Skip to main content

Web Accessibility for People with Cognitive Disabilities: A Systematic Literature Review from 2015 to 2021

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
  • 1151 Accesses

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNCS,volume 13521))

Abstract

Web accessibility refers to the extent to which websites can be consumed by people with disabilities, elderly people, as well as people living in rural areas and developing countries. To make sure that everyone is included and has an equal user experience, developers need to create highly accessible websites. Cognitive disability, which can take various forms, represents an umbrella term that is used when a person has certain limitations in mental functioning and skills such as communication, self-help, and social skills. To determine the degree to which web accessibility for people with cognitive disabilities has been examined in the period from 2015 to 2021, we have carried out a systematic literature review. Reported findings indicate that accessibility of the majority of current websites is very poor but can be improved with a simple design of user interface elements, by providing relevant information in various forms and on the top of the website, and by avoiding distractors of any kind. We also discovered that studies in which people with cognitive disabilities actively participate in the development and evaluation of software solutions meant for enhancing their web experience are rather rare. Drawing on reported findings, limitations of current studies and future work directions are presented and discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Adio, M.A., Adeyemo, O.: Development of a usable and accessible interface for the cognitively impaired aged. Int. Res. J. Advanced Eng. Sci. 3(2), 76–82 (2018)

    Google Scholar 

  2. Alzahrani, M., Uitdenbogerd, A.L., Spichkova, M.: Human-computer interaction: influences on autistic users. Procedia Comput. Sci. 192, 4691–4700 (2021)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. de Avelar, L.O., Rezende, G.C., Freire, A.P.: WebHelpDyslexia: a browser extension to adapt web content for people with dyslexia. Procedia Comput. Sci. 67, 150–159 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Bernard, R., Sabariego, C., Cieza, A.: Barriers and facilitation measures related to people with mental disorders when using the web: a systematic review. J. Med. Internet Res. 18(6), 157–175 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Bircanin, F., Sitbon, L., Favre, B., Brereton, M.: Designing an IIR research apparatus with users with severe intellectual disability. In: Proceedings of the 2020 Conference on Human Information Interaction and Retrieval, pp. 412–416. ACM, Vancouver (2020)

    Google Scholar 

  6. Blanck, P.: eQuality: web accessibility by people with cognitive disabilities. Inclusion 3(2), 75–91 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Blazheska-Tabakovska, N., Savoska, S., Ristevski, B., Jolevski, I., Gruevski, D.: Web content accessibility for people with cognitive disabilities. In: 9th International Conference on Applied Internet and Information Technologies, pp. 70–74. University of Novi Sad, Technical Faculty "Mihajlo Pupin", Zrenjanin (2019)

    Google Scholar 

  8. Braddock, D., Rizzolo, M.C., Thompson, M., Bell, R.: Emerging technologies and cognitive disability. J. Spec. Educ. Technol. 19(4), 49–56 (2004)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Brito, E., Dias, G.P.: LMS accessibility for students with disabilities: The experts’ opinions. In: 15th Iberian Conference on Information Systems and Technologies, pp.1–5. IEEE, Seville (2020)

    Google Scholar 

  10. Broccia, G., Manca, M., Paternò, F., Pulina, F.: Flexible automatic support for web accessibility validation. In: Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction 4 (EICS), pp. 1–24 (2020)

    Google Scholar 

  11. Buehler, E., Easley, W., Poole, A., Hurst, A.: Accessibility barriers to online education for young adults with intellectual disabilities. In: Proceedings of the 13th International Web for All Conference, pp. 1–10. ACM, Montreal (2016)

    Google Scholar 

  12. Cadzow, A.: Impact of cognitive learning disorders on accessing online resources. In: Antona, M., Stephanidis, C. (eds.) UAHCI 2017. LNCS, vol. 10279, pp. 363–381. Springer, Cham (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-58700-4_30

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  13. Calvo, R., Seyedarabi, F., Savva, A.: Beyond web content accessibility guidelines: Expert Accessibility Reviews. In: Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Software Development and Technologies for Enhancing Accessibility and Fighting Info-exclusion, pp. 77–84. ACM, Vila Real (2016)

    Google Scholar 

  14. Cao, S., Loiacono, E.: Perceptions of web accessibility guidelines by student website and app developers. In: 17th Annual Pre-ICIS Workshop on HCI Research in MIS Sponsored by AIS SIGHCI, AIS, San Francisco (2018)

    Google Scholar 

  15. Cinquin, P.-A., Guittonb, P., Sauzéon, H.: Online e-learning and cognitive disabilities: a systematic review. Comput. Educ. 130, 152–167 (2019)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Cognitive Disability: Information on Intellectual Disabilities. https://www.disabled-world.com/disability/types/cognitive/. Accessed 22 May 2022

