Why Digital Accessibility Matters for people who are Neurodivergent, and how WCAG Helps

As workplaces grow more inclusive, we’re hearing more about neurodiversity, and rightly so. Neurodivergent people, including those with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other cognitive disabilities, represent an estimated 40% of the future global workforce. But for this talent to thrive, we must design systems, including digital ones, that work for all minds, not just some.

A recent report by Disability:IN highlights how neurodivergent individuals are reshaping productivity norms at work. Their need for clear, structured, and adaptable environments doesn't just support their success, it boosts productivity and inclusion across entire organisations. And nowhere is this more critical than in the digital spaces we use every day - both at work and beyond.

What Is Neurodiversity?

Neurodiversity is underpinned by the concept that there is no 'right' or 'correct' view of looking at the world. Further, neurological differences, such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia and dyspraxia, are natural and valuable forms of human diversity. 

People who identify as neurodivergent may experience the world in ways that differ from the “neurotypical” majority. This can affect how they process information, communicate, focus, and interact with their environment. These differences are not deficits, but rather part of the broad spectrum of human experience.

A neuroinclusive approach recognises and accommodates these differences, removing systemic and environmental barriers to allow everyone to participate fully.

For a more detailed read on neurodiversity, take a look at What is Neurodiversity from Harvard.

The Link Between Neurodiversity and Digital Accessibility

The Disability:IN report found that neurodivergent employees thrive when they have access to:

• Unambiguous written instructions
• Detailed agendas and advance notice
• Automated transcription and captioning
• Quiet, low-stimulation environments
• Flexible work tools and settings

These aren’t just “nice-to-haves.” They are essential accessibility features - and many of them are addressed by the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

How WCAG Supports Neurodivergent Accessibility

WCAG is often associated with screen reader compatibility or vision-related disability, but this is a myth. WCAG also includes success criteria that make content clearer, more structured, and easier to process - directly benefiting people who are neurodivergent.

Here are some examples:

• Clear and consistent navigation (success criterion 3.2.3) helps reduce cognitive load
• Descriptive headings and labels (success criterion 2.4.6) make information easier to scan and find
• Meaningful sequence and structure (success criterion 1.3.2) ensures logical reading order - helpful for those with ADHD or dyslexia
• Avoiding flashing or animated content (success criteria 2.3.1, 2.2.2) reduces sensory overload
• Plain language and simplified content (success criterion 3.1.5) helps reduce barriers for many with cognitive disabilities

These features benefit everyone, not just neurodivergent users. That’s the power of universal design.

From Individual Adjustments towards an Accessibility First Approach

The report emphasises a shift away from ad-hoc individual adjustments toward systemic, universal design practices. Knowing and applying WCAG isn’t just a technical requirement - it’s a form of inclusion that has benefits far beyond any one specific disability type.

An Accessibility First Approach means considering access needs at every stage of design and development, not as a compliance task at the end or merely as individual supports in an ad hoc way. 

When we embed accessibility into our workflows, we’re not just meeting legal obligations, we’re proactively reducing friction, stress, and cognitive barriers for people with different processing styles.

Supporting neurodivergent people isn’t about creating separate experiences. It’s about building digital spaces that welcome different ways of thinking and processing from the outset. WCAG is a key part of that.

As more organisations commit to neuroinclusion, the role of digital accessibility professionals becomes even more critical. WCAG gives us the technical scaffolding, but it’s the mindset shift, accessibility as standard, not exception. That makes inclusion sustainable.

By leading with accessibility, we help create systems where all people, regardless of how they think or communicate, can access information, take part in services, and feel respected in the process. That’s what inclusion really looks like.