Neuro-Inclusive Design: Cultivating Clarity Without Cognitive Overload

Do your designs assist or overwhelm people with different ways of thinking, focusing, processing, and perceiving the world?

Thoughtful design can make the difference between clarity and cognitive overload for neurodivergent users. In this session, Kayleen Holt explores how design choices affect people with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, sensory sensitivities, and other forms of neurodivergence.

Through real-world examples, personal stories, and practical accessibility strategies, you’ll learn how cognitive load, sensory input, memory, and executive functioning shape the way people experience your work—and how small design choices can create the conditions for more users to thrive.

Whether you design websites, presentations, documents, interfaces, or multimedia content, you’ll leave with actionable techniques and a new perspective on how accessible design can support clarity, flexibility, and inclusion for every mind.

You’ll learn how to:

• Recognize common cognitive and sensory barriers in design
• Reduce overwhelm without sacrificing creativity
• Apply practical neuro-inclusive design strategies
• Use the W3C Cognitive Accessibility Guidance in approachable, real-world ways
• Create more flexible, user-centered experiences for a wider range of people