The European Accessibility Act (EAA) represents a turning point for digital inclusivity across the EU. It requires businesses to meet strict UX accessibility requirements to ensure that products and services are usable by people with disabilities.
However, this article aims to demonstrate that compliance alone is not the end goal you should go for.
True accessibility means designing for the full spectrum of human cognition, an approach known as UX design cognitive diversity. This includes addressing the needs of neurodiverse individuals, such as those with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, or memory-related conditions, alongside users who simply prefer clearer and less cognitively demanding digital experiences.
By embracing accessibility strategies that go beyond legal mandates, your business can foster more inclusive, adaptable, and user-friendly products AND gain a competitive edge.
What is UX design cognitive diversity?
UX design cognitive diversity is about acknowledging and designing for the different ways people perceive, process, and interact with information. While traditional accessibility efforts focus heavily on visual, auditory, or motor impairments, cognitive accessibility looks at mental processes such as attention, comprehension, memory, and decision-making.
For example:
- A neurotypical user may quickly skim and understand a dense webpage, while someone with dyslexia may need clearer typography and simpler sentence structures.
- A user with ADHD may benefit from fewer distractions and a more focused layout.
- A user experiencing brain fog may require step-by-step guidance and visible progress indicators.
Designing for these differences means creating UX strategies that prioritize clarity, predictability, and control, ensuring that every user (regardless of cognitive ability) can complete tasks without frustration.
UX accessibility standards vs. UX accessibility requirements: is there a difference?
It’s important to differentiate between UX accessibility standards and UX accessibility requirements.
- Standards are documented best practices, such as WCAG 2.2 AA guidelines, which describe what accessible content looks like.
- Requirements are legally enforced rules, such as those outlined in the EAA, which mandate compliance.
While the EAA aligns with WCAG, it doesn’t yet fully address all aspects of cognitive diversity. Many UX design cognitive diversity principles (like reducing cognitive overload or providing alternative content presentation) are not explicitly mandated but are critical for genuinely inclusive experiences.
This is where forward-thinking businesses can set themselves apart: by not only meeting the UX accessibility requirements but also going beyond them to design for real-world diversity.
UX accessibility strategies beyond the EAA 2025 requirements
1. Customizable comfort modes (Adaptive UI)
A key accessibility strategy is offering users control over how they experience an interface. Comfort modes could allow adjustments to font size, spacing, contrast, animation levels, and even layout complexity.
For example, a simplified mode could hide non-essential elements to reduce distractions, helping users with ADHD, cognitive fatigue, or sensory sensitivity.
2. Clear and consistent content architecture
Cognitive accessibility thrives on predictability. Pages should follow a clear hierarchy, with logical sectioning, meaningful headings, and consistent navigation patterns.
Bullet points, short paragraphs, and plain language make content easier to scan and process, supporting users with reading or memory challenges.
3. Low cognitive load interactions
Forms, payment checkouts, or onboarding flows should be broken into small, manageable steps. Each step should include clear instructions, visual cues, and feedback to confirm progress.
Providing the option to save and resume later can be invaluable for users with attention or memory differences.
4. Inclusive user testing with neurodiverse participants
Testing with a wide range of users is a hallmark of strong UX strategies. Including neurodivergent individuals in research ensures that your designs meet real-world needs and avoid unintentional bias.
Their feedback can reveal subtle issues (such as overwhelming color schemes, inconsistent button labels, or time-limited tasks) that could otherwise go unnoticed.
5. Continuous, incremental improvements
Meeting the UX accessibility requirements should be seen as the starting point, not the finish line. Regular UX audits, user feedback loops, and data-driven refinements will help your product evolve alongside user needs.
Tip: You should also check out this article written by Ergomania on the subject of the Accessibility Act 2025.
Strategy vs. compliance with UX accessibility standards summarized
| Focus area | Compliance-driven approach | Beyond compliance (cognitive diversity focus) |
| Text and content | Meets WCAG readability rules | Uses plain language, flexible content formats |
| Navigation | Logical structure per guidelines | User-tested with neurodiverse participants |
| Interactivity | Accessible forms/buttons | Reduced cognitive load, step-by-step flows |
| Visual design | Contrast meets WCAG levels | Adjustable contrast, motion control, spacing |
| Ongoing updates | Periodic compliance checks | Continuous improvement based on user feedback |
The business value of UX design for cognitive diversity
Designing with cognitive diversity in mind is not just a moral or legal responsibility: it’s a business opportunity your business SHOULD take advantage of.
- Wider market reach: Inclusive UX design opens your product to millions of potential users who might otherwise struggle to engage.
- Customer loyalty: Users who feel understood and supported are more likely to remain loyal and recommend your brand.
- Innovation boost: Many accessibility-driven features (like voice commands, dark mode, or adjustable layouts) have become mainstream because they improve usability for everyone.
- Future-proofing: By embedding inclusive UX strategies now, you future-proof your product against evolving regulations and market expectations.
