Cognitive Accessibility Guide for Content Creators

Make your digital content easy for everyone to understand and use, including those with cognitive disabilities. Here's how:

• Use clear, simple language

• Organize with headings

• Break up long text

• Add helpful visuals

• Allow customization

Key areas to focus on:

1. Clear writing

2. User-friendly layouts

3. Accessible videos and interactive content

4. Content testing

Why it matters:

• 13% of American adults have a cognitive disability

• It's often required by law

• It helps ALL users, not just those with disabilities

This guide covers:

• Types of cognitive disabilities

• Key accessibility principles

• Content organization techniques

• Simple language tips

• Visual design best practices

• Website usability

• Video and interactive content accessibility

• Reducing overwhelm

• Customization options

• Testing methods

• Legal considerations

Let's dive in and learn how to create content that works for everyone.

Related video from YouTube

What Are Cognitive Disabilities?

Cognitive disabilities mess with how your brain handles info. They don't make you less smart, but they can make using websites and apps a real pain.

Types of Cognitive Disabilities

Here's a quick rundown:

• Dyslexia: Reading and writing become tricky

• ADHD: Focus? What's that?

• Autism: Social stuff gets complicated

• Dyscalculia: Numbers become your nemesis

• Dementia: Memory goes MIA

User Challenges

People with these disabilities face some tough online hurdles:

These issues can turn simple online tasks into a frustrating game of whack-a-mole. Imagine trying to read a wordy blog post when letters keep playing musical chairs (thanks, dyslexia). Or trying to watch a video while your brain keeps yelling "SQUIRREL!" at every flashy ad (looking at you, ADHD).

2. Key Ideas for Cognitive Accessibility

Let's look at how to make your content easy for everyone to understand.

2.1 Keep It Clear and Simple

Think of your content like a smoothie. You want it smooth, not chunky:

• Use everyday words

• Keep sentences short

• Break up text with bullet points

If a 5th grader can't get it, it's too complex.

2.2 Be Consistent

Consistency is like having a familiar friend guide users through your content:

• Use one layout throughout your site

• Use the same icons and buttons everywhere

• Keep your writing style steady

This helps users with cognitive disabilities feel more at ease.

2.3 Allow for Changes

Let users tweak things to their liking:

Giving users control makes your content more accessible to a wider audience.

3. How to Organize Content

Good content organization makes your writing easier to understand. This is especially true for people with cognitive disabilities. Let's look at two key ways to do this:

3.1 Use Clear Headings

Headings are like signposts for your content. They help readers navigate. Here's why they're important:

• They chunk text into smaller bits

• They show your content's structure

• They help readers scan and find info

A WebAIM survey found that 67.7% of screen reader users use headings to find information. That's huge!

To use headings effectively:

1. Use one h1 for your main title

2. Follow with h2, h3, and so on

3. Make headings describe the content below

4. Don't skip levels (like h2 to h4)

3.2 Break Up Content

Big text blocks are tough to read. Breaking up content helps. Here's how:

The ADA Site Compliance Team says:

4. Using Simple Language

Clear writing helps everyone. It's especially useful for people with cognitive disabilities, but it makes content easier for all readers.

4.1 Write Clearly

Keep it simple:

• Use short sentences (20 words max)

• Pick everyday words

• Explain tech terms

Instead of "The precipitation was excessive", say "It rained a lot."

Here's a fact: 50% of U.S. adults struggle with eighth-grade level books. Simpler language = wider audience.

4.2 Give Clear Instructions

Be direct and specific. Break tasks into small steps.

Example:

PLAIN suggests:

5. Making Content Easy to See

Let's talk about making your content pop. It's not just about looking good - it's about making sure everyone can read it easily.

5.1 Color Contrast: More Than Just Pretty

Ever squinted at a website? Yeah, that's bad color contrast. It's a big deal for folks with visual issues or color blindness.

Here's the scoop:

• Normal text? Aim for 4.5:1 contrast ratio

• Big text (18pt or 14pt bold)? 3:1 is fine

• Use WebAIM's Color Contrast Checker to double-check

Fun fact: About 4.5% of people are colorblind. So don't just rely on color to get your point across. Throw in some icons or patterns too.

5.2 Fonts: Choose Wisely

Fonts can make or break your content. Here's the lowdown:

• Go for sans-serif fonts (Arial, Helvetica, Verdana)

• Keep it 12-14pt

• Skip the italics and ALL CAPS

• Left-align that text

Got dyslexic readers? Some fonts are better than others:

6. Easy-to-Use Websites

People with cognitive disabilities need websites that are simple to use. Here's how to make that happen:

6.1 Simple Navigation

Think of navigation as your website's roadmap. It should guide users without confusing them.

To nail your navigation:

• Stick to 3-5 main menu items

• Put the menu at the top of the page

• Use clear labels like "About", "Products", and "Contact"

Add a search bar too. It's a quick way for users to find what they need.

6.2 Clear Labels and Buttons

Labels and buttons should be obvious. No guesswork allowed.

Here's the game plan:

• Use everyday words (e.g., "Buy Now" instead of "Proceed to Checkout")

• Make buttons pop with color and size

• Keep your style consistent across your site

Check out these real-world examples:

These companies make their sites easy to navigate. That's our goal too.

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7. Making Videos and Interactive Content Accessible

Videos and interactive content are great, but they need to work for everyone. Here's how to make your multimedia content accessible:

7.1 Add Captions and Transcripts

Captions and transcripts are a must. They help people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or in noisy places.

For captions:

• Sync them with the video

• Include dialogue and key sounds

• Use clear fonts

For transcripts:

• Write out all audio content

• Describe important visual elements

Don't trust auto-generated captions. They're often wrong. Always check and fix them yourself.

