Auditing Accessibility

Accessibility Audit

Perform a systematic accessibility audit for iOS/macOS apps. This audit covers the 7 most common accessibility issues that cause App Store rejections and user complaints.

Scope (optional): $ARGUMENTS

If no scope is provided, "all" is assumed.

Step 1: Identify Files to Audit

Search for SwiftUI views and UIKit view controllers in the target path:

# Find all view files
find {target_path} -name "*.swift" | xargs grep -l "View\|ViewController"

For each file found, proceed through Steps 2-8.

Step 2: Audit VoiceOver Labels & Hints (CRITICAL - App Store Rejection)

WCAG 4.1.2 Name, Role, Value (Level A)

Search for these violations in each file:

2.1 Find icon-only buttons without labels

// Pattern to find: Button with Image but no accessibilityLabel
Grep: Button.*Image\(systemName:

Violations:

// ❌ WRONG - No label (VoiceOver says "Button")
Button(action: addToCart) {
  Image(systemName: "cart.badge.plus")
}

// ❌ WRONG - Generic label
.accessibilityLabel("Button")

// ❌ WRONG - Reads implementation details
.accessibilityLabel("cart.badge.plus") // VoiceOver: "cart dot badge dot plus"

Fixes:

// ✅ CORRECT - Descriptive label
Button(action: addToCart) {
  Image(systemName: "cart.badge.plus")
}
.accessibilityLabel("Add to cart")

// ✅ CORRECT - With hint for complex actions
.accessibilityLabel("Add to cart")
.accessibilityHint("Double-tap to add this item to your shopping cart")

2.2 Find decorative images that should be hidden

// Pattern: Image without accessibilityHidden or accessibilityLabel
Grep: Image\(".*"\)(?!.*accessibility)

Fixes:

// ✅ CORRECT - Hide decorative images from VoiceOver
Image("decorative-pattern")
  .accessibilityHidden(true)

// ✅ CORRECT - Combine multiple elements into one label
HStack {
  Image(systemName: "star.fill")
  Text("4.5")
  Text("(234 reviews)")
}
.accessibilityElement(children: .combine)
.accessibilityLabel("Rating: 4.5 stars from 234 reviews")

2.3 When to use hints

• Action is not obvious from label ("Add to cart" is obvious, no hint needed)
• Multi-step interaction ("Swipe right to confirm, left to cancel")
• State change ("Double-tap to toggle notifications on or off")

Report format:

VoiceOver Issues Found:
- [ ] {file}:{line} - Button with Image missing accessibilityLabel
- [ ] {file}:{line} - Decorative image not hidden from VoiceOver
- [ ] {file}:{line} - Generic "Button" label

Step 3: Audit Dynamic Type Support (HIGH - User Experience)

WCAG 1.4.4 Resize Text (Level AA - support 200% scaling)

3.1 Find fixed font sizes

// Pattern to find:
Grep: \.font\(\.system\(size:
Grep: UIFont\.systemFont\(ofSize:
Grep: Font\.custom\(.*size:

Violations:

// ❌ WRONG - Fixed size, won't scale
Text("Price: $19.99")
  .font(.system(size: 17))

UILabel().font = UIFont.systemFont(ofSize: 17)

// ❌ WRONG - Custom font without scaling
Text("Headline")
  .font(Font.custom("CustomFont", size: 24))

Fixes:

// ✅ CORRECT - SwiftUI semantic styles (auto-scales)
Text("Price: $19.99")
  .font(.body)

Text("Headline")
  .font(.headline)

// ✅ CORRECT - UIKit semantic styles
label.font = UIFont.preferredFont(forTextStyle: .body)

// ✅ CORRECT - Custom font with scaling
let customFont = UIFont(name: "CustomFont", size: 24)!
label.font = UIFontMetrics.default.scaledFont(for: customFont)
label.adjustsFontForContentSizeCategory = true

// ✅ GOOD - Custom size that scales with Dynamic Type
Text("Large Title")
  .font(.system(size: 60).relativeTo(.largeTitle))

Text("Custom Headline")
  .font(.system(size: 24).relativeTo(.title2))

3.2 SwiftUI text styles reference

• .largeTitle - 34pt (scales to 44pt at accessibility sizes)
• .title - 28pt
• .title2 - 22pt
• .title3 - 20pt
• .headline - 17pt semibold
• .body - 17pt (default)
• .callout - 16pt
• .subheadline - 15pt
• .footnote - 13pt
• .caption - 12pt
• .caption2 - 11pt

