usablenet.com/) - [About Us](https://usablenet.com/about-us) [Get a Demo](https://info.usablenet.com/contact) Close Open Menu - Solutions ## Solutions [UsableNet Assistive](https://usablenet.com/technology/assistive-technology-services) A managed service combining experts, technology and legal support to make your website accessible [UsableNet AQA](https://usablenet.com/technology/aqa) Accessibility management and testing software for designers, developers, and testers [Accessibility Audits & Support Services](https://usablenet.com/services) Expert guidance and training to empower your team to create accessible digital experiences Which accessibility remediation approach is right for me? [Take our Quiz](https://info.usablenet.com/website-accessibility-remediation-quiz) - Resources ## Resources [E-books & Guides](https://usablenet.com/resources?contentType=E-books%20and%20Guides) [Case Studies](https://usablenet.com/resources?contentType=Case%20Studies) [Reports](https://usablenet.com/resources?contentType=Reports) [Webinars](https://usablenet.com/resources?contentType=Webinars) [Tools](https://usablenet.com/resources?contentType=Tools) [All Resources](https://usablenet.com/resources) ## Essential Resources [ADA accessibility lawsuit tracker](https://info.usablenet.com/ada-website-compliance-lawsuit-tracker?__hstc=181257784.2243d86205d8f41e204908d6f6578263.1725908600455.1736198093211.1736205902814.174&__hssc=181257784.1.1736205902814&__hsfp=3011104808) [Checklist: how to achieve and maintain digital accessibility](https://info.usablenet.com/digital-website-accessibility-checklist?__hstc=181257784.2243d86205d8f41e204908d6f6578263.1725908600455.1736198093211.1736205902814.174&__hssc=181257784.1.1736205902814&__hsfp=3011104808) [Which remediation approach is right for me?](https://info.usablenet.com/website-accessibility-remediation-quiz?__hstc=181257784.2243d86205d8f41e204908d6f6578263.1725908600455.1736198093211.1736205902814.174&__hssc=181257784.1.1736205902814&__hsfp=3011104808) [A Primer on ADA and Digital Accessibility](https://info.usablenet.com/a-primer-on-ada-and-digital-accessibility?__hstc=181257784.2243d86205d8f41e204908d6f6578263.1725908600455.1736198093211.1736205902814.174&__hssc=181257784.1.1736205902814&__hsfp=3011104808) The EAA is in Effect — Is Your Website Compliant? [Get Help with EN 301 549 Compliance](https://info.usablenet.com/eaa-en-301-549-compliance?__hstc=181257784.2243d86205d8f41e204908d6f6578263.1725908600455.1736198093211.1736205902814.174&__hssc=181257784.1.1736205902814&__hsfp=3011104808) - Who We Serve ## Industry [E-commerce and Consumer Goods](https://info.usablenet.com/industries-e-commerce-consumer-goods) [Food Service and Hospitality](https://info.usablenet.com/-industries-food-service-hospitality) [Banking and Financial Services](https://info.usablenet.com/industries-financial-services) [Healthcare](https://info.usablenet.com/industries-healthcare) [Technology and Business Services](https://info.usablenet.com/-industries-technology-and-business-services) [Public Sector and Education](https://info.usablenet.com/industries-public-sector-and-education) ## Compliance [Canadian Accessibility Laws](https://info.usablenet.com/compliance-canada) [European Accessibility Laws](https://info.usablenet.com/compliance-europe) [Other International Accessibility](https://info.usablenet.com/compliance-international) [United States Accessibility Laws](https://info.usablenet.com/compliance-united-states) 2026 Midyear report on digital accessibility lawsuits in the US [Download Now](https://info.usablenet.com/2026-midyear-report) - [Pricing](https://usablenet.com/pricing) - [Blog](https://blog.usablenet.com/) - [About Us](https://usablenet.com/about-us) [Get a Demo](https://info.usablenet.com/contact) # The Importance of Building Your Mobile App to WCAG 2.0 Standards **By** [UsableNet](https://blog.usablenet.com/author/usablenet-1) on Sep 20, 2019 **Topics:** [Mobile Apps](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/mobile-apps), [UX Research & Design](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/ux-research-design), [WCAG 2.0](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/wcag-2-0) 0 Comments - - - ![Why is it important to build your app to WCAG 2.0 standards?](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/GettyImages-952414660.jpg) From watches to TVs to your car dashboard, mobile technology now goes well beyond phones and tablets. Your audience expects a product or service that connects fluidly across platforms. A key component of that potential customer base is the community of users with disabilities. An accessible app that conforms to WCAG 2.0 standards is essential in order to provide excellent customer service, cast a wide and inclusive net, and avoid potential legal pitfalls. [![Download our free guide to the 17 accessibility principles for designing app to conform with WCAG. >>](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3280432/7055f269-89ea-4dfd-b61e-61cafdd22a69.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3280432/7055f269-89ea-4dfd-b61e-61cafdd22a69) ## **Be Inclusive** Before writing a single line of code, it’s crucial to first understand who will use your accessible app. The following is just a sample of potential users: - Those who aren’t able to hear, see, move, or process certain kinds of visual or audio inputs - Those who can’t follow multiple screens, color palettes, or themes - Those who struggle to read and understand text - Those who have a small screen, a slow internet connection, or a screen that reads only text In addition to users with chronic disabilities, the aging baby boomer population will need apps that conform to WCAG 2.0 standards by providing assistive technology to access content and services. Indeed, [one in five](https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2018/cb18-41-population-projections.html) U.S. residents will be of retirement age by 2030—it makes business sense to meet this group’s changing needs. Meet (and Exceed) Accessibility Standards UsableNet’s UX team provides [a three-part, comprehensive outline](https://blog.usablenet.com/mobile-app-accessibility-techniques-for-inclusive-design-part-1) of the key design aspects that are needed to follow WCAG mobile guidelines. Below is a quick checklist: - Supply text alternatives for any content that doesn’t contain text. Users with a text-only interface or visual impairment may not be able to see your photos, videos, and GIFs. A text