Abstracting your interface in a way that can offer multiple input and output mechanisms is key when developing software with an accessibility mindset. Apple has brought this to the next level in visionOS.
Create accessible spatial experiences
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Manual testing is crucial. And therefore, reducing friction to let you start your testing process can be a huge help. Selecting some accessibility shortcuts will do that, putting most of iOS' accessibility features at a triple-click of a button.
Configuring the header accessibility trait, when appropriate, is one of my favourite accessibility quick wins. In this example, you need a single swipe down, instead of 12 swipes to the right to get to from Podcasts to Artists, in the app.
When implementing a UISlider, it is a good idea to consider how much the slider value should change when swiping up/down to adjust it. It might not always make sense to do it in 10% increments, which is the default behaviour. Could be because the value at those intervals doesn't make sense, or feel random, or because it wouldn't provide the user with a fine enough control being able to go through the whole slider in just 10 swipes. It user will still be able to adjust the slider to any value by double tapping and holding and then moving the finger left or right, bypassing VoiceOver gestures. VoiceOver announces the new value as it changes.
Content © Daniel Devesa Derksen-Staats on Accessibility up to 11! is licensed under CC BY 4.0. License details
