Page 117 - GIGW2

Guidelines

for Indian Government Apps & Websites

Mobile App Guidelines

11.1
Scenario

There has been a spurt in development of mobile applications due to shift to digital
governance. This has empowered citizens like never before. Most of the mobile platforms
come bundled with assistive technologies which have been a boon for persons with
disabilities. Developers should give due consideration to platform specific features
including accessibility in order to ensure rich and useful experience for all users.

Government initiatives such as the Digital India campaign are increasingly delivering
basic functions of governance through information technologies. In the past year, the
government, private sector and the world at large have embraced mobile applications as
a preferred medium for user interactions and transactions.

In addition, the overall app market in India has also grown manifold. The users
are downloading apps for accessing various everyday services like transportation,
communication, health and entertainment.However, for persons with disabilities, many
of these apps, and consequently the services they provide, are inaccessible and often
impossible to use.

The Government of India has recognized that accessibility is a concern which it needs to
address if it has to engage comprehensively and effectively with the public. The Guidelines
for Indian Government Websites (GIGW 2009), the National Policy on Universal
Electronics Accessibility (2013) and most recently the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Act 2016 all require compliance with web accessibility standards and provision of public
information and resources in accessible electronic format. The increasing adoption of
mobile as an engagement platform hence necessitates the adoption of guidelines to ensure
that applications are accessible to and usable for persons with disabilities.

11.2
International Standards

Presently there is no single international standard on the accessibility of mobile apps. The
World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) is working on a standard, which will take time
to be published. In the meantime it has published some best practices, primarily based
upon the (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0. There are also guidelines
available from Android and iOS.

©2017,NIC 103