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Adapting UX research for neurodiversity and cognitive disabilities%%page%% %%sep%% %%sitename%%

krista.pereira@makeitfable.com — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Adapting UX research for neurodiversity and cognitive disabilities

Digital exclusion isn’t always obvious. For those with cognitive accessibility needs, the barriers can show up in seemingly small ways. Elements like multi-step instructions, unclear navigation, visual distractions, and even unclear icons can make everyday digital tasks feel harder than they should (or, worse, impossible to complete). And because cognitive disabilities are often non-apparent and misunderstood, usability issues affecting these groups can be overlooked in the product research and design processes.

This leaves out critical usability perspectives. According to the CDC, more than 1 in 4 adults in the United States have some type of disability and cognitive is the most prevalent form, affecting nearly 14%.

For UX researchers, this presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Recruiting cognitive testers isn’t always straightforward. Their disabilities may not be visible, they may not identify with a medical label, or they may even hesitate to disclose. Standard research methods also aren’t always designed with this group in mind. But when their perspectives are included, the payoff is building more inclusive digital experiences for all.

Learn how to adapt UX research for cognitive testers

This article shares examples of cognitive disabilities and the common ways inaccessible digital experiences fail people who live with them.

It breaks down why people with this type of disability are often left out of UX research.
It talks about the importance of user testing to better consider cognitive accessibility needs throughout the product development lifecycle.
Finally, it distills key findings from a pilot study into how you can best adapt research methods when working with cognitive UX testers.

The most common cognitive barriers in digital experiences

krista.pereira@makeitfable.com — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT

The most common cognitive barriers in digital experiences

When it comes to cognitive accessibility, many common design patterns create friction. Below are common challenges that make digital experiences harder to use for this audience, and what you should keep in mind to build your best and most inclusive products.

“Sticking to standardized choices across websites and instructions is always a good move to make, because for people with cognitive disabilities in particular, you can have a predisposed understanding of what’s going to happen. It’s almost like you’re guessing what’s going to happen beforehand, and you’re using previous experiences to make it easier on yourself. If something that you’re doing is drastically outside of those expectations, it can be very difficult.”

– Fable Community member

How to submit a request with Fable’s cognitive audience

krista.pereira@makeitfable.com — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Fable Learning Center

How to submit a request with Fable’s cognitive audience

Learn how to conduct research with members of Fable’s Community with cognitive access needs.

Cognitive accessibility toolkit

krista.pereira@makeitfable.com — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Fable Learning Centre

Cognitive accessibility toolkit

This toolkit will help you make the most of cognitive accessibility research with Fable Engage.

Learn: how cognitive accessibility shapes real user experiences
Plan: how to consider cognitive needs in your research and testing
Do: practical steps you can take to start collecting insights today

Talon | What is Talon? | Fable

krista.pereira@makeitfable.com — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Developed by Talon Voice, an independent software project created by developer Ryan Hileman and first released in 2020, Talon Voice is software that enables users to control a desktop computer through spoken commands. It allows users to navigate interfaces, enter text, and interact with applications entirely by voice. Commands such as “click,” “scroll,” or “open browser” can be used to perform common actions, while custom commands can automate more complex workflows.

Talon Voice includes both speech-to-text functionality for dictation and speech-to-command control for system navigation. It combines proprietary speech recognition with an open, community-driven scripting layer that lets users create, share, and refine voice command sets. This makes it especially popular among power users and developers who rely on hands-free computing or have accessibility requirements.

Talon Voice is compatible with macOS and Windows operating systems and can integrate with additional input methods such as eye tracking or head tracking for greater precision.

Fable expands testing community to the UK %%page%% %%sep%% %%sitename%%

krista.pereira@makeitfable.com — Tue, 21 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Fable expands testing community to the UK to help organisations comply with EU Accessibility Act

Expansion supports digital accessibility for 1 in 4 EU adults and 20%+ of ageing population through lived experience and human insight

Real leaders share stories of EAA compliance readiness %%sep%% %%sitename%%

krista.pereira@makeitfable.com — Tue, 07 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Real leaders share stories of European Accessibility Act compliance readiness

Regulations like the European Accessibility Act (EAA) set deadlines, but accessibility isn’t something teams finish and file away. Real readiness is measured in customer experiences, not calendar dates. And a recent Fable webinar revealed that many teams back confidence in their progress.

Kyrby B. | Fable Community

krista.pereira@makeitfable.com — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Meet the Fable Community: Kyrby B.

Pronouns: She/her
Time zone: GMT
Languages spoken: English

Kyrby is in her twenties and has Quadriplegic Arthrogryposis, a condition that affects all four limbs and causes joint contractures, muscle weakness, and limited range of movement.  She primarily uses Apple Voice Control to navigate digital experiences, and also uses Windows Voice Access with Microsoft products.

“Disability is a minority group that anyone can join at any time. Until you experience it — whether directly or through your friends or family — you don’t realize how important accessibility is. Companies will say, ‘We’ve never had any complaints.’ That’s probably because the person couldn’t find the email address to file one. It’s not that the disabled person doesn’t exist.”

Kyrby B.
Accessibility Tester at Fable

Meet Caitlin W. | Fable Community

krista.pereira@makeitfable.com — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Meet the Fable Community: Caitlin W.

Pronouns: She/her
Time zone: EST
Languages spoken: English

Caitlin is in her thirties and is a blind screen reader user. She primarily uses a Windows laptop and an iPhone to navigate digital experiences. Her assistive technologies include VoiceOver for iPhone and the JAWS (Job Access with Speech) screen reader on her laptop, with NVDA (Nonvisual Desktop Access) as a backup option.

“If an online shopping experience isn’t accessible, and I can get the item from another brand, I’m 100% abandoning the experience. I’m trying something else.”

Caitlin W.
Accessibility Tester at Fable

Meet Donna B. | Fable Community

krista.pereira@makeitfable.com — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Meet the Fable Community: Donna B.

Pronouns: She/her
Time zone: EST
Languages spoken: English, some French

Donna is in her fifties, is autistic, and has ADHD. Her neurodivergence changes the way she sees and perceives websites and apps. She also has photophobia, which results in increased sensitivity or intolerance to light.  Donna uses a Windows desktop computer and Samsung Android phone to navigate digital experiences.

“I’m passionate about advocating for accessibility. WCAG rules are great, but they aren’t enough. I go above and beyond because it’s so important for people with neurodivergence.”

Donna B.
Accessibility Tester at Fable