Here's how to list apps in the Windows Store as accessible.
When should you declare an app as accessible?
To build and test your app for accessibility, you must do the following before you submit your app to the Windows Store:
- Set all the relevant accessibility info for UI elements, such as accessible names.
- Implement keyboard navigation and operations, taking into account tab order, keyboard activation, arrow keys navigation, shortcuts.
- Ensure an accessible visual experience by including such things as a 4.5:1 text contrast ratio, and don't rely on color alone to convey info to the user.
- Use accessibility testing tools, such as Inspect or AccChecker, to verify your app, and resolve all high-priority errors detected by those tools.
- Verify the app’s key scenarios from end to end using such facilities and tools as Narrator, Magnifier, On Screen Keyboard, High Contrast, and High DPI.
When you declare your app as accessible, you agree that your app is accessible to all users including those with disabilities. For example, this means you have tested the app with high-contrast mode and with a screen reader. You've also verified that the user interface functions correctly with a keyboard, the Magnifier, and other accessibility tools. Don't list your app as accessible unless you have specifically engineered and tested it for that purpose.
How is the accessible declaration used in the Windows Store?
When you declare an app as accessible, it becomes discoverable to the users who want accessible apps. Users can filter apps in the Windows Store by selecting the Accessible filter in the Windows Store search. Searching with this filter adds the Accessible tag to the app’s description.
Warning If your app is declared as accessible but it doesn’t support accessibility, you risk receiving negative feedback from the community.
Related topics
- C#/VB/C++ and XAML
- Testing your app for accessibility (Windows Store apps using C#/VB/C++ and XAML)
- Guidelines and checklist for accessibility (Windows Store apps using C#/VB/C++ and XAML)
- JavaScript and HTML
- Testing your app for accessibility (Windows Store apps using JavaScript and HTML)
- Guidelines and checklist for accessibility (Windows Store apps using JavaScript and HTML)
Build date: 3/19/2013
