Qualification criteria
Apps are assessed against rigorously developed standards for functionality, disability accessibility and use by children.
UNICEF in collaboration with independent technology experts and persons with disabilities assessed apps designed to support children with disabilities, caregivers or parents of children with disabilities, and adolescents with disabilities. Currently only 1 out of every 7 apps submitted meet UNICEF’s qualification criteria of quality and accessibility.
Disabilities
Apps that support children with disabilities and their caregivers
Apps are assessed against mandatory, functional, accessibility and child-friendly criteria and are reviewed by persons with disabilities. If the app does not fulfill the minimum criteria at any level of assessment then the evaluation of the app does not proceed to the next level.
For a more accessible version of the qualification criteria, please download the UNICEF App Catalogue- Qualification criteria PDF.
Mandatory criteria
Apps must fulfill all of the mandatory criteria.
| Device availability | App can be downloaded from iOS and Android stores |
| Data collection | User consent explicitly requested for collecting data |
| Data sharing | App does not share personally identifiable information to third parties without explicit user consent |
| Data privacy and protection terms | Data privacy and protection terms and conditions are available online |
| Data marketing | Children’s data collected by the app is used not used for marketing by first, second or third parties |
| Guest login | Guest login available to reach beyond a paywall or premium restricted access. |
Accessibility criteria
To ensure apps are accessible and inclusive, they must meet the minimum score for all four attributes referencing the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1.
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Description |
App has the proper description and labels for all elements including images, form fields, and time-based media |
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Navigability |
The user can easily navigate all the major elements and the app operates in predictable ways |
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Compatibility |
App contains proper instructions, structure and user interface component |
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Colour / visuality |
App contains proper visual representation and sound quality. |
Functional criteria
Apps are scored against functional criteria, but they do not have to meet all requirements.
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App maintenance |
App is regularly updated (at least every six months) |
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Global accessibility |
Digital access available globally |
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App rating |
App rating by app users on Google and Apple store platform |
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Language availability |
App available in multiple languages |
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Open source |
App source code is released, and the copyright holder grants users the rights to use, study, change, and distribute the software to anyone and for any purpose. |
Child friendly criteria
Apps are evaluated for the services provided to reduce or remove risks that endanger child safety.
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Non-violent content |
App does not contain sexual themes, violence, obscene, or other mature themes not suitable for young audiences under 18 |
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Parental control |
App allows parents to restrict usage controls such as placing time-limits on usage or restrict certain content viewable by their children. |
User feedback experience
Users with vision, mobility, cognitive or hearing impairment independently review and score apps on their usability, with or without the help of their assistive technology.
Accessibility badges
Apps that receive high scores from users are awarded an accessibility badge. There are four types of accessibility badges: mobility friendly, cognitive friendly, visual friendly and hearing friendly badges.
User feedback: Motor impairment
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App availability
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App is clearly identified in the app store and a user with a motor disability can successfully install the application |
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General usability |
A user with a motor disability can explore the application with his/her assistive technology without any major issues |
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Suggestive feedback |
Suggestions to improve the app usability with assistive technology are shared with the developer for their consideration. |
User feedback: Vision impairment
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App availability |
App is clearly identified in the app store and a user with a vision impairment can successfully install the application |
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General usability |
A user with a vision impairment can explore the application with his/her assistive technology without any major issues |
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Suggestive feedback |
Suggestions to improve the app usability with assistive technology are shared with the developer for their consideration. |
User feedback: Cognitive impairment
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App availability |
App is clearly identified in the application store and a user with a cognitive impairment can successfully install the application |
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General usability |
A user with a cognitive impairment can explore the app with his/her assistive technology without any major issues |
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Suggestive feedback |
Suggestions to improve the app usability with assistive technology are shared with the developer for their consideration. |
User feedback: Hearing impairment
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App availability |
App is clearly identified in the application store and a user with a hearing impairment can successfully install the application |
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General usability |
A user with a hearing impairment can explore the application without his/her assistive products without any major issues |
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Suggestive feedback |
Suggestions to improve the app usability with assistive technology are shared with the developer for their consideration. |
If you have suggestions or feedback on UNICEF’s qualification criteria for reviewing apps in the Catalogue, please contact us. We would love to hear from you.