Cognitive and Learning Disability Matrix

WCAG 2.0, 27 April 2006 Draft

This table lists cognitive and learning disabilities and suggests the success criteria from WCAG 2 that improve the accessibility of content for users with each disability. In many cases, the success criterion does not assist the user directly, but enables assistive technology that can assist the user. The Notes column gives some indication of why the success criterion is applicable. Items in blue and also marked with a "Y" in the AT column are provisions that provide benefit through the use of Assistive Technologies.

Cognitive, language or learning disability	Success criteria	AT	Notes
Reading decoding, and spelling limitations (Dyslexia; Perceptual problems where letters do not appear in the same order and orientation and it is therefore difficult to read)	1.1.1 All (Everything available in machine readable text)	Y	Ability to have text (even in graphics) read aloud.
	1.1.1 (Non-text Content) � Turing Exception		Provide non-text-based CAPTCHAs (audio CAPTCHAs instead of distorted text)
	1.3.1 Info & Relationships	Y	Enable alternate presentations
	1.3.3 Meaningful Sequence	Y	Enable reading aloud, word highlighting
	1.3.4 Text Variations	Y	Enable alternate presentation or visual emphasis of text variation
	1.4.1 & 1.4.3 Contrast		Facilitate reading by making text clear
	2.2.1 Timing		Allow more time to read
	2.2.3 Pausing		Allow more time to read
	2.2.4 No Timing		Allow more time to read
	2.2.5 Interruptions		Undisturbed reading. More time.
	2.2.6 Re-authenticating		Allow more time to read
	2.4.1 Bypass Blocks		Minimize unnecessary reading (visually or if using Read aloud/Highlighter
	2.4.2 Multiple Ways		Provide mechanisms that require less reading
	2.5.1 Error Identification		Errors more likely to be noticed.
	2.5.2 Error Suggestion		Solution more likely to be discovered.
	3.1.1 Lang. of Page	Y	Support Read Aloud so that it is more understandable. Facilitate auto lookup.
	3.1.2 Lang. of Parts	Y	Support Read Aloud so that it is more understandable. Facilitate auto lookup.
	3.1.3 Unusual Words	Y	Facilitate proper Read Aloud of unusual words or words used unusually.
	3.1.4 Abbreviations	Y	Facilitate proper Read Aloud of Abbreviations
	3.1.6 Pronunciation	Y	More accurate Text to speech
	3.2.3 Consistent Navigation		Minimize unnecessary reading
Reading comprehension limitations (processing language)	1.1.1 All (Everything available in machine readable text)	Y	Ability to have text (even in graphics) read aloud. � (in future, translated into different reading levels or even symbols familiar to user)
	1.3.1 Info & Relationships	Y	Structure assists comprehension. Scaffolding in AT presentation of info.
	1.3.3 Meaningful Sequence	Y	Enable alternate presentation(s)
	1.3.4 Text Variations	Y	Enable alternate presentation or visual emphasis of text variation
	2.2.1 Timing		Allow more time to read
	2.2.3 Pausing		Allow more time to read
	2.2.4 No Timing		Allow more time to read
	2.2.6 Re-authenticating		Allow more time to read
	2.4.1 Bypass Blocks		Minimize unnecessary reading
	2.4.2 Multiple Ways		Provide mechanisms that require less reading
	2.4.3 Page Titled		Provides orientation
	2.4.4 Link Purpose L2		Easier to understand whether to follow link
	2.4.5 Labels Descriptive		Provide orientation
	2.4.7 Location		Provide orientation
	2.5.1 Error Identification		Errors more likely to be noticed.
	2.5.2 Error Suggestion		Solution more likely to be discovered.
	2.5.3 Error Prevention		Errors more likely to be avoided.
	2.5.4 Help		Explanation easily available. More likely to understand what is expected or required of user.
	3.1.1 Lang. of Page	Y	Support Read Aloud so that it is more understandable. Facilitate auto lookup.
	3.1.2 Lang. of Parts	Y	Support Read Aloud so that it is more understandable. Facilitate auto lookup.
	3.1.3 Unusual Words	Y	Facilitate proper Read Aloud of unusual words or words used unusually.
	3.1.4 Abbreviations	Y	Facilitate proper Read Aloud of Abbreviations
	3.1.6 Pronunciation	Y	More accurate Text to speech
	3.1.1 Lang. of Page	Y	Support Read Aloud so that it is more understandable. Facilitate auto lookup.
	3.2.3 Consistent Navigation		Minimize unnecessary reading
	3.2.4 Consistent ID on components		Easier to understand names when same components have same names when found in different places.
