What We Know About Digital Accessibility for People with Cognitive, Learning, and Neurological Disabilities
Clayton Lewis · 2023 · ACM Computing Surveys
Summary
A comprehensive review of research on digital accessibility for people with cognitive, learning, and neurological disabilities. Examines the gap between current standards (which focus primarily on sensory and motor disabilities) and the needs of this broader population.
Key findings
Current web accessibility standards address only a fraction of the barriers faced by people with cognitive disabilities. The paper identifies key areas where standards fall short and where additional research is needed, including personalization, simplified interfaces, and consistent navigation.
Relevance
Critical reading for anyone working on WCAG conformance who wants to understand the limitations of a purely standards-based approach. Highlights the need for user testing with diverse disability groups.
Tags: cognitive accessibility · inclusive design · research review
Standards referenced: WCAG 2.2 · EN 301 549
Rating: 4 / 5