Accessible interface icons
a comparative study of Apple and Google’s Guidelines on icons and accessibility
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5380/atoz.v14.97677Keywords:
Technology, Accessibility, Information Design, Graphical interfaces, IconographyAbstract
Introduction: Interface icons are graphic elements that help convey abstract and operational concepts throughmetaphors and associations. However, interface icons are not accessible to people with visual impairments and can be confusing for individuals with cognitive limitations or low digital literacy. Therefore, this study aims to investigate how interface icons can be made more accessible in graphical interfaces. Method: A comparative analysis of Apple and Google's icons and accessibility guidelines was conducted through content analysis, using the World Wide Web Consortium principles (2023) as comparison parameters. Results: Seven requirements for accessible interface icons were defined, including the use of labeling and the adoption of universal and intuitive icons. Conclusions: Although accessibility guidelines are primarily intended for people with disabilities, they address aspects that should be considered for all users. Therefore, we can affirm that accessibility is an integral part of good design.
References
Apple. (2024). Developer: Human Interface Guidelines. https://developer.apple.com/design/human-interface-guidelines
Bardin, L. (2011). Análise de Conteúdo. São Paulo: Edições 70.
Lei nº 13.146, de 6 de julho de 2015. (2015). Institui a Lei Brasileira de Inclusão da Pessoa com Deficiência (Estatuto da Pessoa com Deficiência). Brasília, Distrito Federal. https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/_ato2015-2018/2015/lei/l13146.htm
Cardoso, M. C.; Gonçalves, B. S.; & Oliveira, S. R. (2013). Avaliação de ícones para interface de um sistema médico on-line. InfoDesign - Revista Brasileira de Design da Informação, 10(1), 70-83. https://doi.org/10.51358/id.v10i1.177
Domingues, D. G. (2001). O Uso de Metáforas na Computação. Dissertação (Mestrado) – Escola de Comunicações e Artes, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo.
Gomes, D.; & Quaresma, M. (2018). Introdução ao Design Inclusivo. Curitiba: Appris.
Grilo, A. (2019). Experiência do usuário em interfaces digitais: compreendendo o design nas tecnologias de informação. Natal: SEDIS-UFRN.
Google. (2014). Material Design. https://m3.material.io/
Mounter, D.; Suarez, M.; Stanfield, R.; Sylor-miller, K.; & Anne, J. (2019). Design Systems Handbook. InVision.
Organização Internacional do Trabalho. Ministério Público do Trabalho. (2020). Incluir: o que, como e por que fazer? https://www.ilo.org/sites/default/files/wcmsp5/groups/public/@americas/@ro-lima/@ilo-brasilia/documents/publication/wcms_821892.pdf
World Wide Web Consortium [W3C]. (2026). Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1. https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG21/
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 AtoZ: novas práticas em informação e conhecimento

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Atoz is a open access journal and the authors have permission and are encouraged to deposit their papers in personal web pages, institutional repositories or portals before (pre-print) or after (post-print) the publication at AtoZ. It is just asked, when and where possible, the mention, as a bibliographic reference (including the atributted URL), to the AtoZ Journal.
The authors license the AtoZ for the solely purpose of disseminate the published work (peer reviewed version/post-print) in aggregation, curation and indexing systems.
The AtoZ is a Diadorim/IBICT green academic journal.
All the journal content (including instructions, editorial policies and templates) - except where otherwise indicated - is under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International, since October 2020.
When published by this journal, articles are free to share (copy and redistribute the material in any support or format for any purpose, even commercial) and adapt (remix, transform, and create from the material for any purpose , even if commercial). You must give appropriate credit , provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made
AtoZ does not apply any charges regarding manuscripts submission/processing and papers publication.
