	4.1.2 Name-Role-Value	Y	Enable read aloud of programmatic controls in content (flash etc.).
Limitations processing non-verbal information (graphical information, auditory non-verbal information)	1.1.1 Non-text Content	Y	Textual representation of non-verbal info. Text descriptions allow graphics to be described to user by voice.
	1.3.1 Info & Relationships	Y	Enable alternate presentation(s)
	1.2.3 Audio Desc		Verbal description of what is happening visually and behaviorally on screen.
	1.2.6 Extended Audio Desc		Extended verbal description of what is happening visually and behaviorally on screen.
	1.3.5 Size-Shape-Location		Additional information/cues provided that are not visually based.
	2.2.1 Timing		Allow more time to process information
	2.2.3 Pausing		Allow more time to process information
	2.2.4 No Timing		Allow more time to process information
	2.2.6 Re-authenticating		Allow more time to process information
	3.2.4 Consistent ID of components		Reduces introduction of new symbols to represent known concepts/controls.
Limitations in auditory discrimination	1.2.1 Captions		Visual (textual) representation of auditory info
	1.2.4 Live Captions		Textual representation of auditory info
	1.2.7 Full Text Alternative		Textual representation of auditory info
	1.4.2 Background Audio Turnoff		Disable audio interference
	1.4.4 Low/No Background Audio		Reduce audio interference but allow option for presence of audio info.
	2.2.1 Timing		Allow more time to replay audio and process information
	2.2.3 Pausing		Allow more time to process information
	2.2.4 No Timing		Allow more time to replay audio and process information
Attention limitations	1.4.2 Background Audio Turnoff		Turn off audio distraction
	1.4.4 Low/No Background Audio		Reduce audio distraction but allow option for presence of audio info.
	2.2.1 Timing		Allow more time to process information and get past or deal with distractions
	2.2.2 Blinking		Turn off (or outwait) distracting blinking
	2.2.3 Pausing		Allow more time to process information and get past or deal with distractions
	2.2.4 No Timing		Allow more time to process information and get past or deal with distractions
	2.2.6 Re-authenticating		Allow more time to process information and get past or deal with distractions
	2.4.1 Bypass Blocks		Minimize unnecessary reading, focus on main content
	2.4.3 Page Titled		Help get refocused if distracted
	2.4.5 Labels Descriptive		Provide context, Help get refocused if distracted.
	2.4.8 Link Purpose L3		Don't follow links unnecessarily
	2.5.1 Error Identification		Errors more likely to be noticed.
	2.5.2 Error Suggestion		Solution more likely to be discovered.
	2.5.3 Error Prevention		Errors more likely avoided.
	2.5.4 Help		Explanation easily available
	3.2.1 On Focus		Reduce distraction and confusion
	3.2.2 On Input		Reduce distraction and confusion
	3.2.4 Consistent ID of components		Not distracted by new labels/icons for know/familiar functions.
	3.2.5 Change on Request		Avoid distraction and confusion
Limitations in short-term memory	1.1.1 Non-text Content	Y	User agent provides verbal reminder of meaning of icons etc.
