We’re proud to announce a new set of accessibility features across Phunware’s mobile application framework, built to meet the WCAG 2.1 AA success criteria that apply to them. As the leader in Guest Intelligence, we know our customers require guest experiences that are accessible to everyone.
We’ve designed our platform to meet all users’ needs, whether they have a destination in mind or are discovering what a property has to offer. That’s why we prioritized usability as a key part of our iOS and Android mobile application framework solution, applying these updates across the entire solution.
Moving forward, WCAG is now built into our product and QA processes. This isn’t just a one-time push; it’s a commitment to designing a clear, usable, and delightful guest experience.
Our commitment to accessibility
Phunware is committed to creating mobile apps that provide a great user experience for all users. Accessibility is a key part of usability and the user experience. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 help guide us in determining the requirements needed to meet our users’ needs, and we’re proud that this release meets the WCAG 2.1 AA success criteria that apply to it. You can count on the accessibility of your app, because of our commitment to designing and engineering software that creates a clear, usable experience for everyone.
Meeting accessibility needs around the world
At Phunware, we work with complex physical environments in the hospitality, healthcare, and senior living sectors, where finding your way is rarely simple. Our customers invite their visitors, patients, and guests to download their app when they arrive on the property. Phunware helps ensure that guest needs are met, and complying with accessibility requirements is one of them.
Legal obligations for accessibility vary around the world, but the desire to deliver wayfinding that offers meaningful independence to individuals as they navigate a property is key to providing the best user experience, no matter where the property is located. To deliver on this promise, we built WCAG 2.1 AA, the global benchmark for digital accessibility.
This series of feature releases is especially relevant for medical providers like hospitals and senior living facilities that receive federal funding and are required to meet Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, which calls for accessible ways for patients to communicate, schedule care, and access services like telehealth, regardless of disability.
Phunware feature releases
To meet WCAG 2.1 AA success criteria, we’ve released the following features:
Optimized layouts for landscape orientation
Some users have their devices mounted to make use of different screen formats. Phunware now supports landscape orientation for all users.
Dynamic type scaling
Phunware has built a graceful way for containers to grow and adjust to new type sizes. Users can easily adjust the device type size up to 200% in scale without worrying about truncated views that don’t display the full text.
Accessible routing, screen readers, and voice assistance tools
Proper ALT text labeling and navigation structures ensure that a user’s voice reader assistance experience is clear and helpful. For added ease, users can turn on Voice Directions for guided turn-by-turn directions that advance with them on their route to amenities, services, and destinations. We also continue to offer accessible routing for property visitors who use wheelchairs or strollers.
Designing the best user experience for everyone
Phunware is committed to creating mobile apps that provide a great user experience for all users. Accessibility is a key part of usability and the user experience. Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 exists to help guide us in determining requirements to meet the needs of users and we are happy to announce our mobile solution meets all relevant success criteria. We know the accessibility of your mobile app will be strong, because of our commitment to designing and engineering software that makes a clear & usable experience for all users. To learn more about Phunware, digital wayfinding, and how your property can benefit, schedule a strategy session with our team today.
