Stop making people think

Vibe Check – Stop making people think: How cognitive load impacts accessibility

Every interaction with a digital product requires mental effort—whether it’s reading content, navigating menus, or completing a form. When a design is intuitive, this effort is low, allowing people to engage with content easily. But when a design is complex, cluttered, or unclear, it increases cognitive load, making interactions frustrating and exhausting.

For people with cognitive disabilities, high cognitive load can be a significant barrier. Overcomplicated interfaces, inconsistent layouts, and excessive information create unnecessary challenges that make digital experiences difficult to use. In this post, we’ll explore how design choices impact cognitive load and how we can create more accessible, user-friendly experiences for everyone.

A personal story – The time I struggled with a banking app

I recently needed to transfer money using a mobile banking app I hadn’t used before. It seemed modern and well-designed, but the moment I started the process, I felt lost. The navigation relied on directional navigation, making it difficult to follow for people who don’t rely on spatial cues, options were buried in dropdowns, and the instructions were vague. I clicked what I thought was the right button, only to be redirected to an entirely different section of the app.

After multiple failed attempts, I had to start over, carefully reading every word and trying different pathways. What should have been a simple task took twice as long because the interface wasn’t intuitive. I kept thinking, "If I, someone familiar with digital experiences, am struggling this much, how much harder is this for people with cognitive disabilities?"

This experience made it clear: a visually clean design isn’t enough. Without clear guidance, predictable navigation, and reduced cognitive friction, even basic tasks become barriers. Accessibility isn’t just about making content perceivable and operable; it’s about reducing unnecessary cognitive effort so that everyone can complete their tasks with ease.

Elevate the vibe – Understanding cognitive load

Cognitive load refers to the amount of mental effort required to process information. When digital experiences require too much focus, memory, or problem-solving, they become overwhelming—especially for people with cognitive disabilities.

There are three main types of cognitive load:

Intrinsic Load: The effort required to understand the content itself. For example, reading a complex legal document.

Extraneous Load: The unnecessary mental effort caused by bad design choices. For example, an inconsistent layout that forces users to stop and figure out how to navigate.

Germane Load: The effort spent making sense of information and learning something new. A well-designed interface reduces extraneous load so users can focus on the important parts.

Vibe up – How poor design choices increase cognitive load

1) Overcomplicated navigation

The problem:

Menus with too many options make it hard to find what users need.

Unclear categories force people to guess where to go next.

Hidden menus or non-standard layouts slow down interactions.

Fix it:

Use clear, concise navigation labels.

Limit the number of top-level menu items.

Follow predictable navigation patterns so users don’t have to learn a new system every time.

2) Inconsistent design and UI elements

The problem:

Buttons and links look different across pages, leading to confusion.

Inconsistent wording (e.g., “Sign Up” on one page and “Register” on another) forces users to interpret meaning.

Forms have different layouts, requiring people to constantly adjust.

Fix it:

Create a consistent design system with clear button styles, headings, and form structures.

Use the same terminology throughout the site.

Keep interactive elements uniform so they are easy to recognize.

3) Too much information at once

The problem:

Walls of text overwhelm users, making it hard to find key information.

Excessive instructions or unnecessary details create mental fatigue.

Lack of visual hierarchy makes scanning difficult.

Fix it:

Break text into smaller sections with clear headings.

Use bullet points or numbered lists for important details.

Highlight key information with bold text or visual cues.

4) Unclear error messages and feedback

The problem:

Forms return generic error messages like “Invalid input” without explaining what’s wrong.

Users don’t receive confirmation when an action is completed.

Critical feedback is hidden or hard to notice.

Fix it:

Provide specific error messages (e.g., “Your password must be at least 8 characters and include one number.”).

Use clear success messages and confirmations.

Ensure error messages are easy to read and located near the issue.

5) Forcing users to remember too much

The problem:

Multi-step forms don’t save progress, requiring users to start over if they make a mistake.

Instructions disappear before users can read them fully.

Content requires users to recall information from previous pages.

Fix it:

Allow users to review and edit their inputs before submission.

Keep helpful instructions visible while they complete tasks.

Use progressive disclosure—show information when needed instead of all at once.

Vibe boost – How to reduce cognitive load for a better UX

1) Simplify interfaces

Reduce clutter and remove unnecessary elements.

Use whitespace effectively to separate content.

Follow predictable design patterns.

2) Make actions intuitive

Ensure buttons look like buttons.

Use clear, action-oriented language (e.g., “Continue to Checkout” instead of “Next”).

Provide tooltips or contextual help when needed.

3) Improve readability

Use short sentences and plain language.

Support text with visuals where appropriate.

Allow users to adjust text size and spacing.

4) Test with real users

Conduct usability testing with people who have cognitive disabilities.

Observe where users struggle and simplify those interactions.

Iterate based on feedback.

Self-reflection – Evaluating your design for cognitive load

Ask yourself:

Is my interface overwhelming or easy to understand?

Do users have to think too much about how to complete basic tasks?

Am I providing clear guidance throughout interactions?

Have I tested my design with users who experience cognitive challenges?

Reducing cognitive load benefits everyone, not just those with disabilities. A well-designed, intuitive interface leads to better user experiences across the board.

Vibe in action – Making digital experiences effortless

1) Apply what you’ve learned

Audit your website or app to identify areas with high cognitive load.

Simplify navigation, content, and form interactions.

2) Share the knowledge

Educate designers and developers on how cognitive load impacts accessibility.

Advocate for clear, user-friendly interfaces.

3) Keep learning

Follow accessibility professionals who focus on cognitive accessibility.

Stay updated on best practices for inclusive design.

Vibing out

Digital accessibility isn’t just about compliance—it’s about making interfaces easier to use for everyone. When we reduce cognitive load, we create experiences that are more intuitive, less stressful, and more enjoyable.

Let’s move away from complexity for the sake of aesthetics and toward clarity for the sake of usability.

Because when accessibility is effortless, everyone wins.