This study by Ekin et al. (2025) provides compelling evidence that web accessibility features—originally designed for users with disabilities, also significantly benefit individuals without disabilities by enhancing cognitive engagement during online interactions. Using a multimodal approach that combined eye-tracking, heart rate variability (HRV), and self-reports, the researchers examined how cognitive and low vision accessibility features affect attention and information processing.
Twenty participants explored modified versions of BBC and New York Times websites, each enhanced for either cognitive or low vision accessibility. Cognitive enhancements included simplified language and reduced visual clutter, while low vision enhancements focused on spacing and contrast adjustments. Results showed that cognitive accessibility features led to deeper and more sustained attention, as indicated by increased focal attention (measured via the K coefficient) and reduced HRV, suggesting higher cognitive effort. These effects were especially pronounced over time, counteracting the typical decline in engagement during prolonged tasks.
Low vision enhancements improved readability and promoted more relaxed, ambient attention, reflected in longer inter-beat intervals and higher HRV. While comprehension scores did not differ significantly across conditions, participants rated accessible websites as easier to read and understand.
The study’s innovative use of psychophysiological measures highlights the broader value of accessible design. It suggests that integrating accessibility features into mainstream web design can enhance user experience, reduce cognitive fatigue, and support sustained engagement, even for users without disabilities.
These findings advocate for a shift toward universal design principles, emphasizing that accessibility is not just a matter of compliance but a pathway to better digital experiences for all.
References
- Ekin M, Krejtz K, Duarte C, Pereira LS, Marcus-Quinn A, Krejtz I (2025) Impact of web accessibility on cognitive engagement in individuals without disabilities: Evidence from a psychophysiological study. PLoS One 20(7): e0328552. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0328552
Serra Húnter Fellow of Sociology at Universitat Rovira i Virgili.
Former DAAD-Gastprofessorin at Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg