Tools, Kits, and Empowerment
Mantis & Co. Predicts: Tools, kits, plugins, and services will empower design delivery by presenting data in ways that democratize accessibility outcomes and successes.
Mantis & Co. Predicts: There will be a focus on creating lasting change in accessibility programs and services. We anticipate a shift further left, integrating new and creative means of proactive accessibility support, not only in design but also in product strategy. With the rise of niche, small businesses offering innovative ways to cut costs and barriers, we predict that 2025 will be a year of thinking outside the audit box.
Mobile iOS & Android Accessibility
Mantis & Co. Predicts: The CVS Health Inclusive Design Annotation Kit for iOS, released in 2024, will continue to see increased utilization in 2025. We predict a growing understanding and adoption of tools that make mobile accessibility more approachable for professionals. While web accessibility remains a comfort zone for practitioners, we are seeing a shift toward native mobile accessibility. More tools to democratize approaches to native mobile accessibility are needed and anticipated.
Spotlight: The State of Mobile App Accessibility in 2025
Ben Ogilvie, Head of Accessibility at ArcTouch and Mark Steadman, Director of Accessibility Engineering at Fidelity Investments, will be sharing their insights at axe-con 2025 in the talk: “The State of Mobile App Accessibility in 2025.”
Their session will explore findings from an in-depth analysis of leading iOS and Android apps, uncovering common accessibility barriers and providing practical recommendations for building more inclusive experiences.
Discover more about this sessionUX Research
Mantis & Co. Predicts: We owe much to Fable for paving the way for design teams to connect more easily with the disability community. However, there is more work to be done to create space for disabled people in design, strategy, leadership, and engineering—going beyond just including people in studies. We believe the future is by, with, and for people with disabilities, and this will take on a deeper meaning in 2025.
AI for Accessibility
Mantis & Co. Predicts: With the popularization of design tools like Writer, which significantly enhances consistency across experiences, we expect to see more AI solutions emerge in 2025 that streamline design workflows. Another tool to watch is Stark, as AI continues to shape accessibility practices.
