COMET Initiative | An ICF core set for designing cognitive web accessibility: a bridge between design and the implications of cognitive impairments

An ICF core set for designing cognitive web accessibility: a bridge between design and the implications of cognitive impairments

Accessible design enables participation in the digital society for everyone. However, cognitive accessibility is not well established within the field of web design. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) provides a descriptive framework that relates health conditions to functioning and participation. ICF Core Sets are purposefully tailored shortlists of ICF categories for describing functioning. The aim of this study was to develop an ICF core set for cognitive web accessibility to be used by web designers. ICF categories with relevance for cognitive accessibility were extracted and linked to the guidelines in the standard for cognitive accessibility: ISO 21801-1, followed by interpretation of the meaning of the ICF categories in relation to cognitive accessibility. The latter was outlined as practical advice for designers on design considerations for cognitive accessibility. The analysis was performed by an iterative back-and-forth process between the lived experiences of persons with cognitive impairments, the ISO-standard and the ICF. The ICF core set comprises 46 ICF categories with design considerations for cognitive accessibility. The ICF core set is suggested to facilitate understanding of the challenges in digital design that users experience and provide strategies to address cognitive accessibility, and thereby improve design outcomes.

Contributors

Stefan Johansson, Emily Steel, Catharina Gustavsson

Publication

Journal: Universal Access in the Information Society
Volume: 24
Issue:
Pages: 3599 - 3614
Year: 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10209-025-01262-y

Further Study Information

Current Stage: Completed
Date:
Funding source(s): Open access funding provided by Royal Institute of Technology.

Health Area

Disease Category:

Disease Name: Mild cognitive impairment

Target Population

Age Range: 0 - 100

Sex: Either

Nature of Intervention: Other

Stakeholders Involved

- Consumers (patients)
- Other
- Patient/ support group representatives

Study Type

- ICF core set

Method(s)

- Consensus conference
- Literature review

Development of an ICF core set for cognitive web accessibility to be used by web designers. The rationale is that such a core set can provide designers with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by internet users with cognitive impairments. This core set will offer web designers guidelines to facilitate the advancement of inclusive design.

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