  17. Cormier, M., Moffatt, K., Cohen, R., Mann, R.: Purely vision-based segmentation of web pages for assistive technology. Comput. Vis. Image Underst. 148, 46–66 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Dinc, E.: Web-based education and accessibility. Int. J. Technol. Educ. Sci. 1(1), 29–35 (2017)

    Google Scholar 

  19. Eraslan, S., Yaneva, V., Yesilada, Y., Harper, S.: Do web users with autism experience barriers when searching for information within web pages? In: Proceedings of the 14th International Web for All Conference, pp. 1–4. ACM, Perth (2017)

    Google Scholar 

  20. Eraslan, S., Yaneva, V., Yesilada, Y., Harper, S.: Web users with autism: eye tracking evidence for differences. Behav. Inf. Technol. 38(7), 678–700 (2019)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Eraslan, S., Yesilada, Y., Yaneva, V., Ha, L.A.: Keep it simple! an eye-tracking study for exploring complexity and distinguishability of web pages for people with autism. Univ. Access Inf. Soc. 20(1), 69–84 (2021)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Erazo, M., Zimmermann, G.: Design and evaluation of a simplified online banking interface for people with cognitive disabilities. In: Proceedings of the 17th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers & Accessibility, pp. 309–310. ACM, Lisbon (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  23. Galiev, R., Rupprecht, D., Bomsdorf, B.: Towards tangible and distributed UI for cognitively impaired people. In: Antona, M., Stephanidis, C. (eds) Universal Access in Human–Computer Interaction. Human and Technological Environments. Lecture Notes in Computer Science 10279, pp. 283–300. Springer, Vancouver (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-58703-5_21

  24. Haesner, M., Steinert, A., O’Sullivan, J.L., Steinhagen-Thiessen, E.: Evaluating an accessible web interface for older adults – the impact of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). J. Assist. Technol. 9(4), 219–232 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Hong, S.G., Trimi, S., Kim, D.W., Hyun, J.H.: A Delphi study of factors hindering web accessibility for persons with disabilities. J. Comput. Inf. Syst. 55(4), 28–34 (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  26. Hu, R., Feng, J.H.: Investigating information search by people with cognitive disabilities. ACM Trans. Accessible Computing 7(1), 1–30, 1 (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  27. James, A., Draffan, E.A., Wald, M.: Designing web-apps for all: how do we include those with cognitive disabilities? Studies in Health Technol. Informatics 242, 665–668 (2017)

    Google Scholar 

  28. Juvino De Araújo, E.C., Andrade, W.L.: A systematic literature review on teaching programming to people with cognitive disabilities. In: IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference, pp.1–8. IEEE, Lincoln (2021)

    Google Scholar 

  29. Kitchenham, B., Charters, S.: Guidelines for performing systematic literature reviews in software engineering, Version 2.3. Department of Computer Science, University of Durham, Durham. Tech. Rep. EBSE-2007–01 (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  30. de Lara, S.M.A., de Mattos Fortes, R.P., Russo, C.M., Freire, A.P.: A study on the acceptance of website interaction aids by older adults. Universal Access in the Information Society 15(3), 445–460 (2016)

    Google Scholar 

  31. Menger, F., Morris, J., Salis, C.: Aphasia in an Internet age: wider perspectives on digital inclusion. Aphasiology 30(2–3), 112–132 (2016)

    Google Scholar 

  32. Moreno, L., Martínez, P., Muguerza, J., Abascal, J.: Support resource based on standards for accessible e-Government transactional services. Computer Standards & Interfaces 58, 146–157 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Moreno, L., Martínez, P., Segura-Bedmar, I., Revert, R.: Exploring language technologies to provide support to WCAG 2.0 and E2R guidelines. In: Proceedings of the XVI International Conference on Human Computer Interaction (Interacción ‘15), pp. 1–8. ACM, Vilanova i la Geltru (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  34. Nour, R.: Web searching by individuals with cognitive disabilities. ACM SIGACCESS Accessibility and Computing 111, 19–25 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Orehovački, T., Babić, S.: Identifying the relevance of quality dimensions contributing to universal access of social Web applications for collaborative writing on mobile devices: an empirical study. Univ. Access Inf. Soc. 17(3), 453–473 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Pagani Britto, T.C., Brigante Pizzolato, E.: Towards web accessibility guidelines of interaction and interface design for people with autism spectrum disorder. In: 9th International Conference on Advances in Computer-Human Interactions, pp. 138–144. IARIA, Venice (2016)

