Mobile Phones and Tablets Accessibility Standards

Current smartphones and tablets perform all major functions of a regular computer such as accessing and searching the Internet, viewing web and web-based Apps, reading and composing E-mail, watching and listening to audio visual content. Mobile design and web based mobile apps do not have a separate set of standards, rather, they are covered by the major e-accessibility standards mentioned in the web accessibility standards section. These standards do not have any specific guideline or criteria for mobile phones or handheld. However, they are sufficient to address all accessibility issues for persons with disabilities since the design of mobiles or tablets are built on the web paradigms. WCAG 2.0 criteria for resizing text (1.4.4) or contrast control (1.4.3) apply directly to all handheld equipment with screen displays. Also, keyboard criteria (2.1.1) and focus order (2.4.3). Also, sections 1194.21, 1194.22 and 1194.31 of the US 508 standards can be easily applied to mobile apps and content.