New take on cognitive accessibility research
The project called “Begripsam” can be loosely translated to “Understandable” is a collaboration between the user organisations of Dyslexia, Autism and Apsperger and the association of persons with intellectual disabilities in Sweden. Funka has been assigned by the project to develop tho methodology and provide support in the standardization work going on within ISO.
It is a fantastic resource with than 20 persons with various cognitive disabilities who work together to formulate requirements on cognitive accessibility, says Stefan Johansson, accessibility expert at Funka involved in the project. Therefore, it is particularly gratifying that the idea will keep livin on after the project period.
Participation is a key factor
One important part of the Begripsam work to facilitate for persons with cognitive disabilities to become involved in the work of standardization, design-, development- and innovation processes.
The project has been involved in the standardization work to produce a forthcoming ISO standard for cognitive accessibility within the framework of ISO / TC 173 / WG 10. The new standard will be known as the Basic Principles and General Guidelines on Cognitive Accessibility.
There is a great interest in cooperating on cognitive accessibility issues and on how society can be made easier to understand for everyone, says Kerstin Ivarson Ahlstrand, at the Association of Dyslexia, who is also project manager for Begripsam.
The participants has also worked with information about cognitive disabilities and on how to present the various barriers that may exist if you have a cognitive disability.
The three year project was funded by the Swedish Consumer Agency and the Swedish Inheritance Fund.