How do you design for Neurodiversity?

Creating a neuro-inclusive digital environment requires intentional design choices that prioritize clarity and user control.

These 6 pillars turn inclusion into actionable design:

• Plain Language
  • Keep content simple and avoid technical jargon.
  • Applicable success criteria: 3.1.1 Language of Page, 3.1.5 Reading Level
• Time Extension
  • Allow users to pause or extend time limits if they're unavoidable.
  • Applicable success criterion: 2.2.1 Timing Adjustable
• Alternative Formats
  • Content should have secondary formats, like captions, to ensure that everybody can engage with it.
  • Applicable success criteria: 1.1.1 Non-text content, 1.2.2 Captions, 1.2.5 audio descriptions
• Consistency
  • Keep multi-use content items, like navigation menus, in the same location and with the same labels.
  • Applicable success criteria: 3.2.3 Consistent Navigation, 3.2.4: Consistent Identification
• Motion Control
  • Ensure there is a way to pause or hide moving content like GIFs or videos.
  • Applicable success criteria: 2.2.2 Pause, Stop, Hide, 2.3.1 Three Flashes or Below Threshold
• Error Handling
  • Ensure form fields have good instructions, proper error messages, and suggestions.
  • Applicable success criteria: 3.3.1 Error Identification, 3.3.3 Error Suggestion

Applying these standards is an essential step toward making digital products more functional for a wider range of people. However, keep in mind that while these criteria provide a strong foundation for neuro-inclusive design, this is not an exhaustive list for every user's needs.