Problem catalog
Accessibility Smells
A smell identifies where a user task can be blocked. Follow the sequence to explore the problems and common overcorrections.
the control exists, the name doesn't.
addressed by 3 patterns · 4 chapters
smell Label Soupthe screen reads as implementation fragments.
addressed by 5 patterns · 4 chapters
smell Over Grouped Controlthe fix for label soup buried the controls.
addressed by 2 patterns · 4 chapters
smell Reading Order Driftevery element is there, in the wrong order.
addressed by 2 patterns · 4 chapters
smell Color Only Statethe state is visible, but only as color.
addressed by 3 patterns · 5 chapters
smell Silent Errorthe error is on screen, recovery doesn't start.
addressed by 8 patterns · 6 chapters
smell Announcement Spamthe fix for silent state interrupts everything.
addressed by 6 patterns · 5 chapters
smell Focus Black Holea sheet, update or error loses the user's place.
addressed by 4 patterns · 6 chapters
smell Skeleton Noiseloading placeholders pretend to be content.
addressed by 4 patterns · 4 chapters
smell Clipped Large Texta larger text size breaks the task.
addressed by 2 patterns · 4 chapters
smell Disabled Mysteryprogress is blocked without a reason.
addressed by 4 patterns · 4 chapters
smell Swipe Trapthe action exists only as a gesture.
addressed by 5 patterns · 6 chapters
smell Edge Gesture Collisionapp gestures collide with system edge gestures.
addressed by 5 patterns · 3 chapters
smell Tiny Targetthe action exists but is hard to hit.
addressed by 3 patterns · 3 chapters
smell Duplicate Voice Commandaction names aren't unique.
addressed by 4 patterns · 4 chapters
smell Animation Only Feedbackthe result exists only as motion.
addressed by 3 patterns · 4 chapters
smell Audio Only Taskthe instruction exists only as sound.
addressed by 2 patterns · 3 chapters
smell Map Dead Enda map is the only path.
addressed by 1 patterns · 3 chapters
smell Platform Copy PasteiPhone interaction copied to iPad or Mac.
addressed by 2 patterns · 3 chapters
smell Timeout Pressuretime limits ignore the slower assistive path.
addressed by 2 patterns · 4 chapters
smell Scanner Theatera tool result replaces task evidence.
addressed by 6 patterns · 6 chapters
smell AI Verification TheaterAI output replaces verification.
addressed by 3 patterns · 5 chapters
smell Compliance Theaterlegal wording replaces product evidence.
addressed by 5 patterns · 4 chapters
smell Vendor Blind Spota third-party screen blocks the task and escapes review.
addressed by 5 patterns · 4 chapters
smell App Store Label DriftApp Store claims drift from task evidence.
addressed by 3 patterns · 2 chapters