Blind SA and Checkers Sixty60 partner to boost app accessibility

In a landmark move for digital inclusion, Blind SA has partnered with Checkers to enhance the accessibility of the Checkers Sixty60 app, ensuring a smoother, more inclusive online shopping experience for blind and partially sighted users.

The collaboration follows last October’s relaunch of the Checkers Sixty60 app, which drew immediate feedback from visually impaired users.

In response, Blind SA, an NPO championing the rights of blind South Africans, engaged directly with the Sixty60 development team to highlight critical accessibility challenges.

Key figures from Blind SA, including president Christo de Klerk, CEO Jace Nair, and advocacy committee member Nicole Roos, worked closely with Checkers, providing detailed input and voice recordings from Apple’s VoiceOver screen reader to demonstrate real-world issues encountered by users.

“Since the app update this January, it is much more accessible. Checkers Sixty60 didn’t just fix the problems. They invested in their team, providing accessibility training for developers, product owners and testers. That’s kind of systemic change creates lasting impact,” De Klerk said.

Major accessibility improvements

The revamped app now boasts several accessibility enhancements, including

• accessible onboarding: A fully screen reader-friendly sign-up process, with clearly labelled input fields and audible guidance for one-time password (OTP) entry;

• product cards: Blind users can quickly add items to their baskets and access detailed product information through improved voice feedback;

• user-created shopping lists: Users can independently and easily create and edit shopping lists;

• order summary and basket summaries: These now feature properly labelled buttons, intuitive controls and accessible icons, including enhancements to delivery slot selection and CVV entry;

• product search: Improved voice search support and feedback, allowing users to confirm search terms and navigate results easily;

• edit my details section: Now fully navigable with screen readers, with real-time audio feedback on entries.

More enhancements on the horizon

Despite substantial progress, several areas are undergoing refinement. Planned updates include

• Bottom tab navigation: Future updates will let users hear basket totals and savings from the navigation bar;

• Basket adjustments: Visually impaired users will soon be able to adjust item quantities more easily;

• Onboarding enhancements: Further refinements to button labelling and functionality are in the pipeline.

Roos highlighted the importance of ongoing collaboration, “Despite not resolving all the accessibility issues, Checkers continues to directly engage with us. I hope other retailers follow their lead to ensure true digital equality.”
Blind SA encourages other retailers to take proactive steps towards accessibility. Organisations seeking guidance can contact Blind SA on 011 839 1793.

A model for inclusive innovation

Checkers’ efforts have been widely praised as a benchmark for inclusive design in the retail sector.

“Checkers serves as a role model for other companies in their commitment to engage with blind users and improve their app for blind and partially sighted shoppers,” said de Klerk.

With digital platforms becoming increasingly central to daily life, this collaboration stands as a powerful reminder of the impact of inclusive design in technology and the broader pursuit of equality.