@cahdeemer @alleyco #WCUS Explore ways to gain buy-in for accessibility work Objectives Identify digital access barriers that people with cognitive disabilities experience online Recognize 12 practical solutions for making content usable by people with cognitive disabilities 4
@cahdeemer @alleyco #WCUS Definition of Cognitive Disabilities “neurodiversity as well as neurological disorders and mental and behavioral disorders that may or may not be neurological.” -W3C https://www.w3.org/WAI 9
@cahdeemer @alleyco #WCUS Functional vs. Diagnostic Labels We use functional terms over clinical terms because: ● Not everyone with a cognitive disability has a clinical diagnosis. 12
@cahdeemer @alleyco #WCUS Functional vs. Diagnostic Labels We use functional terms over clinical terms because: ● Not everyone with a cognitive disability has a clinical diagnosis. ● Not everyone with a cognitive disability has only one diagnosis. 13
@cahdeemer @alleyco #WCUS Functional vs. Diagnostic Labels We use functional terms over clinical terms because: ● Not everyone with a cognitive disability has a clinical diagnosis. ● Not everyone with a cognitive disability has only one diagnosis. ● Not everyone with the same disability experiences it the same way. 14
@cahdeemer @alleyco #WCUS Executive function “mental processes that enable us to plan, focus attention, remember instructions, and juggle multiple tasks successfully.” Center on the Developing Child, Harvard University https://developingchild.harvard.edu/ 16
@cahdeemer @alleyco #WCUS Digital barriers ● Sites with complex or overwhelming interfaces ● Sites with complex or unusual words ● Long passages of text or visual walls of text ● Animations or media that autoplay ● Blinking, flashing, flickering, or moving content ● Lack of help 18
@cahdeemer @alleyco #WCUS Spoon Theory 🥄 Developed by Christine Miserandino to explain what it’s like to live with a chronic illness or disability 🥄 Every task in a day takes energy; every task in a day takes spoons 🥄 When spoons run out, there is no energy left for tasks 27
@cahdeemer @alleyco #WCUS About the 12 Solutions ● Based on the W3C’s April 2021 Working Group Note ● There are many more solutions in the Working Group Note ● Cannot be identified or remediated with automated tools 29
@cahdeemer @alleyco #WCUS Why does this matter? Users with impaired executive function and memory may have difficulty determining what they can do on a site with a lot of noise and distractions 31
@cahdeemer @alleyco #WCUS Identifying the most important tasks Identifying your product’s most important tasks can be tricky and may involve user testing, focus groups, or usage data 32
@cahdeemer @alleyco #WCUS Why does this matter? Users with short-term memory impairments, who get distracted easily, or struggle with executive function may rely on search more than menus, categories, or browsing 34
@cahdeemer @alleyco #WCUS Search Tip #1 Search is most useful when it corrects spelling errors and suggests auto-corrected versions of search terms acessibil accessibility definition accessibility synonym accessibility meaning accessibility checker 35
@cahdeemer @alleyco #WCUS Search Tip #2 Prioritize search accessibility on large and complex sites, where search is a more important navigation tool 36
@cahdeemer @alleyco #WCUS Help users understand your content by using ● easy to understand words ● short sentences ● simple tense ● short blocks of text ● concrete content & examples ● generous white space 42
@cahdeemer @alleyco #WCUS Why does this matter? Users with communication difficulties may use screen readers to understand content. When content is formatted incorrectly, the user may not able to understand it. 44
@cahdeemer @alleyco #WCUS Punctuation and Formatting Tips ● Write out the month in dates ● Avoid using Roman numerals ● Use language-appropriate separators for long numbers 👍 Do this 👎 Avoid Nov. 8, 2019 11/08/2019 Chapter 4 Chapter IV 1,234 visitors 1234 visitors 45
@cahdeemer @alleyco #WCUS Why does this matter? Clear and easy-to-understand instructions help a variety of disabled folks. Without instructions, users may make multiple mistakes, use their spoons , and abandon their task. 47
@cahdeemer @alleyco #WCUS Where to position instructions ● Provide clear instructions at the start of a process, not just when there are errors. ● Place instructions before, or next to, the field or activity ● Instructions can be hidden behind a familiar icon Member ID Your Member ID is a 9-digit number found in your welcome email 48
@cahdeemer @alleyco #WCUS Why does this matter? Streamlining processes reduces fatigue, distractions, and mistakes and increases the chances that users with cognitive disabilities will successfully complete a task. 50
