Recent research by RiDC (Research Institute for Disabled Consumers) shows that over a quarter of disabled people are unable to use smartphone and tablet apps (applications).
The research, which surveyed RiDC’s pan-disability panel and had 633 respondents, shows that although most disabled people use smartphones (83%) and have downloaded an app (90%), one in four (26%) had difficulties accessing or managing them. Of these, almost half (44%) went on to uninstall or stop using the app because of this.
The survey is part of a wider research project into home energy apps, funded by the Energy Industry Voluntary Redress Scheme. It showed the main areas of app use for disabled people are communications (email, social networking), information (travel or health) and admin (utilities, banking, travel).
Gordon McCullough, CEO at RiDC says:
“In this time of global pandemic, disabled people risk being further isolated by not being able to use apps that serve to perform basic necessary functions. Despite increased accessibility features on mobile devices, apps do not always integrate with these functions so it can be a challenge to find an app that will adequately meet differing needs.”
“Not only is it increasingly urgent to rectify but it also makes good business sense. There are over 14 million people in the UK, and in 2017 the UK spending power of disabled people, their carers, and families was estimated at £249 billion.
Disabled people, like all consumers want to spend money on products that work for them - the services they need and the brands they like. Barriers preventing disabled people from being able to do this is a failure that is costing UK business £420 million a week.”
The most common accessibility issues with apps included: difficulties in downloading and setting it up, poor navigation, not supporting accessibility features, crowded display, filling in forms and registering and poor text size or font.
Dr Wesley Scott, a participant in our survey has cerebral palsy and learning disabilities including dyslexia - therefore writing, counting and learning new concepts may prove difficult. He also experiences stress and anxiety. Being home a lot and having to use more energy, he needs to keep track of how much it’s costing him to heat his flat. A confident smartphone user, his choice of energy provider depends a lot on the usability of their app. Here he shares some of his experiences:
‘I would like it if (when filling in forms) I could speak my email address into it and other details. (Filling it in manually) is tricky because sometimes my hands get spasms and I end up pressing letters or words I don’t want to.’
‘Additionally, too many colours make it confusing for me... and the contrast between the background and the writing isn’t very clear.’
RiDC is calling on businesses to ensure that accessibility is a fundamental consideration at the start of every app design process.
To involve disabled people, learn about their experiences, listen to their feedback and design accordingly. Creating fully accessible apps means that as many people as possible can use them. Because in designing for everyone, you design for every one.
To find out more about how RiDC helps businesses, organisations and public institutions on their accessibility journey, click here.
- CEO of RiDC, Gordon McCullough, will be speaking at the Tech Share Pro conference this week (17 – 19 November 2020).
