ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses the challenge of accommodating low-literacy users in system design. It explores the nature of low-literacy population and the magnitude of the problem, the relationship between literacy, learning disability, and cognitive disabilities, general characteristics, functional characteristics, and recommendations for design and research best practice. The chapter focuses on low-literacy and learning-disabled populations and universal design solutions rather than more severe cognitive disabilities requiring assistive technologies. Many of the barriers to accessibility require simple modifications in the interface and interaction design. Accessible design is an art, in which the needs of one group are carefully balanced against those of another, and the designer recognizes that “accessible for most” is more achievable than “accessible for all.” Personalization of the interface, interaction, and information design is increasingly recognized as an effective means of addressing the highly individualized needs of the population.
