VPAT for Mobile Banking App Accessibility
VPAT for Mobile Banking App Accessibility – Below is a comprehensive Steps covering all major areas of accessibility compliance based on WCAG 2.1, Section 508, EN 301 549, and ISO/IEC 40500, adapted specifically for a mobile banking environment.
Step 1: Understand Accessibility Standards
Before drafting the Accessibility Audit and Testing / VPAT, identify which standards apply:
- VPAT 2.5 Rev EU
- VPAT 2.5 INT
- VPAT 2.5 508
- VPAT 2.5 WCAG
Tip: The VPAT 2.5 INT version is designed to cover all three
Step 2: Assemble an Accessibility Team
- Developers (to fix issues)
- UX/UI Designers (for accessible design & Usability)
- QA Testers (manual & automated testing)
- Users with disabilities (for real-world testing)
Step 3: Perform Accessibility Audit
- Automated Testing
- Manual Testing
- User Testing with Persons with Disabilities
Mobile-Specific Considerations
- Screen Reader Testing(Android/iOS)
- Touch Target Size
- Orientation & Zoom
- Dark Mode Compatibility
- Biometric Authentication Accessibility (Alternative methods for users who can’t use FaceID/fingerprint)
- CAPTCHA alternatives (e.g., accessible audio CAPTCHAs)
- Voice Control Compatibility (e.g., Siri, Google Assistant)
- Accessible two-factor authentication
Step 4: Complete the VPAT/ACR Document (After Remedation )
Understand the “Conformance Level” options for each criterion:
- Supports: The functionality of the product has at least one method that meets the criterion without known defects or meets with equivalent facilitation.
- Partially Supports: Some functionality of the product does not meet the criterion.
- Does Not Support: The majority of product functionality does not meet the criterion.
- Not Applicable: The criterion does not apply to the product.
- Not Evaluated: Only applicable for WCAG Level AAA criteria.
Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide on how to map your mobile banking app’s accessibility evaluation to each part of the VPAT 2.5 INT:
- Map Your Accessibility Audit Results to WCAG Criteria (Table 1)
- Map Your Accessibility Audit Results to Section 508 Criteria (Table 2)
- Map Your Accessibility Audit Results to EN 301 549 Criteria (Table 3)
Step 5: Review and Validate the VPAT/ACR
- Internal Review: Have your accessibility team and relevant stakeholders review the completed VPAT for accuracy, completeness, and clarity. Ensure the conformance levels and remarks align with the audit findings.
- Third-Party Validation (Optional but Highly Recommended): Engage a reputable third-party accessibility consultant to review and validate the VPAT for an unbiased assessment of its accuracy.
Step 6: Publish & Distribute
- Add version history and testing date
- Save in accessible PDF or DOC format
- Host the VPAT on:
- Your banking app’s website (accessibility page)
- App stores (under accessibility info)
- Share with regulators, partners, and customers upon request.
Step 7: Maintain & Update the VPAT
- Major app updates
- Re-test critical accessibility areas with each new feature
- New OS releases (iOS/Android changes)
- Legal requirement updates
- Version Control (Keep old VPATs archived)
- Clear Remediation Plans (For non-compliant items)
Additional Considerations Specific to Mobile Banking Apps:
- Biometric Authentication: Ensure that if biometric authentication (fingerprint, face ID) is used, there’s an accessible alternative for users who cannot use biometrics. Provide clear instructions for setup and use with assistive technologies.
- Security Features: Ensure accessibility of security features like transaction confirmations, multi-factor authentication, and alerts.
- Financial Information Display: Ensure that financial data (account balances, transaction history) is presented in an accessible format, including being compatible with screen readers and allowing for text resizing.
- Customer Support Access: If customer support is integrated into the app (e.g., chat, phone), ensure these channels are also accessible to users with disabilities.
- Third-Party Integrations: If the app integrates with other services, evaluate the accessibility of those integrations as well.
- User Testing with People with Disabilities: Conduct user testing with individuals with various disabilities to identify and address accessibility barriers.
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