iOS SwiftUI Accessibility Coding Rules

Follow these rules when writing or reviewing SwiftUI code. Each rule maps to a WCAG 2.2 success criterion.

Images (WCAG 1.1.1)

• Every Image(systemName:) and Image("name") must have .accessibilityLabel("description") describing what the image conveys.
• For decorative images that add no information, use Image(decorative:) or add .accessibilityHidden(true).
• Never include words like "image", "icon", "graphic", or "button" in an .accessibilityLabel — VoiceOver already announces the element's trait.
• Describe what the image shows, not the file name or technical details.

// Good
Image(systemName: "heart.fill")
    .accessibilityLabel("Favorite")

// Good — decorative
Image(decorative: "background-pattern")

// Bad — no label
Image(systemName: "trash")

// Bad — includes role
Image(systemName: "heart.fill")
    .accessibilityLabel("Heart icon")

Buttons (WCAG 4.1.2)

• Icon-only Button views must have .accessibilityLabel("action") describing what the button does.
• Never include "button" in the .accessibilityLabel — VoiceOver announces the button trait automatically, so users hear "Delete button, button".
• Prefer Button over .onTapGesture. If you must use .onTapGesture, add .accessibilityAddTraits(.isButton) so VoiceOver announces it as a button.
• Visually disabled buttons (using .opacity() or .tint(.gray)) must also use .disabled(true) so assistive technology knows the button is disabled.

// Good
Button(action: { deleteItem() }) {
    Image(systemName: "trash")
}
.accessibilityLabel("Delete")

// Bad — label includes role
Button(action: {}) {
    Image(systemName: "trash")
}
.accessibilityLabel("Delete button")

// Bad — looks disabled but isn't semantically
Button("Submit", action: {})
    .opacity(0.5)
// Fix:
Button("Submit", action: {})
    .disabled(true)

Accessibility Label (WCAG 4.1.2, 2.5.3)

• Every interactive control must have a meaningful accessible name — either from visible text content or .accessibilityLabel.
• Labels should be concise (ideally 1–3 words), begin capitalized, and not end with a period.
• The .accessibilityLabel must start with the visible label text so Voice Control users can activate the element by saying what they see (Label in Name — WCAG 2.5.3).
• Never include the control type in the label ("button", "tab", "link", "image").

// Good — specific label includes visible text first
Button("Add to cart") {}
    .accessibilityLabel("Add to cart, Wireless Headphones")

// Bad — accessible name doesn't contain visible text
Button("Add to cart") {}
    .accessibilityLabel("Purchase Wireless Headphones")

Accessibility Value (WCAG 4.1.2)

• Use .accessibilityValue on custom controls to convey their current state or value (e.g., "3 out of 5", "Step 2 of 4", "enabled"/"disabled").
• Pair adjustable custom controls with .accessibilityAdjustableAction so VoiceOver users can swipe up/down to change the value.
• Use .accessibilityValue on tab bar items to convey badge notification counts (e.g., "3 notifications").

// Good — custom star rating
HStack {
    ForEach(1...5, id: \.self) { star in
        Image(systemName: star <= rating ? "star.fill" : "star")
    }
}
.accessibilityElement(children: .ignore)
.accessibilityLabel("Rating")
.accessibilityValue("\(rating) out of 5")
.accessibilityAdjustableAction { direction in
    switch direction {
    case .increment: rating = min(5, rating + 1)
    case .decrement: rating = max(1, rating - 1)
    @unknown default: break
    }
}

Accessibility Hint (WCAG 3.3.2)

• Hints are optional for standard buttons and taps — VoiceOver users can turn them off. Only add a hint when the result of activating an element is not obvious from the label alone.
• Hints are required for elements with non-obvious interactions: .onLongPressGesture, .onDrag, .onDrop, .contextMenu, .swipeActions, DragGesture, and LongPressGesture. Without a hint, VoiceOver users won't know these interactions exist.
• Use third-person singular verb describing the result: "Adds this item to your favorites." NOT "Add this item to your favorites."
• Never describe the gesture method ("tap", "double tap", "swipe") — VoiceOver already tells users how to interact. Describe what happens, not how to do it.
• Never repeat the label text or include the control type ("button", "link").
• Begin capitalized, end with a period.

