Who it helps
Website accessibility for people with cognitive disabilities
One-click profile
Cognitive
A plain font, clear links and a calmer page. Visitors turn it on with one click from the panel.
- Readable font
- Highlight links
- Stop animations
- Reading guide
The barriers
What makes websites hard to use?
Common problems for cognitive and learning disabilities visitors, and the reason the tools below exist.
Complex language
Long sentences, jargon, idioms and unexplained abbreviations make content hard to understand and slow to read.
Busy or inconsistent layouts
Too many choices, cluttered pages and menus that change from page to page make it hard to find things and know where you are.
Distractions
Moving, blinking or flickering content, and background audio that can't be turned off, make it hard to focus.
Tasks that rely on memory
Multi-step forms, time-outs, and passwords or codes that must be remembered or retyped can stop people from finishing a task.
The tools
Which tools help?
Each one is a tile in the panel. Visitors switch it on, and it stays on as they browse.
- Read aloudReads text out loud when it's clicked, so visitors can listen instead of reading, or do both at once.On
- Readable fontSwitches text to a plain sans-serif font in place of decorative or condensed fonts that can be harder to read.On
- Highlight linksMarks every link with a yellow background and an underline, so it's clear what can be clicked.On
- Reading guideShows a bar that follows the pointer, which helps visitors keep their place while reading.On
- Page structureLists the page's headings, so visitors can see how the page is organized and jump to the part they need.Opens a list
- Stop animationsStops animations and pauses videos, so moving content doesn't pull attention away.On
For site owners
What should you fix in your own code?
The tools help visitors adapt your pages, but they can't fix how your site is built. These changes make the biggest difference.
- Write in plain language: short sentences, common words and one idea per paragraph. Explain any term the reader might not know. Our website accessibility checklist has more content checks.
- Keep navigation, layout and help links in the same place on every page (WCAG 3.2.3 and 3.2.6).
- Make forms forgiving: clear labels with examples, error messages that explain the fix, and no asking for the same information twice (WCAG 3.3.7).
- Don't make people solve puzzles or remember passwords to log in. Allow pasting and password managers (WCAG 3.3.8).
- Remove moving content and background audio, or give clear controls to pause and stop them.
- Use the W3C's Making Content Usable for People with Cognitive and Learning Disabilities for detailed design patterns.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
About cognitive and learning disabilities, the tools and how they work.
Still have a question?
We read every message and reply as soon as we can.
support@example.comContact usWhat are cognitive and learning disabilities?
It's an umbrella term for differences in how people process information. The W3C includes ADHD, autism, dyslexia, dyscalculia, intellectual disabilities, memory impairments such as dementia, and conditions like brain injury.
How common are cognitive disabilities?
CDC data show that 13.9% of US adults have a disability that affects cognition. That makes it the most common type of disability among US adults.
Does WCAG cover cognitive accessibility?
Partly. WCAG includes rules that help, such as consistent navigation and help with errors, but the W3C says some cognitive accessibility needs are not addressed in its existing standards. It publishes extra guidance to fill the gap.
What does the Cognitive profile turn on?
It turns on Readable font, Highlight links, Stop animations and the Reading guide in one click. Visitors can adjust each tool, and their choices are saved in their own browser.
Other visitor needs
Give every visitor the tools they need
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