Cognitive Load and Web Accessibility: Quick Tips for Clearer Content

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) is designed to improve experiences for all users with disabilities. That includes people who have cognitive disabilities and learning disabilities — but those users are often left out of the discussion. 

Why? For starters, it’s difficult to come up with simple rules that improve cognitive load.

In this context, cognitive load refers to the mental effort that a person needs to use to complete a task. A well-designed website should minimize cognitive load, but that may mean different things to different designers and developers. 

In this article, we’ll discuss how cognitive load impacts accessibility. We’ll also provide some quick tips for making content more accessible for people with a wide range of cognitive abilities.

Why Cognitive Load Matters for Website Accessibility

A complex or poorly organized website can be challenging for anyone. If you’ve ever opened a website and thought, “there’s too much on this page, and I can’t focus,” you’ve experienced a site with high cognitive load!

However, complex content can be a more significant issue for users with conditions such as:

• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
• Autism Spectrum Disorder.
• Memory impairments.
• Learning disabilities like dyslexia.

All of these are common conditions. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 1 in 10 adults in the United States report subjective cognitive decline. Dyslexia is thought to be the most common learning disability and impacts about 20% of the population. 

For users with these conditions, complex web content may be frustrating or completely unusable.  

It’s true that some content needs to be complicated; if you’re providing dozens of charts about a company’s stock performance, for example, that page will probably have a high cognitive load. 

But usually, complex content can be simplified. For example, there’s no reason for an e-commerce website to have a single order form with 36 different fields — and improvements to cognitive accessibility will benefit every user.

Quick Ways to Improve Cognitive Accessibility

To make your content more accessible, you should start thinking about cognitive load when designing your website. Many of these recommendations align with the "Understandable" principle of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

• Maintain a consistent layout and navigation. Components that have the same function should be identified consistently across all pages. For example, a "Search" button should not be labeled "Find" on a different page. Learn more: Why Consistency is Important to Accessible Design.
• Write in plain language. Avoid jargon and idioms wherever possible and try to use simple sentence structures. When technical terms are necessary, provide a plain-language definition or link to a glossary. 
• Use clear, descriptive headings. Break up long blocks of content with headings and subheadings. Where appropriate, use HTML lists with proper formatting (like this one). Well-structured content is easier to process and understand. 
• Design predictable and simple processes. For tasks like filling out a form or completing a purchase, provide clear instructions and break the process into logical, manageable steps. 
• Avoid time limits whenever possible. If time limits are necessary, make sure they can be extended. Learn more: Web Accessibility Tips: Give People Enough Time.
• Minimize distractions. Autoplay is bad for accessibility (and most users hate it). Avoid autoplay videos, blinking graphics, and other forms of moving content; if moving content is absolutely necessary, provide a mechanism for the user to pause, stop, or hide it. 
• Simplify authentication. Avoid processes that rely heavily on memory. Instead of complex password requirements, consider offering alternative authentication methods. Learn more: How To Make Your Website's Authentication Process Accessible.

Remember, accessibility is much easier (and a much better investment) if you embrace WCAG during the first stages of web development. The Bureau of Internet Accessibility provides thorough WCAG audits, expert consulting, and remediation support to help your organization adopt an accessibility-first mindset — and enjoy the benefits of inclusive design.

Send us a message to learn how we can help your organization achieve its accessibility goals.