First Public Working Draft: Cognitive Accessibility Research Modules - Technology Assisted Indoor Navigation / Wayfinding

Cognitive Accessibility Research Modules - Technology Assisted Indoor Navigation / Wayfinding

https://www.w3.org/TR/2026/DNOTE-coga-wayfinding-20260205/

Published by
 Accessible Platform Architectures Working Group

Abstract

Technology-assisted navigation through indoor spaces, also known as wayfinding, is often extremely helpful for people who require cognitive accessibility. However, it can create a number of cognitive accessibility issues for people with disabilities. 

This module explores: 
 
  * explores cognitive accessibility issues that may arise when using indoor navigation / wayfinding, 
  * key user needs and ways to address these barriers, and 
  * suggests solutions and areas for further research.  

Research modules are primarily intended for groups in The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). For example, they are used as source material for Making Content Usable for People with Cognitive and Learning Disabilities. 

They may also contain useful information for: 
 
  * researchers, 
  * inclusion and research-related policy makers, 
  * designers, content creators, and developers who wish to have a more in-depth understanding of inclusion issues.  

Note that these modules focus on explaining the issues that lead to diverse user needs impacting web accessibility. For this reason, they may sometimes address a broader scope than web accessibility alone. 

This document is part of a set of related informative publications from the Cognitive and Learning Disabilities Accessibility Task Force (COGA TF), a joint Task Force of the Accessible Platform Architectures Working Group (APA WG) and the Accessibility Guidelines Working Group (AG WG) of the Web Accessibility Initiative.

Status of the Document

This section describes the status of this document at the time of its publication. A list of current W3C publications and the latest revision of this technical report can be found in the W3C standards and drafts index. 

This is an early draft. The Task Force intends to add more research and improved discussion. 

Feedback on any aspect of the document is accepted. For this publication, the Working Groups particularly seek feedback on the following questions: 
 
  * Are issues for the included user groups well covered? 
  * Is there additional research we should look at? 
  * Does this research module effectively bridge between research and priorities for new work? 
  * Should additional user needs be addressed?  

To comment, file an issue in the W3C coga GitHub repository. If this is not feasible, send email to public-coga-comments@w3.org (comment archive). Comments are requested by 15th April 2026. In-progress updates to the document may be viewed in the publicly visible editors' draft. 

This document was published by the Accessible Platform Architectures Working Group as a Group Note Draft using the Note track. 

Group Note Drafts are not endorsed by W3C nor its Members. 

This is a draft document and may be updated, replaced, or obsoleted by other documents at any time. It is inappropriate to cite this document as other than a work in progress. 

The W3C Patent Policy does not carry any licensing requirements or commitments on this document.

This document is governed by the 18 August 2025 W3C Process Document.

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Received on Thursday, 5 February 2026 04:31:42 UTC