Evaluating Accessibility and Coordination Mechanisms in Employment Mobile Applications for Persons with Disabilities: A Content Analysis Study

Kiriyanthan Joseph M, Poothullil M M

Abstract: The rapid expansion of mobile-based employment platforms in India has transformed recruitment and job-search processes; however, their inclusivity for persons with disabilities (PwDs) remains uncertain. This study evaluates the extent to which employment-oriented mobile applications integrate accessibility features, communication structures, and coordination mechanisms that enable equitable participation for PwDs. Guided by the Social Model of Disability (Oliver, 2017) and Communication Accommodation Theory (Giles, 2016), a systematic content analysis was conducted on 32 employment-related mobile applications retrieved from the Google Play Store. The analysis examined interface design, navigation pathways, communication clarity, and accessibility supports relevant to digital employment coordination. Findings reveal substantial gaps: 72% of applications lack screen-reader compatibility, 74% contain inaccessible forms, 81% do not offer disability-sensitive job filters, 69% lack navigational cues, and 63% provide unclear instructional communication. These deficiencies significantly constrain autonomous job-search and application processes for PwDs and mirror broader patterns of digital marginalization within India?s labour market, where workforce participation among PwDs remains low at 36%. The study concludes that inclusive digital employment requires more than basic accessibility; it necessitates coordinated design, adaptive communication, and universal design principles. The findings contribute to international debates on digital inclusion, disability studies, and employment communication by highlighting how socio-technical neglect perpetuates exclusion in mobile employment ecosystems.

Keywords: accessibility, coordination mechanisms, employment, mobile applications, persons with disabilities

How to Cite?: Kiriyanthan Joseph M, Poothullil M M, "Evaluating Accessibility and Coordination Mechanisms in Employment Mobile Applications for Persons with Disabilities: A Content Analysis Study", Volume 15 Issue 1, January 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 185-187, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26102105057, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26102105057