Help us improve
Share bugs, ideas, or general feedback.
From designpowers
Evaluates cognitive load types, wayfinding, focus management, and decision complexity in interfaces for users with cognitive differences, stress, or divided attention.
npx claudepluginhub owl-listener/designpowersHow this skill is triggered — by the user, by Claude, or both
Slash command
/designpowers:cognitive-accessibilityThe summary Claude sees in its skill listing — used to decide when to auto-load this skill
The hardest accessibility barriers to see are cognitive ones. A screen reader user encounters a missing label and knows immediately. A person with a processing difference encounters an interface that demands too much of their working memory and just... leaves. This skill makes cognitive demands visible and manageable.
Manages working memory limits by chunking, offloading, and reducing complexity. Use when information architecture or communication feels overwhelming.
Grounds visual design decisions in cognitive psychology principles—perception, attention, memory, Gestalt grouping, encoding hierarchy—for interfaces, data visualizations, educational content, presentations.
Evaluates UI designs using Nielsen's 10 Usability Heuristics and Norman's principles. Guides writing UX acceptance criteria and reviewing wireframes/mockups.
Share bugs, ideas, or general feedback.
The hardest accessibility barriers to see are cognitive ones. A screen reader user encounters a missing label and knows immediately. A person with a processing difference encounters an interface that demands too much of their working memory and just... leaves. This skill makes cognitive demands visible and manageable.
For each screen or flow, evaluate three types of load:
Intrinsic load — complexity inherent to the task
Extraneous load — complexity added by poor design
Germane load — effort spent learning the system
Extraneous load is design debt. Reduce it:
People need to know three things at all times:
For multi-step processes:
Attention is a limited resource. Protect it:
Cognitive accessibility means mistakes are cheap:
For each screen or flow, note:
ui-composition and interaction-designaccessible-content (language complexity), adaptive-interfaces (personalisation), inclusive-personas (cognitive diversity)designpowers-critique| Guideline | Implementation |
|---|---|
| Provide help and support | Contextual help adjacent to complex interactions |
| Use clear language | Plain language, no jargon, short sentences |
| Make it easy to find things | Consistent navigation, clear labels, search |
| Make tasks easy to complete | Fewer steps, clear progress, forgiving input |
| Avoid reliance on memory | Display information rather than requiring recall |
| Provide feedback | Clear confirmation of actions and state changes |
| Prevent and support error correction | Validation, undo, confirmation for destructive actions |