7.2 Describe Images with Text

Text descriptions are crucial for people who can't see images. They explain what's happening visually.

To do it right:

• Be clear and brief

• Focus on what matters

• Use simple words

Here's what good (and bad) image descriptions look like:

Good descriptions help everyone understand your content better.

Making your videos and interactive content accessible isn't optional. It's necessary. With millions of Americans having hearing or visual impairments, accessible content helps you reach way more people.

8. Making Content Less Overwhelming

Too much info can confuse users, especially those with cognitive issues. Let's fix that:

8.1 Remove Distractions

Cut the clutter. Help users focus on what matters.

• Ditch flashy ads and pop-ups

• Use white space

• Highlight key info visually

TED's website makeover in March 2022 proves this works. They simplified navigation and saw:

• 15% more user engagement

• 20% fewer bounces

8.2 Break Big Tasks into Small Steps

Big tasks scare people. So, chop them up.

Virgin Atlantic nails this. Their flight booking? 5 clear steps, each on its own page. Result? 14% more completed bookings in 2021.

Remember: Less is more. Keep it simple, keep it clear.

9. Let Users Change Settings

Flexible content helps users with cognitive disabilities. Here's how:

9.1 Changeable Text and Sound

Users should be able to adjust text and audio. Why? Because:

• Some need bigger text

• Others focus better with specific fonts or spacing

• Audio preferences vary

RNID, a UK hearing loss charity, does this well. Their site lets users increase text size by 300% without breaking the layout. It's spot-on with WCAG guidelines.

9.2 Different Color Options

Color choices can make or break user experience:

• Offer high contrast for better readability

• Let users pick their color schemes

• Test for common color vision issues

Partake Foods nails this. Their site has a toggle for:

• Text and cursor size changes

• Line height adjustments

• Image hiding

• Animation stopping

• Font switching

These aren't just nice-to-haves. For many, they're essential to use your content at all.

10. Checking Your Content

Want to make your content accessible for people with cognitive disabilities? Here's how:

10.1 Ask Users for Feedback

Get input from people with cognitive disabilities. They'll spot things you might miss:

• Run user testing sessions

• Ask them to navigate your content and share thoughts

• Note where they struggle

WebAIM found that 85% of home page accessibility issues could be fixed by involving users with disabilities in testing.

10.2 Use Accessibility Tools

Tools can help find and fix issues. Top picks:

But remember: tools can't catch everything. Use them with user feedback for best results.

11. Tips for Different Types of Content

Let's make content easy for everyone to understand. Here's how to do it for different content types:

11.1 Written Content

Want to make your text a breeze to read? Here's how:

• Keep it simple: Short words, short sentences

• Chunk it up: Break text into bite-sized pieces

• Use headings: They're like signposts for your content

• Love those bullet points: They make lists pop

Quick guide:

Aim for middle-school level writing. It's not dumbing down - it's opening up.

11.2 Audio and Video Content

For audio and video, focus on these three things:

1. Captions

They're not just for the deaf. Captions help:

• People watching on mute

• Language learners

• Anyone in a noisy place

2. Transcripts

Text versions of your media let users:

• Read at their own speed

• Find specific info fast

• Access content without playing it

3. Audio Descriptions

Paint the picture for those who can't see it. Example: "The graph shows a 50% sales jump over three months."

Two more quick tips:

• Skip autoplay: Let users hit play when they're ready

• Pick an accessible player: It should play nice with keyboards and screen readers

Remember: Good accessibility isn't just nice - it's necessary.

12. Legal and Ethical Issues

Making content accessible isn't just nice - it's often the law. Let's dive in.

12.1 Accessibility Laws

Many countries require websites and apps to be accessible, including for people with cognitive disabilities. Key laws include:

• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): Covers websites and apps in the U.S.

• Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG): The gold standard for web accessibility.

• European Accessibility Act (EAA): Coming in 2025 for digital products in the EU.

12.2 Beyond the Law

Accessibility isn't just about legal compliance. It's about fairness and reaching more people:

• Wider audience

• Better for everyone

• Avoid legal trouble

Making your content accessible is a win-win. It's not just the right thing to do - it's good for business too.

Conclusion

Creating content with cognitive accessibility isn't optional. It's crucial. Here's why:

• 27% of Canadians 15+ have disabilities affecting daily activities. That's a lot of people.

• Many countries now require digital accessibility by law.

• Clear, simple content helps everyone, not just those with cognitive disabilities.

How to improve:

1. Start early: Build accessibility into your content from the get-go.

2. Keep it simple: Use clear language and short sentences. Break up content.

3. Offer options: Provide content in different formats (text, audio, video, images).

4. Test with real users: Get feedback from people with cognitive disabilities.

5. Stay updated: Keep learning about accessibility guidelines.

Small changes make a big difference. Even font choice or color contrast can boost readability.

By doing this, we're creating a more inclusive digital world.

Let's make the web a place where everyone can thrive, no matter their cognitive abilities.

FAQs

What is the cognitive principle of accessibility?

The cognitive principle of accessibility is all about making digital stuff easy for everyone to use and understand. It's not just for tech whizzes - it's for people with different thinking abilities too.

Here's the deal:

• It makes websites and apps user-friendly for all

• It's about keeping things clear and simple

• It helps folks with conditions like autism, ADHD, or dyslexia

Glenda Sims and Jennie Delisi from Deque put it this way:

Want to make your content more accessible? Try these:

• Use simple words

• Break up your content into bite-sized pieces

• Offer different ways to get info (like text, audio, or video)

• Keep your web pages clutter-free

• Give clear instructions

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