	1.3.1 Info & Relationships	Y	Structure into manageable chunks
	1.4.2 Background Audio Turnoff		Remove distractions
	2.2.1 Timing		Allow more time to process information
	2.2.3 Pausing		Allow more time to process information
	2.2.4 No Timing		Allow more time to process information
	2.2.6 Re-authenticating		Allow more time to process information
	2.4.2 Multiple Ways		Use mechanism that works best, are most familiar, most obvious or easy to remember.
	2.4.3 Page Titled		Provide orientation
	2.4.5 Labels Descriptive		Provide orientation
	2.4.8 Link Purpose L3		Don't follow links unnecessarily or have to remember what they are for.
	2.5.1 Error Identification		Locate error easily
	2.5.2 Error Suggestion		Prompt for possible answers
	2.5.3 Error Prevention		Avoid confusion from errors or need to remember how to recover.
	2.5.4 Help		Reduce need to remember how to do things.
	3.1.3 Unusual Words		Reduce need to remember jargon or new (unusual) words
	3.1.4 Abbreviations		Remembering abbreviations
	3.2.1 On Focus		Don't lose place
	3.2.2 On Input		Don't lose place
	3.2.5 Change on Request		Don't lose place
Limitations in long-term memory	(see above)
	2.2.1 Timing		Allow more time to process information
	2.2.3 Pausing		Allow more time to process information
	2.2.4 No Timing		Allow more time to process information
	2.2.6 Re-authenticating		Allow more time to process information
	2.4.2 Multiple Ways		Use mechanism that works best, are most familiar, most obvious or easy to remember.
	2.5.1 Error Identification		Locate error easily
	2.5.2 Error Suggestion		Prompt for possible answers
	2.5.3 Error Prevention		Avoid confusion from errors or need to remember how to recover.
	2.5.4 Help		No need to remember instructions
	3.1.3 Unusual Words		Hard to learn/remember new words
	3.1.4 Abbreviations		Hard to learn/remember meaning of new abbreviations
Limitations in written expression	2.1.1 Keyboard	Y	Enable use of speech to text
	2.1.2 Keyboard, no exception	Y	Enable use of speech to text
	2.2.1 Timing		Allow more time to write
	2.2.4 No Timing		Allow more time to write
	2.2.6 Re-authenticating		Allow more time to write
	2.5.1 Error Identification		Errors in writing more likely
Limitations in executive processes including organization	1.3.1 Info & Relationships	Y	Structural organization maintained in other visually simpler presentation(s)
	1.3.3 Meaningful Sequence	Y	Enable other presentation(s) without changing meaning
	1.3.4 Text Variations	Y	Enable alternate presentation or visual emphasis of text variation
	2.2.1 Timing		Allow more time to process information
	2.2.3 Pausing		Allow more time to process information
	2.2.4 No Timing		Allow more time to process information
	2.2.6 Re-authenticating		Allow more time to process information
	2.4.1 Bypass Blocks		Don't need to analyze content of repeated block
	2.4.2 Multiple Ways		Pick most effective way
	2.4.3 Page Titled		Provides orientation
	2.4.5 Labels Descriptive		Provides orientation
	2.4.7 Location		Provides orientation
	2.4.8 Link Purpose L3		Avoid going to unwanted link destinations
	2.5.1 Error Identification		Errors more likely to be noticed.
	2.5.2 Error Suggestion		Solution more likely to be discovered.
	2.5.3 Error Prevention		Errors more likely avoided.
	2.5.4 Help		Assist in figure out steps to complete. Cuing on the way
	3.1.5 Reading Level		Easier to process text.
	3.2.1 On Focus		Avoid confusion from inadvertant or unexpected context change
	3.2.2 On Input		Avoid confusion from inadvertant or unexpected context change
	3.2.3 Consistent Navigation		Avoid confusion from introduction of new methods for navigation.
	3.2.4 Consistent ID		Reduces introduction of new symbols or words to represent known concepts/controls.
	3.2.5 Change on Request		Avoid confusion from inadvertant or unexpected context change
	4.1.2 Name-Role-Value	Y	Enable alternate presentation(s)
Limitations in math reasoning	2.2.1 Timing		Allow more time to process information
	2.2.4 No Timing		Allow more time to process information
	2.2.6 Re-authenticating		Allow more time to process information
	2.5.1 Error Identification		Of Math-related errors
	2.5.2 Error Suggestion		Increases probability of correct recovery from error.
Limitations in social perception	1.1.1 Non-text Content		Text descriptions of pictures and what information they are meant to convey.
	1.1.1 Non-text Content	Y	Allow pictures to be described to user by voice (Using AT).
	1.2.3 Audio Desc		Verbal description of what is happening visually and behaviorally on screen.
	1.2.6 Extended Audio Desc		Extended verbal description of what is happening visually and behaviorally on screen.