Preface to the study

Before you’ve even had breakfast

Hand on heart: how much do you do with your smartphone and the mobile apps installed on it every day? If you’re like me – these days, the smartphone has become an indispensable tool in your everyday life. But one question remains: can these mobile applications be used by everyone?

Progressive digitalisation and the growing importance of mobile applications in our daily lives have fundamentally changed the way we communicate, work and get information. The development of mobile applications has the potential to improve our lives in many ways and open up new opportunities. But while we enjoy the blessings of digital technology, we must not forget that, as this study shows, not all people stand to benefit equally from this progress. That’s why it’s crucial that mobile applications are accessible to all people, regardless of their individual abilities and needs. This is not just an ethical but also a legal obligation enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The call for digital inclusion should improve quality of life for people with disabilities while at the time contributing to an enriching diversity of society. In order to achieve this goal, there must be a growing awareness of social responsibility in the app development environment and in agencies. After all, accessible development doesn’t just require technical know-how, it’s rooted in a deep understanding of the individual needs and challenges of users with disabilities. This includes a willingness to challenge existing assumptions and develop innovative solutions to accommodate the diversity of users.

The aim of this study was to shed light on the user experiences of people with disabilities in connection with mobile applications. On the one hand, we have focused on the requirements of the WCAG criteria, which are considered a global benchmark for the accessibility of digital content. But we also tap into the user experiences of people with additional needs, which give us valuable insight into the challenges and requirements when it comes to creating accessible apps.

We would like to thank all those involved in the study, as well as the institutions and organisations that supported us financially and/or idealistically in carrying out this research.

Finally, a personal request: let’s work together to create a world where mobile applications are accessible to all and contribute to the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in the area of digital accessibility. Keep in mind that designing accessible and inclusive mobile applications is more than just a way of meeting regulatory requirements, it’s primarily an opportunity to improve people’s quality of life and drive digital inclusion. Your commitment and efforts are of great importance to creating an inclusive and just society.