    Google Scholar 

  37. Pagani Britto Pichiliani, T.C., Brigante Pizzolato, E.: A survey on the awareness of Brazilian web development community about cognitive accessibility. In: Proceedings of the 18th Brazilian Symposium on Human Factors in Computing Systems, pp. 1–11. ACM, Vitória Espírito Santo (2019)

    Google Scholar 

  38. Page, M.J., et al.: The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ, London. Tech. Rep. 372: n71 (2021)

    Google Scholar 

  39. Paiva, D.M.B., Freire, A.P., de Mattos Fortes, R.P.: Accessibility and software engineering processes: a systematic literature review. J. Systems Software 171, 110819 (2021)

    Google Scholar 

  40. Pascual, A., Ribera, M., Granollers, T.: Empathic communication of accessibility barriers in Web 2.0 editing. In: Proceedings of the 12th International Web for All Conference, pp. 1–8. ACM, Florence (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  41. Petrie, H., Savva, A., Power, C.: Towards a unified definition of web accessibility. In: Proceedings of the 12th International Web for All Conference, pp. 1–13. ACM, Florence (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  42. Reid, B.E.: Internet architecture and disability. Indiana Law J. 95(2), 591–648 (2020)

    Google Scholar 

  43. Rello, L.: Dyslexia and web accessibility: synergies and challenges. In: Proceedings of the 12th International Web for All Conference, pp. 1–4. ACM, Florence (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  44. Rello, L., Baeza-Yates, R.: The effect of font type on screen readability by people with dyslexia. ACM Trans. Accessible Computing 8(4), 1–33 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Rocha, T., Bessa, M., Magalhães, L., Cabral, L.: Performing universal tasks on the Web: interaction with digital content by people with intellectual disabilities. In: Proceedings of the XVI International Conference on Human Computer Interaction (Interacción ‘15), pp. 1–7. ACM, Vilanova i la Geltru (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  46. Rocheleau, J.N., Cobigo, V., Chalghoumi, H.: Recognizing everyday information technologies as assistive technologies for persons with cognitive disabilities. In: Miesenberger, K., Kouroupetroglou, G. (eds.) ICCHP 2018. LNCS, vol. 10896, pp. 504–508. Springer, Cham (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-94277-3_78

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  47. Rupprecht, D., Etzold, J., Bomsdorf, B.: Model-based development of accessible, personalized web forms for icf-based assessment. In: Proceedings of the 7th ACM SIGCHI Symposium on Engineering Interactive Computing Systems, pp. 120–125. ACM, Duisburg (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  48. Saggion, H., Ferrés, D., Sevens, L., Schuurman, I., Ripollés, M., Rodríguez, O.: Able to read my mail: an accessible e-mail client with assistive technology. In: Proceedings of the 14th International Web for All Conference, pp. 1–4. ACM, Perth (2017)

    Google Scholar 

  49. Schmutz, S., Sonderegger, A., Sauer, J.: Easy-to-read language in disability-friendly web sites: Effects on nondisabled users. Appl. Ergon. 74, 97–106 (2019)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. Stuss, D.T.: Cognitive impairment. In: Aminoff, M.J., Daroff, R.B. (eds.): Encyclopedia of the Neurological Sciences, pp. 737–740. Academic Press, Amsterdam (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  51. Vereenooghe, L.: Participation of people with disabilities in web-based research. Web-Based Research in Psychology 229(4), 257–259 (2021)

    Google Scholar 

  52. Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1. https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG21/. Accessed 22 May 2022

  53. World report on Disability, World Health Organization (WHO), Geneva, Switzerland. https://apps.who.int/iris/rest/bitstreams/53067/retrieve. Accessed 19 May 2022

  54. Yaneva, V.: Autism and the web: using web-searching tasks to detect autism and improve web accessibility. ACM SIGACCESS Accessibility and Computing 121, 1–8 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  55. Yusril, A.N.: E-Accessibility analysis in user experience for people with disabilities. Indonesian J. Disability Studies 7(1), 106–109 (2020)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Tihomir Orehovački .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2022 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this paper

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this paper

Borina, M., Kalister, E., Orehovački, T. (2022). Web Accessibility for People with Cognitive Disabilities: A Systematic Literature Review from 2015 to 2021. In: Duffy, V.G., Gao, Q., Zhou, J., Antona, M., Stephanidis, C. (eds) HCI International 2022 – Late Breaking Papers: HCI for Health, Well-being, Universal Access and Healthy Aging. HCII 2022. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 13521. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-17902-0_19

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-17902-0_19

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-17901-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-17902-0

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics