Cognitive impairment

Cognitive, neurological and psychological disabilities have to do with the brain, nervous system, information processing and mental health.

In short

Cognitive impairment literally means an intellectual disability. People with intellectual disabilities may have problems with memory, language and problem solving.

A cognitive, neurological or mental impairment can affect hearing, seeing, speaking, moving and understanding information. Thus, it overlaps with other types of disabilities. An important note: this need not affect a person's intelligence.

We're talking about:

Neurological disorders

These are disorders related to the brain or nervous system, for example, epilepsy.

Neurodiversity

This means that everyone has a different brain and processes information differently. For example, some people are more sensitive to stimuli.

Reading and learning problems

Such as dyslexia, for example.

Psychological complaints

Such as anxiety and depression.

“There are no right and wrong brains. All forms of neurological development are equally valid and equally valuable. And regardless of what type of brain you’ve got, all people are entitled to full and equal human rights and to be treated with dignity and respect.”

Jac den Houting (research psychologist)

How do you account for an intellectual disability on the internet?

Clear language

Use clear language, such as b1 language level.

Multiple ways

Make sure pages can be found in multiple ways, such as through a search engine or sitemap.

Repeating elements

Make sure repeating components (such as the menu) look the same on every page and are in the same place.

How do you account for epilepsy on the internet?

Avoid light flashes

People with photosensitive epilepsy are sensitive to light flashes and may experience an epileptic seizure as a result.

How do you account for reading and learning disabilities on the internet?

Adjusting texts

With dyslexia, it can be difficult to read texts on a Web site. Therefore, it should be possible to adjust texts. Like bigger and smaller.

Read aloud

It can also help if text can be read aloud. There are more reading and learning disabilities you can consider online, such as dyscalculia and dyspraxia.

How do you account for ADHD, ADD and ASD on the Internet?

No long texts

It can help for people with ADHD not to post texts that are too long.

Videos

For example, also post videos explaining a topic.

How do you account for ASD (autism spectrum disorder) on the Internet?

Moving images

For people with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder), it can be annoying when there are moving images on a Web page that cannot be turned off or hidden. It can then be difficult to read the text on the page. It should then be possible to stop moving images.

Sound off

Sound in the background can also be annoying and should be able to be turned off.

How do you deal with memory limitations on the Internet?

Forms

It can help to post clear instructions on forms, for example, and always provide an opportunity to check the form or go back a step.

Time Limit

If there is a time limit, it should be possible to get more time.

Help

It is good to clearly indicate how a person can get help on the website or app.

Make your online product accessible to cognitive disabilities

Want to learn more about how to accommodate people with cognitive disabilities? Take a look among our training courses.

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