Steward
Cognitive Accessibility
Designing for people’s different needs for understanding, memory and attention.
What is Cognitive Accessibility?
Designing for people’s different needs for understanding, memory and attention.
What you learn
Don’t make tasks depend on memory, speed or jargon.
When it helps
a simple-looking task stumps some people, or your research leaves out cognitive disabilities.
Use it at work
- Use plain words and short steps.
- Don’t make people remember things from step to step.
- Remove time limits, or let people extend them.
- Make it easy to undo, pause and come back.
Your output
Do one task in your product slowly and while distracted. Mark every step that relies on memory, speed or unfamiliar words.
Watch for
Steps that test memory, rush people, or use specialist words.
Related practices
Sources
- Making Content Usable for People with Cognitive and Learning Disabilities
- Usability Testing, Focus Groups, and Feedback
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