3.3 Find fixed frames that clip text

// Pattern to find:
Grep: \.frame\(.*height:.*\d+

Violations:

// ❌ WRONG - Fixed frame breaks with large text
Text("Long product description...")
  .font(.body)
  .frame(height: 50) // Clips at large text sizes

Fixes:

// ✅ CORRECT - Flexible frame
Text("Long product description...")
  .font(.body)
  .lineLimit(nil) // Allow multiple lines
  .fixedSize(horizontal: false, vertical: true)

// ✅ CORRECT - Stack rearranges at large sizes
HStack {
  Text("Label:")
  Text("Value")
}
.dynamicTypeSize(...DynamicTypeSize.xxxLarge) // Limit maximum size if needed

Report format:

Dynamic Type Issues Found:
- [ ] {file}:{line} - Fixed font size .system(size: 17)
- [ ] {file}:{line} - Fixed frame height will clip at large text
- [ ] {file}:{line} - Custom font without UIFontMetrics scaling

Step 4: Audit Color Contrast (HIGH - Vision Disabilities)

WCAG

• 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum) — Level AA: Normal text 4.5:1, Large text 3:1
• 1.4.6 Contrast (Enhanced) — Level AAA: Normal text 7:1, Large text 4.5:1

4.1 Find low-contrast color combinations

// Pattern to find:
Grep: \.foregroundColor\(\.yellow
Grep: \.foregroundColor\(\.gray\)
Grep: \.foregroundColor\(Color\(

Violations:

// ❌ WRONG - Low contrast (1.8:1 - fails WCAG)
Text("Warning")
  .foregroundColor(.yellow) // on white background

// ❌ WRONG - Low contrast in dark mode
Text("Info")
  .foregroundColor(.gray) // on black background

Fixes:

// ✅ CORRECT - High contrast (7:1+ passes AAA)
Text("Warning")
  .foregroundColor(.orange) // or .red

// ✅ CORRECT - System colors adapt to light/dark mode
Text("Info")
  .foregroundColor(.primary) // Black in light mode, white in dark

Text("Secondary")
  .foregroundColor(.secondary) // Automatic high contrast

4.2 Find color-only status indicators

// Pattern to find:
Grep: \.fill\(.*\.green.*\.red
Grep: \.foregroundColor\(.*\?.*:

Violations:

// ❌ WRONG - Color alone indicates status
Circle()
  .fill(isAvailable ? .green : .red)

Fixes:

// ✅ CORRECT - Color + icon/text
HStack {
  Image(systemName: isAvailable ? "checkmark.circle.fill" : "xmark.circle.fill")
  Text(isAvailable ? "Available" : "Unavailable")
}
.foregroundColor(isAvailable ? .green : .red)

// ✅ CORRECT - Respect system preference
if UIAccessibility.shouldDifferentiateWithoutColor {
  // Use patterns, icons, or text instead of color alone
}

4.3 Contrast ratio reference

• Black (#000000) on White (#FFFFFF): 21:1 ✅ AAA
• Dark Gray (#595959) on White: 7:1 ✅ AAA
• Medium Gray (#767676) on White: 4.5:1 ✅ AA
• Light Gray (#959595) on White: 2.8:1 ❌ Fails

Report format:

Color Contrast Issues Found:
- [ ] {file}:{line} - .yellow foreground likely fails 4.5:1 contrast
- [ ] {file}:{line} - Color-only status indicator (green/red)
- [ ] {file}:{line} - Custom color needs contrast verification

Step 5: Audit Touch Target Sizes (MEDIUM - Motor Disabilities)

WCAG 2.5.5 Target Size (Level AAA - 44x44pt minimum) Apple HIG 44x44pt minimum for all tappable elements

5.1 Find small touch targets

// Pattern to find:
Grep: \.frame\(width:\s*\d+,\s*height:\s*\d+
Grep: \.frame\(.*[0-3]\d.*[0-3]\d  // frames less than 40
Grep: \.onTapGesture.*Image\(systemName

Violations:

// ❌ WRONG - Too small (24x24pt)
Button("×") {
  dismiss()
}
.frame(width: 24, height: 24)

