Success Criterion 3.2.4 - Level AA
Consistent Identification
Ensure icons have the same function on every screen. Suppose you use a search glass icon to search. Do not use the search glass icon elsewhere in the app to enlarge content. Ensure that the function of the search glass icon is the same on every screen. This makes it clear to users what function they can expect from this icon
Impact
Consistent use of icons makes it easier for everyone to learn what function each icon has
People with learning disabilities can use the app more easily if icons are used in the same ways.
Check
“Do icons have the same function everywhere?”
This can be tested without assistive technologies.
Note: this success criterion is exempt for apps in EN 301 549 and Section 508.
Solution
Use consistent identification
In Android, you should create custom Views
to re-use functionality on multiple screens.
When using icons, use the search function of your IDE
to check all instances. The icon should have the same accessibility label
on each screen, and the functionality should also be the same.
For example, when using a cross icon for closing a screen, make sure the label is 'Close' on all screens, and check that it always closes a screen.
In Android Studio, you can use the Find Usages
option to check if resources are used on multiple screens. Go to your drawable
folder, right click and select the Find Usages
option. You can also use the shortcut Option + F7
on Mac, or Alt + F7
on Windows.