Acceptance and adoption of mobile development technologies for accessibility in a public sector : A software practitioner's perspective

Abstract: With rapid technology growth and a rising disabled and aging population, mobile appaccessibility is vital. Stricter accessibility laws, especially in the public sector, highlight thisemphasis. However, despite this, the body of research focusing on software practitioners’perspectives, especially concerning cross-platform development, is lacking. In this qualitativecase study, six software practitioners at the Swedish Social Insurance Agency(Försäkringskassan) were interviewed about their experience during a migration betweenmobile development technologies, with a focus on enhancing mobile application accessibility.It explores their attitude to cross-platform development, their challenges with NativeScript, across-platform framework, and preferences for native technology. To further understand theiracceptance of native technology and their rejection of cross-platform technology in thiscontext, an extension of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM2) was used. Respondents emphasized the legal and ethical obligations for accessibility in the publicsector, with evolving standards necessitating the selection of the most appropriate technologyfor the task. Prioritizing accessibility early on in public sector app development helps avoidadditional expenses later on. It's also possible that private sector apps may be required to shifttowards greater inclusivity in the future. The team successfully addressed previous accessibility issues using native technology, whichinfluenced the organization to migrate. Moreover, respondents believed that nativetechnology enhances professional image, especially as the industry favors it over unknowncross-platform frameworks. They perceived that cross-platform frameworks might lackthorough documentation and community support, making it more difficult to manage andimplement accessibility. Additionally, respondents are alarmed by the uncertain nature ofcross-platform technology, which can result in outdated frameworks and unworkablecodebases. It's crucial to consider the duration of the project, its accessibility needs, and theavailable support for implementing accessibility when deciding on mobile developmenttechnologies. These findings are valuable for various stakeholders, such as consultants,researchers and policy-makers.