Study on cognitive accessibility in digital interfaces

As digitalization increases, there is also a growing demand for users to be able to manage various digital services independently. In many cases, it can be difficult to understand information on the web and to grasp how digital services work. Despite a growing focus on digital inclusion, there is a large knowledge gap in terms of how accessible digital interfaces are from a cognitive point of view.

In 2021, Funka and ICF conducted a comprehensive study on inclusive web accessibility for persons with cognitive disabilities, on an assignment for the European Commission. The assignment included a review of scientific literature in the field, as well as an extensive consultation with stakeholders across all sectors. The research team held two digital workshops with over 500 registered participants and conducted in-depth interviews with 40 representatives from the research community, the private sector and the disability movement.

A key insight from the study is that there are both technological and social barriers to accessibility. Increasing the inclusion of people with cognitive disabilities requires more than just making interfaces more accessible. Notably, more work is needed to counteract social stigma and improve the general awareness and understanding of cognitive disabilities.

Many of the stakeholders we spoke to highlighted that a key factor in developing inclusive solutions is to involve the target group in the development of digital interfaces from an early stage. This applies both to the development of technical solutions as well as the to the drafting of guidelines and requirements.

The study resulted in an overview of existing barriers and solutions, as well as a list of recommendations for further work on making digital interfaces more cognitively accessible. Some of the recommendations are:

• Explore how existing guidelines on cognitive accessibility can be further developed into mandatory requirements in standards
• Increase the involvement of users with cognitive impairments in the design and development of IT services and products
• Ensure that all web professionals are aware of the importance of cognitive accessibility
• Ensure that manuals and supporting guides for the use of apps and digital services are easy to understand
• Explore how personalised solutions for cognitive accessibility can be implemented as integrated solutions in services and apps

Final report on the website of the European Commission, opens in new window

New interesting investigation about cognitive accessibility in digital interfaces