// Good
Button(action: { toggleFavorite() }) {
    Image(systemName: "heart")
}
.accessibilityLabel("Favorite")
.accessibilityHint("Adds this item to your favorites.")

// Bad — describes the gesture method
.accessibilityHint("Double tap to add this item to your favorites.")

// Bad — repeats label
.accessibilityHint("Favorite")

// Good — hint required for long press
Text(item.name)
    .onLongPressGesture { showActions() }
    .accessibilityHint("Shows available actions.")

// Good — hint required for context menu
Button(item.name) { selectItem() }
    .contextMenu { /* menu items */ }
    .accessibilityHint("Shows additional options.")

Headings (WCAG 1.3.1)

• Add .accessibilityAddTraits(.isHeader) to all heading-styled text (.title, .headline, .subheadline, etc.) so VoiceOver users can navigate by headings using the Rotor.
• Never fake a heading by putting "heading" in the .accessibilityLabel — it won't appear in the Rotor.
• Use .accessibilityHeading(.h1) through .h6 together with .accessibilityAddTraits(.isHeader) to set heading levels. Don't skip levels.

// Good
Text("Settings")
    .font(.title)
    .accessibilityAddTraits(.isHeader)

// Bad — fake heading
Text("Settings")
    .font(.title)
    .accessibilityLabel("Settings heading")

Traits (WCAG 4.1.2)

• Use the correct accessibility trait so assistive technology announces the element's role:
  • .isButton — interactive elements that perform an action
  • .isLink — elements that navigate to a URL or another view
  • .isHeader — section headings
  • .isSelected — selected items in a list or tab
  • .isImage — informative images
• Prefer Button and Link views (which set traits automatically) over manual .onTapGesture + .accessibilityAddTraits.

Dynamic Type (WCAG 1.4.4)

• Use text styles (.title, .body, .caption, .headline, etc.) instead of .font(.system(size: N)) so text scales with the user's preferred size.
• Never use .lineLimit(1) — it truncates text at larger sizes.
• Wrap text content in a ScrollView so it remains accessible when enlarged.
• Cap already-large styles (.largeTitle, .title) with .dynamicTypeSize(...DynamicTypeSize.xxxLarge) to prevent excessive growth while still meeting the 200% resize requirement. Never cap body text or small text.
• Use axis: .vertical on TextField so entered text wraps instead of truncating.

// Good
Text("Welcome")
    .font(.largeTitle)
    .dynamicTypeSize(...DynamicTypeSize.xxxLarge)

// Bad — fixed size, won't scale
Text("Welcome")
    .font(.system(size: 34))

Color and Contrast (WCAG 1.4.3, 1.4.11)

• Use semantic colors (Color.primary, Color.secondary) or Asset Catalog colors that adapt to light/dark mode. Never hardcode .black, .white, or Color(red:green:blue:) for foreground/background pairs.
• Text contrast ratio must be at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text (18pt+ or 14pt+ bold).
• Non-text elements (icons, borders, focus indicators) must have at least 3:1 contrast ratio.
• Support the Increase Contrast accessibility setting.

// Good — adapts to dark mode
Text("Hello")
    .foregroundColor(.primary)

// Bad — won't adapt to dark mode
Text("Hello")
    .foregroundColor(.black)

// Bad — insufficient contrast (gray text on white background)
Text("Subtitle")
    .foregroundColor(Color(red: 0.7, green: 0.7, blue: 0.7))
    .background(Color.white)

// Good — sufficient contrast
Text("Subtitle")
    .foregroundColor(.secondary)

Touch Target Size (WCAG 2.5.8)

• Touch targets must be at least 24x24pt (WCAG 2.2 Level AA minimum). Use .frame(minWidth: 24, minHeight: 24) on icon-only buttons.
• Apple recommends 44x44pt for comfortable tapping. Inline targets within a line of text are exempt.

