In recent years, accessibility has come to the forefront in design, with a strong focus on accommodating visual, auditory, and motor impairments. While these efforts are commendable, there is another equally critical dimension of inclusivity: neurodiversity. Neurodiversity refers to natural variations in human cognition, encompassing conditions such as adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and dyslexia.
However, designers of digital user experiences often overlook the needs of neurodiverse users. As UX professionals, it’s our responsibility to address these gaps and craft product experiences that are not only accessible, but truly inclusive for everyone. In my new column, Inclusive User Experiences, I’ll explore the importance of designing for neurodiversity and provide actionable strategies for creating more inclusive experiences for neurodiverse users.
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In recent years, accessibility has come to the forefront in design, with a strong focus on accommodating visual, auditory, and motor impairments. While these efforts are commendable, there is another equally critical dimension of inclusivity: neurodiversity. Neurodiversity refers to natural variations in human cognition, encompassing conditions such as adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and dyslexia.
However, designers of digital user experiences often overlook the needs of neurodiverse users. As UX professionals, it’s our responsibility to address these gaps and craft product experiences that are not only accessible, but truly inclusive for everyone. In my new column, Inclusive User Experiences, I’ll explore the importance of designing for neurodiversity and provide actionable strategies for creating more inclusive experiences for neurodiverse users. READMORE
Understanding Neurodiversity: More Than Accessibility
Neurodiversity encompasses a wide range of cognitive differences. These differences are not deficits, but variations in human cognition that require unique consideration during design—for example:
ADHD users might face difficulties maintaining focus, especially in environments that are overly distracting or within complex contexts.
Autistic users often seek clarity and consistency in their interactions. They might experience sensory overload when they are confronted with too much information or unpredictable design elements.
Dyslexic users often struggle with reading comprehension, particularly when reading dense text or text in inaccessible fonts.
While traditional accessibility guidelines focus on physical impairments, designing for neurodiversity is about understanding how different brains process information differently when interacting with digital environments. The key to designing for neurodiversity is creating flexible user experiences, including personalized user experiences that adapt to specific user’s needs and customizable experiences that empower users to tailor user interfaces to their own needs.
Real-World Case Study: Mayo Clinic’s Project SEARCH
An excellent example of designing for neurodiversity comes from the Mayo Clinic’s Project SEARCH. This program connects young adults who have cognitive disabilities—including neurodiverse individuals—with meaningful job opportunities. By taking a supportive, hands-on approach, this initiative has helped countless neurodiverse individuals to enter the workforce, demonstrating how inclusive design practices can lead to real-world success.
One such success story involved a young adult with autism who found it difficult to navigate typical social interactions and environments. By tailoring guidance and tools to this person’s needs, this program showcased the immense potential of designing for cognitive diversity. This case highlights how inclusive design can bridge the accessibility gap for neurodiverse individuals when we approach it thoughtfully, allowing them to contribute fully in professional and other digital environments.
Key Challenges That Neurodiverse Users Face
To better understand how to design for neurodiverse users, it’s important to recognize the common challenges that they face, as follows:
information overload—Complex, cluttered user interfaces can overwhelm users with ADHD or autism, making it difficult for them to focus on or complete their tasks.
sensitivity to sensory stimuli—Many neurodiverse users are sensitive to sensory stimuli such as bright colors, rapid animations, or sudden sounds. These can cause discomfort and even lead to users’ abandoning a platform.
non-linear workflows—Traditional, rigid workflows might not align with the way neurodiverse individuals process information. Flexible, non-linear pathways can be far more effective.
reading and comprehension difficulties—Dense text, jargon, and inaccessible fonts can hinder dyslexic users, as well as those with other cognitive conditions.
Designing for Neurodiversity: Actionable Strategies
So how can we design more inclusively for neurodiverse users? Let’s consider some practical strategies that we can implement across platforms
Simplify and Clarify
To simplify and clarify user interfaces for neurodiverse individuals, do the following:
Use minimalistic layouts that focus on essential information. Chunk content into smaller, digestible elements to reduce cognitive load.
Offer linear, step-by-step workflows that guide users through complex tasks without overwhelming them.
Offer Customization Options
By providing customization features, you can enable users to configure their tools’ user interfaces to meet their needs—for example, you could do the following:
Allow users to control sensory elements that might overload their brain—for example, by turning off animations, adjusting their screen’s brightness, or muting sound effects.
Provide text customization options such as adjustable font sizes and dyslexia-friendly fonts that make reading more accessible.
Maintain Consistency and Predictability
By creating user interfaces that are consistent and predictable, you can provide a better work environment for neurodiverse users—for example, do the following:
Ensure that design patterns are consistent across a platform to avoid confusing users through the introduction of unnecessary changes in page layouts or navigation systems.
Avoid unnecessary surprises such as pop-up alerts or unexpected transitions, which can cause discomfort for autistic users.
Create Inclusive Visual Designs
Make sure that your visual-design solutions serve an inclusive audience, including neurodiverse individuals, as follows:
Use color combinations with high background-foreground value contrast to ensure legibility for all users, including those with cognitive conditions.
Support text with icons, illustrations, or videos to convey information and foster engagement in multiple ways, catering to people’s different learning styles.
Empower Users Through Usability Testing
Conduct usability testing specifically with neurodiverse participants to gather valuable feedback and identify painpoints that might not be apparent within traditional testing environments.
The Future of Inclusive Design: More Than Compliance
While many organizations view accessibility through the lens of compliance, designing for neurodiversity goes way beyond that. It is about creating user experiences that are truly inclusive. The benefits of neurodiverse design are far reaching, enhancing the experience not just for neurodiverse individuals, but for all users.
For example, by reducing clutter, offering customization, and providing flexible workflows, you can make user interfaces easier to understand, learn, and use for everyone. When we design with the most vulnerable users in mind, we ultimately improve our products for everyone.
Conclusion: A New Standard for Inclusivity
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, it is essential that UX designers embrace neurodiversity as a key component of inclusive design. By serving the needs of neurodiverse users, we can create products that empower individuals, break down barriers, and set a new standard for inclusive user experiences.
The case study from the Mayo Clinic’s Project SEARCH shows the profound impact that inclusive design can have—in both the digital and physical worlds. As UX designers, we have the opportunity—and responsibility—to shape user experiences that serve the diverse cognitive needs of all users, ensuring that we leave no one behind.
Yuri is an experienced design leader with expertise in the design and development of engaging user experiences. He has more than 20 years of experience, working within fast-paced, innovative development environments, including in the highly regulated healthcare industry. Yuri has a deep understanding of contemporary user-centered design methods, as well as a working knowledge of regulations and best practices for medical devices and human factors. He has a proven ability to oversee the entire design process, from concept to implementation, ensuring that he maintains the design intent at launch. Yuri holds a Master of Science from Donetsk National Technical University and a Master of Arts from Donetsk National University, in Ukraine. Read More
