Bosch eBike Systems – Flow for everyone

In order to ensure barrier-free use of the eBike Flow app, we first tested whether the app complies with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAGs). The WCAGs represent the international standard for digital accessibility and are particularly relevant to future-proof products due to the Barrier-Free Accessibility Act. Depending on which criteria apply to the product, which disabilities are in focus, and which level of compliance is targeted, the scope of the disabilities criteria will vary. 

A central component of our preliminary analysis was the understanding of the users and their disabilities: how do vision impaired people people participate in road traffic? And which assistance systems are used in different situations? As a result of this preliminary analysis, we decided together with the Bosch eBike team to focus on achieving compliance level AA under the WCAGs and on optimizing the design aspects of the interface. With UXMA’s support, Bosch eBike Systems has been able to accelerate its adoption of the topic of accessibility and implement the accessibility standards immediately in the project.

To ensure that barrier-free use is guaranteed, the app was then assessed by UXMA’s Accessibility experts. The resulting Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR) provides detailed information about the extent to which accessible use is possible and which components and patterns need to be improved. Barriers were identified, for example, in animations and videos, in color perception, and in the consistency of layout and operation. These identified barriers were then discussed in detail with the team in order to jointly develop the best results for accessible app use for people with disabilities.

We believe that to become established as a user experience requirement, a solid understanding of the WHY and HOW of accessibility is needed. This understanding was triggered by UXMA with the help of team talks, trainings and Q&As.  

UXMA-Services:

• Assistance in getting started with the topic of accessibility

• Review and application of WCAG conformance level AA

• Creation of an official Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR)

• Support for design teams during accessibility optimizations

• Accessibility training for designers

Accessibility is no longer just a “nice-to-have”. More and more organizations are asking themselves how suitable their applications are for users with disabilities and which legal requirements must be met. Do you want to explore this question together with us? Feel free to contact us!