DESIGNING FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH COGNITIVE OR LEARNING DISABILITIES

INTRODUCTION

As a designer, understanding the needs of the user helps in creating solutions that are feasible, desirable, and viable, this is called Empathy. It is no wonder that this is the first step in the D School Design Thinking process. Designing with the end-user in mind and following an empathetic approach gives a fresh perspective and ensures greater success.

“Cognitive disabilities” is a term that refers to a broad range of conditions that include intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorders, severe, persistent mental illness, brain injury, stroke, and Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Cognitive disability is a term used to refer to when an individual has some specific limitations in his/her mental functions and abilities (like social skills, learning, self-help, communication, etc.). The cognitive disability is also called intellectual disability.

Inclusive design or empathetic design takes the idea of accessibility a step further, making websites and other digital products welcoming to all with special consideration to users with cognitive or learning disabilities. Inclusive design expands the audience for a digital product by including the diversity of ways people interact with that product and creating an optimal user experience.

Challenges Faced by Users

Individuals with cognitive or learning disabilities often encounter barriers in the digital and physical realms. Complex navigation, unclear instructions, and overwhelming visual stimuli can impede their ability to access information and participate fully in various activities. Acknowledging and addressing these challenges are vital for creating inclusive designs. People diagnosed with a cognitive disability will also find it difficult to user interfaces, apps, products, and websites that aren’t built with them in consideration. Although the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) do not completely address cognitive disabilities, there are some design considerations we can keep in mind to enhance web experiences for people with cognitive disabilities.

Cognitive Disabilities and Design

Outlined below are some tips to consider when designing for individuals with cognitive or learning disabilities:

- Keep it Clear and Simple

Maintain a clean and simple layout. Avoid clutter, and use a clear hierarchy to organize information.

Maintain consistency in design elements, such as colors, fonts, and navigation, to provide a predictable user experience.

Applying Jakob’s Law of UX which recommends the use of familiar patterns in design in order to facilitate user experience because users prefer when a site works the same way as all other sites they already know.

- Use Plain Language

Keep sentences short and to the point, and break down complex information into digestible chunks.

Ensure text is easily readable with a legible font, appropriate font size, and sufficient contrast between text and background.

- Multimodal Presentation

This refers to the integration of multiple modes of communication and expression, which can be perceived by senses such as sight, hearing, and touch. Using multiple modes of communication is helpful for conveying information to your audience.

Offer alternative formats for content, such as audio descriptions, captions, and transcripts for videos, to accommodate different learning styles. Use clear and simple visuals, icons, and images to supplement text.

- Feedback and Confirmation

Provide clear and immediate feedback for user actions. Use simple language to confirm successful completion of tasks.

Clearly communicate errors with simple language and provide guidance on how to correct them.

- Run User Testing:

Conduct usability testing with individuals who have cognitive or learning disabilities. Gather feedback and make iterative improvements based on their experiences.

Observe how users with cognitive disabilities interact with your digital content to identify specific challenges and areas for improvement.

- Provide Personalization Options

Allow users to personalize settings such as font size, color schemes, and contrast to meet their individual preferences and needs.

- Collaborate with Experts

Work with accessibility experts and individuals with cognitive disabilities to gain insights and feedback throughout the design process.

By incorporating these principles into your design process, you can create digital content that is not only accessible but also empathetic towards and inclusive for individuals with cognitive or learning disabilities. Remember that ongoing user feedback and a commitment to inclusivity will lead to continuous improvement in your designs.