Introduction — Accessibility as a core wallet principle

Cobo Wallet serves a global and diverse audience, and accessibility is central to creating a secure, usable, and equitable product. Accessibility in this context means designing login, recovery, and routine account management workflows so that people who use screen readers, keyboard navigation, magnification, voice control, or other assistive technologies can interact with the wallet confidently and independently.

This guide outlines practical features to look for in the Cobo experience, how to use them, what trade-offs to expect, and how product teams can ensure those pathways remain robust over time. The goal is to bridge security and inclusivity: protecting assets while making the tools genuinely usable for everyone.

Why accessibility specifically matters for wallets

Wallets sit at the intersection of identity, assets, and control. If login or recovery flows are inaccessible, users can be excluded from their own funds or pushed into risky fallback behaviors (like writing passwords on paper that others can see). Inclusive authentication improves usability for people with permanent disabilities and everyday situations—noisy environments, small screens, or temporary injuries.

Accessibility also strengthens security: clear messages, precise focus states, and reliable failure modes reduce errors that can be exploited or that result in lockouts. For a financial tool such as Cobo, accessibility equals resilience.

Keyboard-First Interaction & focus management

Many users rely on a keyboard or alternative input devices to navigate. Cobo Wallet’s login should be fully operable without a mouse: logical tab order, visible high-contrast focus indicators, accessible “skip to” links, and predictable focus return after modals or dialogs are essential. Keyboard traps in badly implemented modals or non-semantic custom controls are a common accessibility failure; the wallet must avoid them.

  • Ensure form sequence matches visual reading order (email/username → password → submit).
  • Expose keyboard shortcuts only when discoverable and avoid conflicting with assistive tech.
  • When overlays appear (e.g., 2FA prompt), trap focus inside and restore focus on close.

Screen-reader compatibility & semantic markup

Semantic HTML is the foundation of screen-reader accessibility. Inputs must have explicit `

Testing with NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack is critical: each screen reader renders web content slightly differently. Where possible, rely on native input types (e.g., `type="email"`, `type="tel"`) so mobile OS and assistive tech provide optimized keyboards and hints.

Visual accessibility: contrast, scaling & themes

Visual clarity matters for users with low vision and for everyone on small or bright screens. Maintain contrast ratios that meet WCAG 2.1 AA (4.5:1 for normal text), support system text scaling to at least 200%, and provide an accessible high-contrast theme. Buttons, error indicators, and focus outlines should not rely solely on color—use icons and text as well.

  • Offer a large text mode and ensure components layout responsively without clipping.
  • Label iconography with visible text or `aria-label` equivalents.

Audio & video guidance — captions & transcripts

If Cobo offers onboarding videos, voice guidance, or interactive help, include captions, transcripts, and an accessible player. Avoid autoplaying audio or video on login screens. Provide a clear control to start tutorials, and ensure keyboard operability. Transcripts are especially valuable for users with hearing loss or who prefer text-based instructions.

Authentication choices: accessible MFA & recovery

Security must not exclude. Cobo Wallet should offer multiple MFA options—hardware security keys (WebAuthn), TOTP authenticator apps, and alternative recovery methods. Hardware keys can be highly accessible: a single tap is often simpler than reading codes. TOTP flows should provide both QR-based and manual entry methods with clear, accessible instructions and backup codes offered in an accessible, downloadable format.

Recovery processes must be stepwise, avoid heavy cognitive load, and give accessible alternatives for those who cannot use SMS or voice channels. Document the accessibility trade-offs for each method so users can choose what works for them.

Mobile accessibility & touch targets

Many users access wallets primarily via mobile. Tap targets must be large enough to avoid accidental touches, labels must remain visible in constrained layouts, and gestures should never be the only way to perform essential actions. Integrations with OS-level accessibility features (VoiceOver, TalkBack, Switch Control, Voice Access) should be verified so users can authenticate using assistive input or voice when appropriate.

Privacy & assistive technology: what to consider

Some assistive technologies route content through third-party cloud services (e.g., speech-to-text). Cobo should be transparent about what data is shared during authentication and provide privacy-preserving alternatives where feasible. For example, local TTS and screen-reader usage keep sensitive flows on-device. Clearly explain any data flow involved in recovery or voice-based features so users with privacy concerns can choose alternatives.

Developer best practices & design patterns

Product teams should adopt accessible components, document expected behaviors, and include accessibility as part of the design handoff. Prefer native elements, keep ARIA as a supplement, and maintain an accessibility pattern library. Automate linting for common issues (missing labels, low contrast) and pair automated checks with human reviews and assistive tech testing.

  • Create accessible component stories in your design system and include keyboard and screen-reader demonstrations.
  • Document fallback behaviors and test edge cases like slow networks or partial JS failure.

Testing & QA — human-led verification

Automated tools (axe, Lighthouse) find a subset of issues but cannot replace manual testing. Include users with disabilities in usability testing sessions, run flows with NVDA/VoiceOver/TalkBack, and perform keyboard-only walkthroughs for login, 2FA enrollment, and account recovery. Track accessibility regressions in CI, and treat them with the same priority as functional regressions.

Usability testing should also include people who are older, have limited dexterity, or use non-standard devices—these perspectives uncover real-world pitfalls.

Conclusion & practical checklist

Accessibility in Cobo Wallet is a continuous practice that strengthens security, reduces support friction, and makes the product more inclusive. Below is a short checklist you can use immediately:

  • Keyboard operability: validate tab order and focus visibility.
  • Screen-reader support: labels, `aria-describedby`, and `aria-live` for errors.
  • High contrast & scaling: support 200% text scaling and high-contrast themes.
  • Accessible MFA: offer multiple, documented methods and accessible backup codes.
  • Privacy transparency: document data flows for assistive services.
  • Testing: combine automated checks with human testing and real users.

Small, repeatable actions—labeling inputs correctly, avoiding color-only cues, and documenting recovery instructions—produce measurable improvements. Accessibility is not an add-on: it is how you build resilient, trustworthy wallets that everyone can use.