Google Play Store now tags Android apps with accessibility (a11y) features

In addition to other Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) announcements today, Google is making it easier to find accessible Android apps in the Play Store.

The purpose of a11y tags is to make it easier for Play Store users with diverse a11y needs to easily find apps they can actually use.

These accessibility tags appear as chips underneath the “About this app” section of a Google Play listing and can be tapped to see a list of other categorized applications:

• Screen reader-friendly
• Visual assistance
• Hearing assistance
• Learning disability
• Motor assistance
• Accessible communication (Currently no apps have this tag. However, we will add it to relevant apps in the future.)

The full list appears above, while tags are split into two categories:

1. Apps that are useful tools for a specific user group, e.g., a transcription app is a tool that is primarily built for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. 
2. Apps in any category that are accessible, e.g., a screen reader-friendly game.

Google notes it has only “tagged a sample of the apps,” and more will be added in the future. Some examples to help you browse include:

• “Android Accessibility Suite” has the “visual assistance,” “learning disability,” and “motor assistance” tags. 
• “A Blind Legend” has the “screen reader-friendly” tag. 
• “Rogervoice” has the “hearing assistance” tag.  

More on Google Play:

• Google Play Store showing more app info without having to open listings
• Wear OS companion app gets Google Play Store beta, no new version yet
• Play Store users in Russia can no longer update or download paid apps