Re: Final call for concensenses - replacing the phrases " cognitive and learning disabilities and mental health impairments"

+1
*Jan McSorley*
*Accessibility Consultant*
*512-731-7957 (mobile)*
linkedin.com/in/janmcsorley <https://www.linkedin.com/in/janmcsorley>
@jmcsorle.bsky.social

*We put a man on the moon in the 1960's. Surely we can make information
technology fully accessible to people with disabilities. It can be done. It
must be done. It will be done!*


On Tue, Apr 8, 2025 at 6:53 AM Lisa Seeman <lisa1seeman@gmail.com> wrote:

> Hi Folks
>
> On yesterday's call we agreed on replacing the long phrases "cognitive and
> learning disabilities and mental health impairments"   to refer to our
> users in making content useable.
> You can object to the wording before the 12 April 2025 at 6pm Boston time.
> If we do not hear objections by then we will assume everyone is OK with
> this.
>
> The  consensus is:
> 1: The new title is cognitive accessibility guidance
>
> 2: We have a sub title along the lines of :
>
> Making content usable for people with  cognitive,  intellectual,
> developmental, learning and specific learning disabilities,
>  neurodivergence, mental health impairments and temporary impairments that
> affect cognitive function.
>
>  (We can agree on the exact wording of the  subtitle later - but we agree
> on the direction )
>
> 3. We explain who is included in both the abstract and the introduction.
>
> 4. We replace the phrase "people with learning and cognitive disabilities"
> in the document so that the intent is not changed, but it is easier to read
> and follow.
>
> This would involve  using different phrases depending on what fits.  (We
> leave it to the editors' discretion to draft it). Included phrases are:
>
>
>    - The phrase "cognitive accessibility guidance" where it fits. It
>    would have a pop up glossary item with what the phrase means and  a full
>    list of who is included
>    - The phrase " Our user groups" - also with a pop up explaining who is
>    included.
>    - Sometimes an extra sentence may be added such as: "users with
>    disabilities that impact cognitive accessibility".   We may sometimes use
>    that sentence where it is helpful and easier to understand
>
>
> Caveats
> Caveat 1. a certain amount of feedback could be gathered from the first
> working draft to see if people feel included and find these phrases easy to
> understand so that it is clear who is included
>
> Cavert 2. We ask Shawn and W3C staff about  using metadata to support SEO
> and how to make sure we are found by the user groups who need us.
>
> --
> All the best
>
> Lisa Seeman-Horwitz
>
> LinkedIn <http://il.linkedin.com/in/lisaseeman/>, Twitter
> <https://twitter.com/SeemanLisa>
>