The concept of Cognitive, Language and Learning Disabilities is very broad, and not always well defined. When a person is called "cognitively disabled", it is a general understanding that that individual faces challenges in performing one or more types of cerebral tasks. Since this can result in different types of functional abilities, there is no one-size-fits-all solution to ensure communication access for individuals who may fall within this population.

In terms of web accessibility, classifying cognitive disabilities with respect to functional abilities is more useful as it focuses on abilities and challenges while ignoring medical and behavioral causes of disability. Some very common deficits of functional abilities are - Memory, Problem Solving, Attention, Reading, Linguistic, Math, Visual and Verbal comprehension. 

 

Key documents on cognitive, language, and learning disabilities accessibility strategies 

 

Standards related to cognitive, language, and learning disabilities

 

Key Organizations focusing on cognitive, language, and learning disabilities

 

Other Key Resources

                                                     

                                       

This QuickSheet was prepared by Gregg Vanderheiden and Pavithra Ramasamy at the Trace R&D Center, University of Maryland, College Park