// ❌ WRONG - Small icon without padding
Image(systemName: "heart")
  .font(.system(size: 16))
  .onTapGesture { }

Fixes:

// ✅ CORRECT - Minimum 44x44pt
Button("×") {
  dismiss()
}
.frame(minWidth: 44, minHeight: 44)

// ✅ CORRECT - Larger icon or padding
Image(systemName: "heart")
  .font(.system(size: 24))
  .frame(minWidth: 44, minHeight: 44)
  .contentShape(Rectangle()) // Expand tap area
  .onTapGesture { }

// ✅ CORRECT - UIKit button with edge insets
button.contentEdgeInsets = UIEdgeInsets(top: 12, left: 12, bottom: 12, right: 12)
// Total size: icon size + insets ≥ 44x44pt

5.2 Find closely spaced targets

// Pattern to find:
Grep: HStack\(spacing:\s*[0-7]\)
Grep: VStack\(spacing:\s*[0-7]\)

Violations:

// ❌ WRONG - Targets too close (hard to tap accurately)
HStack(spacing: 4) {
  Button("Edit") { }
  Button("Delete") { }
}

Fixes:

// ✅ CORRECT - Adequate spacing (8pt minimum, 12pt better)
HStack(spacing: 12) {
  Button("Edit") { }
  Button("Delete") { }
}

Report format:

Touch Target Issues Found:
- [ ] {file}:{line} - Button frame 24x24 (needs 44x44 minimum)
- [ ] {file}:{line} - HStack spacing 4pt (needs 8pt+ between buttons)
- [ ] {file}:{line} - Icon with onTapGesture missing contentShape

Step 6: Audit Keyboard Navigation (MEDIUM - iPadOS/macOS)

WCAG 2.1.1 Keyboard (Level A - all functionality via keyboard)

6.1 Find gesture-only interactions

// Pattern to find:
Grep: \.onTapGesture
Grep: \.gesture\(

Violations:

// ❌ WRONG - Custom gesture without keyboard alternative
.onTapGesture {
  showDetails()
}
// No way to trigger with keyboard

Fixes:

// ✅ CORRECT - Button provides keyboard support automatically
Button("Show Details") {
  showDetails()
}
.keyboardShortcut("d", modifiers: .command) // Optional shortcut

// ✅ CORRECT - Custom control with focus support
struct CustomButton: View {
  @FocusState private var isFocused: Bool

  var body: some View {
    Text("Custom")
      .focusable()
      .focused($isFocused)
      .onKeyPress(.return) {
        action()
        return .handled
      }
  }
}

6.2 Focus management patterns

// ✅ CORRECT - Set initial focus
.focusSection() // Group related controls
.defaultFocus($focus, .constant(true)) // Set default

// ✅ CORRECT - Move focus after action
@FocusState private var focusedField: Field?

Button("Next") {
  focusedField = .next
}

Report format:

Keyboard Navigation Issues Found:
- [ ] {file}:{line} - onTapGesture without Button alternative
- [ ] {file}:{line} - Custom control missing focusable()
- [ ] {file}:{line} - Form without focus management

Step 7: Audit Reduce Motion Support (MEDIUM - Vestibular Disorders)

WCAG 2.3.3 Animation from Interactions (Level AAA)

7.1 Find animations without Reduce Motion check

// Pattern to find:
Grep: withAnimation\(
Grep: \.animation\(
Grep: \.transition\(
Grep: \.offset.*GeometryReader  // parallax

Violations:

// ❌ WRONG - Always animates (can cause nausea)
.onAppear {
  withAnimation(.spring(response: 0.6, dampingFraction: 0.8)) {
    scale = 1.0
  }
}

// ❌ WRONG - Parallax scrolling without opt-out
ScrollView {
  GeometryReader { geo in
    Image("hero")
      .offset(y: geo.frame(in: .global).minY * 0.5) // Parallax
  }
}

Fixes:

// ✅ CORRECT - Respect Reduce Motion preference
.onAppear {
  if UIAccessibility.isReduceMotionEnabled {
    scale = 1.0 // Instant
  } else {
    withAnimation(.spring(response: 0.6, dampingFraction: 0.8)) {
      scale = 1.0
    }
  }
}

// ✅ CORRECT - Simpler animation or cross-fade
if UIAccessibility.isReduceMotionEnabled {
  // Cross-fade or instant change
  withAnimation(.linear(duration: 0.2)) {
    showView = true
  }
} else {
  // Complex spring animation
  withAnimation(.spring()) {
    showView = true
  }
}

// ✅ CORRECT - Automatic support via transaction
.animation(.spring(), value: isExpanded)
.transaction { transaction in
  if UIAccessibility.isReduceMotionEnabled {
    transaction.animation = nil // Disable animation
  }
}

Report format:

Reduce Motion Issues Found:
- [ ] {file}:{line} - withAnimation without isReduceMotionEnabled check
- [ ] {file}:{line} - Parallax effect without Reduce Motion opt-out
- [ ] {file}:{line} - Spring animation should use cross-fade when reduced

Step 8: Audit Common Violations (HIGH - App Store Review)

8.1 Images without accessibility

// Pattern to find:
Grep: Image\(".*"\)(?!.*accessibility)
Grep: Image\(systemName:.*\)(?!.*accessibility)

Violations:

// ❌ WRONG - Informative image without label
Image("product-photo")

Fixes:

// ✅ CORRECT - Informative image with label
Image("product-photo")
  .accessibilityLabel("Red sneakers with white laces")

// ✅ CORRECT - Decorative image hidden
Image("background-pattern")
  .accessibilityHidden(true)

8.2 Custom buttons without traits

// Pattern to find:
Grep: Text\(.*\).*\.onTapGesture

Violations:

// ❌ WRONG - Custom button without button trait
Text("Submit")
  .onTapGesture {
    submit()
  }
// VoiceOver announces as "Submit, text" not "Submit, button"

Fixes:

// ✅ CORRECT - Use Button for button-like controls
Button("Submit") {
  submit()
}
// VoiceOver announces as "Submit, button"

// ✅ CORRECT - Custom control with correct trait
Text("Submit")
  .accessibilityAddTraits(.isButton)
  .onTapGesture {
    submit()
  }

8.3 Custom controls without accessibility actions

// Pattern to find custom sliders/pickers:
Grep: DragGesture\(\)
Grep: GeometryReader.*gesture

Violations:

// ❌ WRONG - Custom slider without accessibility support
struct CustomSlider: View {
  @Binding var value: Double

  var body: some View {
    GeometryReader { geo in
      // ...
    }
    .gesture(DragGesture()...)
  }
}

Fixes:

// ✅ CORRECT - Custom slider with accessibility actions
struct CustomSlider: View {
  @Binding var value: Double

  var body: some View {
    GeometryReader { geo in
      // ...
    }
    .gesture(DragGesture()...)
    .accessibilityElement()
    .accessibilityLabel("Volume")
    .accessibilityValue("\(Int(value))%")
    .accessibilityAdjustableAction { direction in
      switch direction {
      case .increment:
        value = min(value + 10, 100)
      case .decrement:
        value = max(value - 10, 0)
      @unknown default:
        break
      }
    }
  }
}

8.4 State changes without announcements

// Pattern to find:
Grep: \.toggle\(\)
Grep: isOn.*=.*!

Violations:

// ❌ WRONG - State change without announcement
Button("Toggle") {
  isOn.toggle()
}

Fixes:

// ✅ CORRECT - State change with announcement
Button("Toggle") {
  isOn.toggle()
  UIAccessibility.post(
    notification: .announcement,
    argument: isOn ? "Enabled" : "Disabled"
  )
}

// ✅ CORRECT - Automatic state with accessibilityValue
Button("Toggle") {
  isOn.toggle()
}
.accessibilityValue(isOn ? "Enabled" : "Disabled")

Report format:

Common Violations Found:
- [ ] {file}:{line} - Image without accessibilityLabel or accessibilityHidden
- [ ] {file}:{line} - Text with onTapGesture missing .isButton trait
- [ ] {file}:{line} - Custom slider without accessibilityAdjustableAction
- [ ] {file}:{line} - State toggle without announcement

Step 9: Run Testing and Generate Report

See ./accessibility-testing-checklist.md for:

• Accessibility Inspector audit steps
• Manual VoiceOver testing checklists
• Audit report template

Reference Documents

For detailed reference material, see:

• ./wcag-reference.md — WCAG compliance levels (A, AA, AAA)
• ./app-store-accessibility-prep.md — App Store submission requirements
• ./design-pressure-red-flags.md — Designer pushback and resources
• ./accessibility-testing-checklist.md — Inspector audit and report template