// Good
Button(action: {}) {
    Image(systemName: "xmark")
        .frame(minWidth: 44, minHeight: 44)
}

Form Controls (WCAG 1.3.5, 3.3.2, 4.1.2)

• TextField, SecureField, Slider, Stepper, Picker, and Toggle all need visible labels. Use the built-in label parameter or add .accessibilityLabel.
• Never use .labelsHidden() without providing an .accessibilityLabel.
• Pickers with WheelPickerStyle or SegmentedPickerStyle require both .accessibilityLabel("Label") and .accessibilityElement(children: .contain) or VoiceOver will not speak the picker's label.
• Add .textContentType(.emailAddress), .textContentType(.password), etc. to text fields so autofill works correctly.

// Good — visible label above the text field
Text("Email")
TextField("Email", text: $email)
    .textContentType(.emailAddress)

// Good — Toggle with built-in label
Toggle("Enable notifications", isOn: $notificationsEnabled)

// Bad — Toggle without a label
Toggle(isOn: $notificationsEnabled) {
    Image(systemName: "bell")
}
// Fix: add .accessibilityLabel("Enable notifications")

// Good — Slider with label
Slider(value: $volume, in: 0...100) {
    Text("Volume")
}

// Bad — Slider without any label
Slider(value: $volume, in: 0...100)
// Fix: add .accessibilityLabel("Volume")

// Good — Stepper with label
Stepper("Quantity: \(quantity)", value: $quantity, in: 1...10)

// Bad — Stepper without a label
Stepper(value: $quantity, in: 1...10) {
    Image(systemName: "cart")
}
// Fix: add .accessibilityLabel("Quantity")

// Good — segmented picker with both required modifiers
Picker("Size", selection: $size) {
    Text("S").tag("S")
    Text("M").tag("M")
    Text("L").tag("L")
}
.pickerStyle(.segmented)
.accessibilityElement(children: .contain)
.accessibilityLabel("Size")

// Bad — hidden label, no accessibility label
TextField("", text: $email)
    .labelsHidden()

Navigation and Page Titles (WCAG 2.4.2, 2.4.3)

• Every view inside a NavigationStack must have .navigationTitle("Page Title") so VoiceOver announces the page when it appears.
• After dismissing a .sheet(), .fullScreenCover(), .alert(), or .popover(), return VoiceOver focus to the trigger element using @AccessibilityFocusState.

@AccessibilityFocusState private var isTriggerFocused: Bool

Button("Show Details") { showSheet = true }
    .accessibilityFocused($isTriggerFocused)
    .sheet(isPresented: $showSheet, onDismiss: {
        isTriggerFocused = true
    }) {
        DetailView()
    }

Gestures (WCAG 2.1.1, 2.5.1)

• Custom gestures (.onLongPressGesture, DragGesture, RotationGesture, MagnificationGesture) must have:
  1. An .accessibilityAction alternative for VoiceOver users
  2. A visible single-tap Button alternative for touch users who cannot perform the gesture

// Good — drag gesture with button alternatives
ForEach(items) { item in
    Text(item.name)
        .onDrag { NSItemProvider(object: item.name as NSString) }
}
// Plus: Move Up / Move Down buttons or .accessibilityAction for reordering

Animation and Motion (WCAG 2.3.1)

• Always check @Environment(\.accessibilityReduceMotion) or UIAccessibility.isReduceMotionEnabled before using .animation() or withAnimation. Remove or simplify animations when reduce motion is enabled.

@Environment(\.accessibilityReduceMotion) var reduceMotion

withAnimation(reduceMotion ? nil : .spring()) {
    isExpanded.toggle()
}

Links (WCAG 2.4.4, 4.1.2)

• Use Link("text", destination: url) instead of a Button that calls openURL. This gives the element the correct link trait.
• Never use generic link text like "Click here", "Read more", "Learn more", or "Tap here". The link text must describe its destination.

// Good
Link("CVS Health Privacy Policy", destination: privacyURL)

// Bad — button used as link
Button("Click here") { openURL(privacyURL) }

Reading Order / Grouping (WCAG 1.3.1, 1.3.2)

• Use .accessibilityElement(children: .combine) on an HStack or VStack containing an Image and Text that represent a single concept, so VoiceOver reads them as one element.
  <<<<<<< HEAD
• In a ZStack, VoiceOver reads elements in source order (bottom to top visually), which often doesn't match the visual reading order. If overlaid elements are interactive, use .accessibilitySortPriority() or .accessibilityElement to control VoiceOver reading order — or restructure the view hierarchy so the source order matches the visual order.
• Only use .accessibilitySortPriority() when the visual layout genuinely doesn't match VoiceOver's default left-to-right, top-to-bottom order. Prefer restructuring the view hierarchy or using .accessibilityElement(children: .combine) first — sort priority overrides are fragile and easy to get wrong. Overusing .accessibilitySortPriority() across many elements makes the reading order hard to maintain.

