Simple changes to support people who process information differently
Cognitive differences are not always included in discussions about accessible content. While these differences aren’t always visible, they significantly impact how people interact with digital information. Cognitive differences and neurodivergence includes disabilities such as autism, ADHD, dyscalculia and dyslexia. It also includes people with intellectual disability and cognitive impairment in older adults. These differences can make navigating websites, understanding content, or completing online tasks challenging.
This article looks at how accessible content can make a real difference and how to easily incorporate these practices into your content workflow.
What is cognitive difference?
Cognitive difference refers to the different ways people think, learn and process information. These differences – whether or not an individual regards them as a disability – can affect a person’s life in various ways; from how they perform at work or school to how they interact with organisations and businesses online.
Cognitive difference in Australia
There are many experiences that can be described as cognitive differences or neurodivergences, but here are some of the most common types in Australia.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
ADHD affects about 1 in 20 Australians (1). It can affect focus, impulse control and time management.
Autism
About 1 in 40 Australians is autistic (2). Autism can influence how people communicate and interact socially, as well as how they process sensory information.
Cognitive impairment in older adults
Among Australians aged 65 or older, cognitive impairment (ranging from mild to severe) affects up to a third of people (3).
Dyscalculia
This learning difference relates to numerical understanding and affects about 6–7% of people (4).
Dyslexia
About 1 in 10 Australians are dyslexic. It affects a person’s ability to read and process written information (4).
Intellectual Disability
Thousands of Australians have an intellectual disability, with the precise prevalence depending on definitions used. Intellectual disability can affect cognitive functioning and daily living skills.
Content accessibility is good for everyone
Making content accessible can make a huge difference to people with permanent disability. But it is also good for anyone interacting with your digital content. Whether they have a permanent, temporary or situational impairment, these simple changes will give more of your audience a better user experience.
15 ways your content can better support cognitive differences
- Use clear, simple language: this helps everyone understand your content more easily. Avoid jargon and complex sentences. Use tools like Hemingway Editor to simplify your writing. This is particularly helpful for individuals with dyslexia, who may struggle with complex language.
- Break content into smaller chunks: this reduces cognitive load. Use short paragraphs, bullet points and subheadings to organise information. This is especially beneficial for people with ADHD, who may find it challenging to focus on large blocks of text.
- Use descriptive headings: clear headings assist users to navigate content. Use heading tags in the correct order and make sure they accurately describe the content that follows.
- Provide text alternatives for images: this supports users who may not process visual information well. Always include alt text for images that convey information.
- Use high contrast colours: this makes content easier to read. Ensure there’s sufficient contrast between text and background colours.
- Allow users to control audio and video:
- Avoid auto-playing media: unexpected sounds or movement can be disruptive. Set all media to not play automatically.
- Provide captions for videos: this helps users who may struggle with auditory processing. Include accurate, synchronised captions for all video content.
- Use a consistent layout: this assists users in predicting where to find information. Stick to a consistent design across your website or document.
- Offer flexible time limits: users who may need more time to process information will appreciate the breathing space. Allow users to extend or remove time limits on forms or tasks.
- Give options to access content: this accommodates different learning styles. Where possible, provide text, audio and visual versions of key information.
- Use readable fonts: to improve readability use sans-serif fonts, adequate text size (minimum 12pt for body text) and line spacing (1.2–1.5 for digital content).
- Have a site search function: this allows users to find information quickly.
- Provide a clear navigation structure: help users understand site layout with a logical menu and URL structure.
- Allow users to customise their experience: this lets users tailor the site to their needs. Offer options to change text size, colours or layout where possible. This is especially beneficial for older adults who may need to adjust text size or contrast for better readability.
World content accessibility guidelines supporting cognitive difference
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are internationally recognised standards for making digital content more accessible to people with disabilities, including those with cognitive differences.
These guidelines provide a framework for creating websites and digital content that are easier for anyone to use and understand. They cover aspects like clear language, predictable layouts and adaptable content.
While WCAG doesn’t focus exclusively on cognitive accessibility, it includes many recommendations that benefit users with cognitive differences, helping to ensure that digital spaces are more inclusive and user-friendly for all.
Simple changes for a big impact
These simple, easy to implement changes are about creating a better experience for everyone. They can significantly improve how all users interact with your content, not just those with cognitive differences. By building these practices into your content workflow, and sharing it with others, you’re contributing to an inclusive, accessible and welcoming digital environment for everyone.
References:
1 https://www.adhdaustralia.org.au/about-adhd/
2 https://www.aspect.org.au/news/at-least-1-in-40-australians-are-autistic
3 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10473991/
4 https://www.disabilitysupportguide.com.au/information/article/dyslexia-dyscalculia-and-dyspraxia
