Enabling and Using Accessibility Scanner and Testing on Android

Accessibility is an important aspect of software development as it ensures that all users, including those with disabilities, can easily access and use your Android applications. To aid in the process of accessibility testing, Android provides a powerful tool called Accessibility Scanner. In this tutorial, we will explore how to enable and use the Accessibility Scanner on Android to identify and fix accessibility issues in your apps.

Prerequisites

• Android Studio (latest version)
• Android device/emulator running Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) or higher
• Basic knowledge of Android development

Enabling Accessibility Scanner on Android

1. Open the Settings app on your Android device.
2. Scroll down and select Accessibility.
3. Tap on Accessibility Scanner (the exact name may vary based on your device's manufacturer).
4. Toggle the switch to enable Accessibility Scanner.

Using Accessibility Scanner

1. Launch your Android application on the device/emulator.
2. Go to the screen or activity that you want to test for accessibility.
3. Swipe down the notification shade, tap the Accessibility Scanner notification, or open the app drawer and launch the Accessibility Scanner app.
4. Once the Accessibility Scanner is opened, tap on the Start button to begin scanning the current screen/activity.

Reviewing Accessibility Issues

1. After the scanning process is complete, a list of accessibility issues will be displayed.
2. Tap on each issue to view a description of the problem and suggestions on how to fix it.
3. Tap on the More button to view additional details and recommendations for fixing the issue.
4. Repeat the process for each issue until you have reviewed all accessibility problems.

Fixing Accessibility Issues

1. To fix an accessibility issue, navigate back to your Android project in Android Studio.
2. Identify the code or layout responsible for the issue based on the description provided by the Accessibility Scanner.
3. Modify the code or layout to implement the recommended fix.
4. After making the necessary changes, rebuild the project and relaunch the application for further testing.

Verifying Accessibility Fixes

1. Repeat the steps to launch the app and open the Accessibility Scanner.
2. Tap on the Start button to perform another scan on the previously problematic screen/activity.
3. Ensure that the previously identified accessibility issue no longer appears in the list of issues.

Advanced Options

The Accessibility Scanner provides some advanced options to further enhance your accessibility testing experience:

• Filtering: You can filter the issues based on a specific accessibility category, priority level, or state (such as resolved or ignored).
• Report Sharing: The Accessibility Scanner allows you to generate a report of the identified issues and their fixes. You can share this report with your development team or stakeholders for better collaboration.

Conclusion

Accessibility Scanner is a valuable tool for Android developers to ensure that their applications are accessible to users with disabilities. By following the steps outlined in this tutorial, you can enable and use the Accessibility Scanner to identify and fix accessibility issues, creating an inclusive user experience for all individuals.