// Good — combine image and text into one element
HStack {
    Image(systemName: "star.fill")
    Text("Favorites")
}
.accessibilityElement(children: .combine)

// Bad — ZStack with confusing reading order
ZStack {
    Image("background")
    VStack {
        Text("Title")
        Button("Action") { doSomething() }
    }
}
// VoiceOver reads Image first, then Title, then Button — but Image is behind everything.
// Fix: hide the background image and let the foreground content speak.

=======

• Use .accessibilityElement(children: .contain) and .accessibilityLabel("group label") on containers of related Buttons (radio-style choices, rating buttons, control groups) so VoiceOver announces the group context when the user navigates into the group. This is analogous to a <fieldset> with a <legend> in HTML.
• In a ZStack with multiple interactive elements, use .accessibilitySortPriority() or .accessibilityElement to control VoiceOver reading order.
• Only use .accessibilitySortPriority() when the visual layout genuinely doesn't match VoiceOver's default left-to-right, top-to-bottom order (e.g., ZStack overlays). Prefer restructuring the view hierarchy or using .accessibilityElement(children: .combine) first — sort priority overrides are fragile and easy to get wrong.

40d6936 (Add button-group-missing-container-label rule (WCAG 1.3.1))

Sheets and Modals (WCAG 2.4.3)

• Always include a ScrollView inside .sheet() and .fullScreenCover() so content remains accessible at large Dynamic Type sizes.
• Manage focus return on dismiss to avoid losing VoiceOver focus.

Tab Bars (WCAG 4.1.2, 2.4.2)

• Every tab in a TabView must have a .tabItem { Label("name", systemImage: "icon") }. A tab without any label is invisible to VoiceOver — users won't know what the tab is for.
• When using .badge(count), also add .accessibilityValue("\(count) notifications") because .badge() is not automatically read by VoiceOver.

// Good
TabView {
    HomeView()
        .tabItem { Label("Home", systemImage: "house") }
    SettingsView()
        .tabItem { Label("Settings", systemImage: "gear") }
        .badge(3)
        .accessibilityValue("3 notifications")
}

// Bad — tab has no label
TabView {
    HomeView()
        .tabItem { Image(systemName: "house") }
}

Accessibility Hidden (WCAG 4.1.2)

• Never apply .accessibilityHidden(true) on a container that has interactive children (Button, Toggle, TextField, etc.) — this hides them from VoiceOver completely.
• Only use .accessibilityHidden(true) on purely decorative elements.

Timing (WCAG 2.2.1)

• Content that auto-dismisses (using Task.sleep or asyncAfter with a dismiss) must give the user control to extend or pause the timer.

Orientation (WCAG 1.3.4)

• Never lock the app to a single orientation (portrait-only or landscape-only). Users with mounted devices (e.g., wheelchair mounts) may not be able to rotate their device.
• Do not override supportedInterfaceOrientations to return only .portrait or only .landscape.
• Do not call requestGeometryUpdate to force a single orientation.

// Bad — locks to portrait only
override var supportedInterfaceOrientations: UIInterfaceOrientationMask {
    .portrait
}

// Good — supports all orientations
override var supportedInterfaceOrientations: UIInterfaceOrientationMask {
    .allButUpsideDown
}

Accessibility Notifications

• Use UIAccessibility.post(notification: .announcement, argument: "message") to announce dynamic content changes to VoiceOver users (e.g., search result counts, form validation errors).
• Use .screenChanged when the entire screen changes and .layoutChanged when part of the screen changes.

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Source: ios-swiftui-accessibility-techniques by CVS Health — 85+ technique examples, 41 static analysis rules, 23 WCAG 2.2 criteria.