Android accessibility test detail

Extends the core AccessibilityChecks.enable() example in ../SKILL.md. Checks run automatically on any ViewActions action and cover the acted-on view plus all descendant views (atf).

Add the dependency

// app/build.gradle
dependencies {
    androidTestImplementation 'androidx.test.espresso:espresso-accessibility:3.6.1'
}

Enable checks from the root view

import androidx.test.espresso.accessibility.AccessibilityChecks

@RunWith(AndroidJUnit4::class)
class CheckoutAccessibilityTest {
    init {
        AccessibilityChecks.enable().setRunChecksFromRootView(true)
    }

    @Test
    fun applyPromoCode() {
        onView(withId(R.id.promo_field)).perform(typeText("WELCOME10"), closeSoftKeyboard())
        onView(withId(R.id.apply_button)).perform(click())
        // checks fire automatically on every perform()
    }
}

setRunChecksFromRootView(true) evaluates the whole hierarchy, not just the interacted view (atf).

Suppress known issues

AccessibilityChecks.enable().apply {
    setSuppressingResultMatcher(
        allOf(
            matchesCheck(TextContrastCheck::class.java),
            matchesViews(withId(R.id.decorative_watermark))
        )
    )
}

The matcher must satisfy both the check type and the specific view (atf).

Touch target size (48dp minimum)

Each interactive UI element should have a focusable area of at least 48dp x 48dp (atgt). AccessibilityChecks validates this on every perform() call.

Contrast thresholds

AccessibilityChecks (via the Accessibility Test Framework) checks these on every perform() call (contrast):

• Text smaller than 18sp, or bold text smaller than 14sp: minimum contrast ratio 4.5:1.
• All other text: minimum contrast ratio 3:1.

contentDescription labelling

Convey purpose, not visual detail (cd):

// Icon-only button: set contentDescription
Icon(
    imageVector = Icons.Filled.Share,
    contentDescription = stringResource(R.string.label_share)
)

// Decorative image: suppress from accessibility
Icon(
    imageVector = Icons.Filled.Decoration,
    contentDescription = null   // TalkBack skips this element
)

• Text composables need no contentDescription; TalkBack reads text content automatically.
• List items need distinct descriptions so a screen reader does not repeat the same label.

Verify with Espresso:

onView(withId(R.id.share_button))
    .check(matches(withContentDescription(R.string.label_share)))

TalkBack manual workflow

Enable via Settings > Accessibility > TalkBack > On, then (at):

1. Linear navigation: swipe right/left through elements in order; double-tap to activate.
2. Explore by touch: drag to hear elements under your finger.

Manual checklist:

• All interactive elements are reachable via swipe.
• Each element announces its purpose clearly and without redundancy.
• Alert messages are announced when they appear.
• Focus traversal order matches the visual reading order.

References

• Espresso accessibility checking - AccessibilityChecks.enable(), setRunChecksFromRootView(true), setSuppressingResultMatcher(), per-action firing.
• Large controls - 48dp x 48dp minimum touch target.
• Text visibility - 4.5:1 for text <18sp or bold <14sp; 3:1 for all other text.
• Describe UI elements - contentDescription: purpose not visual detail, null for decorative, unique labels in lists.
• Accessibility testing - TalkBack enable, linear navigation, explore-by-touch, manual checklist.