@cahdeemer @alleyco #WCUS Solutions 1 - 6 Recap 1. Make it easy to find the most important tasks 2. Provide a friendly search 3. Use clear and understandable content 4. Use clear formatting and punctuation 5. Use clear step-by-step instructions 6. Make short critical paths 52
@cahdeemer @alleyco #WCUS Why does this matter? People with any impairment that affects memory or language can find it difficult or impossible to overcome memory barriers when logging in. 54
@cahdeemer @alleyco #WCUS Why does this matter? Users with impaired working memory can’t remember a lot of details at the same time. Users with impaired executive function may struggle to remember instructions. 57
@cahdeemer @alleyco #WCUS Building processes that don’t rely on memory Each step in a process should contain the information necessary to allow a user to proceed. Provide a summary of information from previous steps Current Plan New Plan Plus New Plan Pro 58
@cahdeemer @alleyco #WCUS Why does this matter? People with cognitive disabilities may struggle to make sense of complex information and data formats, but may understand when supplementary content is included. 60
@cahdeemer @alleyco #WCUS Alternative Content Tips ● Use charts and graphs to support text ● Add video clips to support instructions ● Include a flow chart to visualize a process ● Link keywords to a glossary 61
@cahdeemer @alleyco #WCUS Why does this matter? When a user gets stuck or confused for any reason, getting help from a real person is usually the most effective solution. 63
@cahdeemer @alleyco #WCUS Why does this matter? Unexpected changes in content can result in loss of focus, anxiety, or confusion for a variety of disabled users 66
@cahdeemer @alleyco #WCUS Let Users Control When the Content Changes Changes include ● Launching pop-ups automatically ● Submitting forms through a mechanism other than a submit button ● Opening of new content Autoplay toggle 67
@cahdeemer @alleyco #WCUS Overlays & Widgets ● Do not provide legal coverage ● Do not make your site WCAG compliant ● Do not help disabled people 69 Overlays
@cahdeemer @alleyco #WCUS Why does this matter? When add-ons and extensions are blocked or not supported, disabled users with may not be able to use a site at all. 71
@cahdeemer @alleyco #WCUS APIs and Extension Tips Avoid code and designs that stop browser extensions and other personalization tools from working Logo 72
@cahdeemer @alleyco #WCUS Solutions 7 - 12 Recap 7. Provide a login that doesn’t rely on memory 8. Don’t ask users to memorize or calculate data 9. Provide alternative content for complex tasks and information 10. Provide human help 11. Let users control when content changes 12. Enable APIs and extensions 73
@cahdeemer @alleyco #WCUS Balancing Accessibility Needs with Business Goals Test Conduct A/B testing or get feedback from users Prioritize Identify high-impact changes and do those first Research Collect data to understand long-term impact of decisions 75
@cahdeemer @alleyco #WCUS Terminology & Language National Center on Disability and Journalism’s Language Guide https://ncdj.org/style-guide/ “Special needs” is an ineffective euphemism https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PM C5256467/ W3C’s definition of cognitive disabilities https://www.w3.org/WAI/people-use-web/abili ties-barriers/#cognitive Penn State Social Science Institute: Privilege plays a huge role in getting an ADHD diagnosis https://ssri.psu.edu/news/privilege-plays-huge -role-getting-adhd-diagnosis Resources Guide 78
@cahdeemer @alleyco #WCUS Terminology & Language Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry: Race Differences in the Age at Diagnosis Among Medicaid-Eligible Children With Autism https://www.jaacap.org/article/S0890-8567(09) 60739-5/fulltext Executive Function and Self-Regulation https://developingchild.harvard.edu/science/k ey-concepts/executive-function/ Resources Guide 79
@cahdeemer @alleyco #WCUS Barriers Flesch Reading Ease Score https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flesch%E2%80% 93Kincaid_readability_tests Readability of Wikipedia Pages https://www.readabilityofwikipedia.com/ Spoon Theory by Christine Miserandino https://butyoudontlooksick.com/articles/writte n-by-christine/the-spoon-theory/ Spoon Theory - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spoon_theory Resources Guide 80
@cahdeemer @alleyco #WCUS Solutions Screenshot 1: Philadelphia Museum of Art’s Search Page https://philamuseum.org/search Screenshot 2: New York TImes Newsletters https://www.nytimes.com/newsletters Screenshot 3: AirBnb Login https://www.airbnb.com/login Screenshot 4: MeUndies Contact Us https://help.meundies.com/hc/en-us Resources Guide 81
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