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Dive into the key guidelines to make your digital product accessible for neurodiversity

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UnderstandING

But, what does neurodiversity mean?

Neurodiversity refers to the variety of ways in which the human brain processes information. This includes conditions such as ADHD, Dyslexia, and Autism. By recognizing and addressing the needs of neurodiverse individuals, we can create digital experiences that are accessible to everyone.

In NUmbers

15-20% of the world population is neurodiverse

When you design applications solely for a neurotypical population, you risk marginalizing, or outright excluding, one in five potential users. In addition, many users experience temporary or contextual impairments, such as fatigue or stress, which can affect their cognitive abilities.

Digital Accesibility

Cognitive barriers in digital products

Digital products often present barriers for users with cognitive difficulties. Some common examples can be complex navigation, overwhelming information, lack of clear instructions or distracting layouts.

UnderstandING

But, what does neurodiversity mean?

Neurodiversity refers to the variety of ways in which the human brain processes information. This includes conditions such as ADHD, Dyslexia, and Autism. By recognizing and addressing the needs of neurodiverse individuals, we can create digital experiences that are accessible to everyone.

In NUmbers

15-20% of the world population is neurodiverse

When you design applications solely for a neurotypical population, you risk marginalizing, or outright excluding, one in five potential users. In addition, many users experience temporary or contextual impairments, such as fatigue or stress, which can affect their cognitive abilities.

Digital Accesibility

Cognitive barriers in digital products

Digital products often present barriers for users with cognitive difficulties. Some common examples can be complex navigation, overwhelming information, lack of clear instructions or distracting layouts.

Some MAIN principles

01

Improving Readability

Dense blocks of text can be overwhelming. Use short paragraphs, simpler language, clear headings, bullet points and ample white space to improve readability.

02

Clear Navigation

Complex navigation can confuse users. Simplify navigation menus and provide multiple, clear and consistent paths to important information. Some users may prefer a table of contents, site map, or search functionality.

03

Interactive elements

Inputs, selects, textareas, buttons and links require the highest consideration, since they are the staple of navigation and connection. Designing elements to have an appearance of being 'clickable' reduces hesitation and ambiguity.

04

Avoid pressure

Stay away from high-pressure and time-restricted interactions that require a quick or immediate reaction. Always give the user a possibility to complete the action later on, and retrieve a half-way process.
An example of a good practice on readability, where the contet has a hierarchy, is enough spaced and include bullet pointsAn example of a bad practice on readability, where the content is poorly organized and differenciatedAn example of a good practice on navigation, where the pages are clearly displayed and the page areas differenciated with coloursAn example of a bad practice on navigation, where the site is cluttered and the page menu is unclearAn example of a good practice on interaction, where buttons, imputs, select and text areas look clickableAn example of a bad practice on interaction, where buttons, textareas, imputs and selects look flat and it is not clear wheather they are clickableAn example of a good practice on avoiding pressure, where the user can exit the process and choose to continue laterAn example of a bad practice on time pressure, where a pop-up can't be closed and the user doesn't have the option to continue the process later

Some MAIN principles

01

Improving Readability

Dense blocks of text can be overwhelming. Use short paragraphs, simpler language, clear headings, bullet points and ample white space to improve readability.
An example of a good practice on readability, where the contet has a hierarchy, is enough spaced and include bullet pointsAn example of a bad practice on readability, where the content is poorly organized and differenciated

02

Clear Navigation

Complex navigation can confuse users. Simplify navigation menus and provide multiple, clear and consistent paths to important information. Some users may prefer a table of contents, site map, or search functionality.
An example of a good practice on navigation, where the pages are clearly displayed and the page areas differenciated with coloursAn example of a bad practice on navigation, where the site is cluttered and the page menu is unclear

03

Interactive elements

Inputs, selects, textareas, buttons and links require the highest consideration, since they are the staple of navigation and connection. Designing elements to have an appearance of being 'clickable' reduces hesitation and ambiguity.
An example of a good practice on interaction, where buttons, imputs, select and text areas look clickableAn example of a bad practice on interaction, where buttons, textareas, imputs and selects look flat and it is not clear wheather they are clickable

04

Avoid pressure

Stay away from high-pressure and time-restricted interactions that require a quick or immediate reaction. Always give the user a possibility to complete the action later on, and retrieve a half-way process.
An example of a good practice on avoiding pressure, where the user can exit the process and choose to continue laterAn example of a bad practice on time pressure, where a pop-up can't be closed and the user doesn't have the option to continue the process later

Useful resources

Websites and articles by Web Design experts to further help you improve accesibility

Website

Neurodiversity Design System

The NDS is a coherent set of standards and principles that combine neurodiversity and user experience design for Learning Management Systems. Design accessible learning interfaces to support success and achievement for everyone.

Neurodiversity Design System by Will Soward
Article

Web accessibility for cognitive, learning and neurological impairments

Creating great navigation for users should be one of the most important things that a professional needs to take in consideration. It is not an unknown fact that we are all in a hurry, and usually, the projects are having...

Andreea Popescu At UX Collective
Website

Cognitive accessibility

Cognitive accessibility covers accessibility considerations for people with cognition and learning disabilities. This document introduces cognitive accessibility and improving accessibility of the web for people with cognitive and learning differences.

Mdn web docs
Website

IBM Accesibility

Accessibility is a team effort. 
What we offer: Tools and resources to build offerings that are usable and delightful for people of all abilities.

IBM

About

Divergent Web aims to leave nobody behind in digitalization processes

The website "Divergent Web" aims to educate and inspire digital designers and developers to incorporate accessibility practices for users with cognitive impairments. It is a work-in-progress and collaborative project, wanting to provide clear examples, statistics, and resources to help understand the importance of cognitive accessibility and how to implement it effectively. If you want to contribute with more resources get in touch by using the formular.

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