alternative allows those who require text-to-speech technology to fully access your app. - Allow an uninterrupted flow of content whether the user views the page in portrait or landscape orientation. - Provide captions for time-based media. Audio and video content should have assistive text synced for playback. - Make your navigation visually accessible. Use a variety of characteristics, such as color or font treatments, to allow users to distinguish links and buttons from other text. Separate the background from the foreground and incorporate colors that [color-blind users](https://usabilla.com/blog/how-to-design-for-color-blindness/) can see. - Extend (or get rid of) time limits on forms and other user-generated pages. Some users may need more time to read instructions and fill out fields without losing their place in the queue. - Give them the chance to fix mistakes. Some error messages may not be readily apparent to users with disabilities. Color perception, field of view, and assistive technology may all play a role in this. - Above all, look down the road at where assistive technology is going and start to prepare for how your site can accommodate it. ## **Reduce Legal Risk** With ADA web accessibility [lawsuits at a record high](https://blog.usablenet.com/a-recap-of-2018-ada-web-accessibility-lawsuits-and-primer-on-how-to-avoid-them) in 2018—2,285 cases, representing a 181 percent increase over the 2017 high of 814 cases—an accessible app is not only important to serve more customers, but a self-preservation tool as well. This risk affects companies large and small. Tax giant H&R Block [paid $100,000 in damages and penalties](https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2015/dec/31/digital-discrimination-netflix-disney-target-web-accessibility-doj) to settle a class-action suit by the National Federation of the Blind. The best defense against an accessibility lawsuit? Make your app accessible. But where to start? ## **Take the First Step** UsableNet can be a valuable partner in creating [an accessible mobile app](https://blog.usablenet.com/mobile-app-accessibility-techniques-for-inclusive-design-part-1) that meets WCAG 2.0 standards. Some basic areas of focus for you to consider: : - Design for all screen sizes, including small ones. - Remove complex gesture patterns and keep operations simple. - Make sure you have good color contrast. - Place your touch targets where anyone can access them, and make sure they’re big enough. - Make your layout responsive and consistent. - Cut down on the need for text entry and focus instead on check boxes, radio buttons, and pre-populated information that the app already knows. Want to read more on mobile accessibility? Check out our e-book, *[Your Roadmap to Digital Inclusion](https://info.usablenet.com/web-and-app-accessibility)*. Or [contact us](https://usablenet.com/contact) and one of UsableNet’s accessibility experts can help. 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We provide accessibility solutions to Fortune 1000 companies, small and medium enterprises, government, and education organizations across industries including retail, travel, hospitality, food services, automotive, financial services, and healthcare. - - - - ### Related posts ![Mobile Ticketing Accessibility: Buying Haunted House Tickets with a Screen Reader](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Screen%20Shot%202020-04-24%20at%204_54_10%20PM.png) [Mobile Ticketing Accessibility: Buying Haunted House Tickets with a Screen Reader](https://blog.usablenet.com/mobile-ticketing-accessibility-buying-haunted-house-tickets-with-a-screen-reader) Oct 23, 2025 ![Restaurant App Accessibility: A Screen Reader Experience When Menus Won’t Scroll](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/Pretty%20waitresses%20working%20with%20a%20smile%20at%20the%20coffee%20shop.jpeg) [Restaurant App Accessibility: A Screen Reader Experience When Menus Won’t Scroll](https://blog.usablenet.com/restaurant-app-accessibility-a-screen-reader-experience-when-menus-wont-scroll) Oct 9, 2025 ![Mobile App Accessibility Guidelines: Best Practices for EAA Compliance](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/Photo-122.jpg) [Mobile App Accessibility Guidelines: Best Practices for EAA Compliance](https://blog.usablenet.com/mobile-app-accessibility-guidelines) Aug 13, 2025 ![11 UX Web Accessibility Best Practices](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/UX-Accessibility-Best-Practices%20(1).webp) [11 UX Web Accessibility Best Practices](https://blog.usablenet.com/web-accessibility-best-practices) Apr 22, 2024 ### Sign Up for the UsableNet Blog ### Recent Posts ![feature image](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/Beachside-min.jpg) [Hotel Website Accessibility: Check-in, Messaging, and In-Stay Barriers for Blind Guests](https://blog.usablenet.com/hotel-website-accessibility-check-in-and-in-stay-barriers-for-blind-guests) Jul 15, 2026 ![feature image](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/Beachside-min.jpg) [Hotel Website Accessibility: Browsing Room Options](https://blog.usablenet.com/hotel-website-accessibility-browsing-room-options) Jul 14, 2026 ![feature image](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/Registration%20-%20Midyear%20Report.png) [Inside the 2026 Midyear Numbers: The ADA continues to be the ONLY true enforcement around](https://blog.usablenet.com/inside-the-2026-midyear-numbers-where-digital-accessibility-litigation-is-going) Jul 8, 2026 ### Posts by Topic - [Web Accessibility (311)](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/web-accessibility) - [User Experience (113)](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/user-experience) - [ADA Lawsuits (45)](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/ada-lawsuits) - [ADA Website Compliance (38)](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/ada-website-compliance) - [European Accessibility Act (34)](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/european-accessibility-act) - [Mobile Web (30)](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/mobile-web) - [Mobile Apps (27)](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/mobile-apps) - [Retail (27)](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/retail) ![](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/Consultation%20Icon.svg) Need to improve digital usability, accessibility or performance? 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