Designing Cognitive Engagement For Everyone

User experience design has a great body of work on how to create simple designs, remove abstraction, develop patterns that users are familiar with, and generate flows that make sense. All of these great steps toward better usability and experiences that fit the expectations of the user, however, are geared toward users who are able to comprehend these UX elements, but what if the user’s cognition differs from the norm? How do user experience designers begin to design for users with medical conditions affecting cognitive ability?

This presentation will discuss universal design, accessibility, and why it is important to consider cognitive ability in designing digital products. The presentation will center on the importance of universal design, and it will explain how UX designers can focus on the peripheral user in order to create a better experience for everyone.