Press release
United Airlines Redesigns Mobile App to be More Accessible for People with Visual Disabilities
United increased color contrast, added more space between graphics and reorganized page flows to result in better integration with screen reader technologies;
About this update from United Airlines Holdings, Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"United increased color contrast, added more space between graphics and reorganized page flows to result in better integration with screen reader technologies;\n Redesign also includes faster processing, increased personalization options and more intuitive navigation\n\n\nCHICAGO, Oct. 28, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- United Airlines today launches a redesigned version of its mobile app, with new enhancements intended to make travel easier for people with visual disabilities. Throughout its award-winning app, the carrier has increased color contrast, added more space between graphics and reordered how information is displayed and announced to better integrate with the screen reader technologies like VoiceOver and TalkBack that are built into most handheld devices and read aloud on-screen messages and notifications. By restructuring the way the information is organized on the app, screen readers are better able to convert text to audio in the proper, logical sequence, allowing customers to better understand and navigate the app. According to the National Aging and Disability Transportation Center, more than 25 million Americans have self-reported travel-limiting disability. The improved accessibility of the app is just one of the ways United is continuing its commitment to accessibility and inclusion of customers with disabilities.\n\n\"The parts of the travel experience that we all take for granted like checking luggage, getting your flight status and accessing a boarding pass can still be a challenge for someone with a visual disability,\" said Linda Jojo, Executive Vice President for Technology and Chief Digital Officer, United. \"These new accessibility enhancements are part of our continuing commitment to level the playing field, unlock all the customer benefits of our app and give people with disabilities more independence while traveling.\"\nVisually impaired customers will notice that these changes make it easier to manage all aspects of day-of travel, including check in, viewing reservation details and flight status, bag tracking and more. Ray Campbell, a member of United's digital team who's visually impaired and sits on the board of the American Council of the Blind, played a key role in helping redesign the app, and walks through how these changes make flying easier for him in this video. \n \n\"Optimizing mobile apps for tool...