Skill: Cognitive Accessibility

Domain: Cognitive, learning, and neurological accessibility
WCAG scope: WCAG 2.2 AA + key AAA, COGA W3C guidance
Agents that use this skill: cognitive-accessibility, web-accessibility-wizard, accessibility-lead, forms-specialist

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Purpose

This skill provides reference tables, scoring formulas, and evaluation patterns for cognitive accessibility review. It covers:

• WCAG 2.2 success criteria with cognitive accessibility relevance
• COGA (Cognitive Accessibility) W3C guidance mapping
• Plain language analysis techniques
• Reading level computation
• Authentication pattern analysis (3.3.8 / 3.3.9)
• Redundant entry detection (3.3.7)
• Timeout and session management analysis

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WCAG 2.2 Cognitive Accessibility Criteria Reference

Level A

SC	Name	What to Check	Common Failures
2.2.1	Timing Adjustable	Session timeouts warn >=20s before expiry; user can extend >=10x or disable	Redirect without warning; extension UI exists but does nothing
2.2.2	Pause, Stop, Hide	Auto-moving/blinking content >5s has pause/stop control	Blinking backgrounds, marquee text, auto-scrolling feeds
2.3.1	Three Flashes	No content flashes >3 Hz (absolute)	Transition animations that strobe
3.3.1	Error Identification	Error identified in text, not just color	Red border with no error message
3.3.2	Labels or Instructions	Format requirements shown before error, required fields identified upfront	Format hint only in error state; asterisks with no legend
3.3.7	Redundant Entry (2.2 new)	Previously-entered info not re-requested in same session unless security-essential or stale	Email re-entered on step 3; billing address not pre-filled from shipping

Level AA

SC	Name	What to Check	Common Failures
2.4.6	Headings and Labels	Headings describe content; labels describe input purpose	"Section 1", "Info", "Details" as heading text
3.2.3	Consistent Navigation	Nav appears in same relative order across pages	Footer nav changes order on mobile vs desktop
3.2.4	Consistent Identification	Same-function components have same accessible name across pages	"Search" button on one page, "Find" on another
3.3.3	Error Suggestion	For detected errors, suggest correction when possible/safe	"Invalid email" with no example or format hint
3.3.4	Error Prevention (Legal, Financial)	Review step before irreversible submission; allow reversal or confirmation	One-click purchase with no review screen; no undo for account deletion
3.3.8	Accessible Authentication Min. (2.2 new)	Authentication must not require cognitive function test unless an alternative exists	autocomplete="off" on login forms; paste disabled in password fields; transcription-only CAPTCHA

Level AAA (Advisory - Review and Report)

SC	Name	What to Check
2.2.6	Timeouts	Warn about data loss from inactivity at start of session
3.1.3	Unusual Words	Jargon/idiom defined on first use
3.1.4	Abbreviations	Abbreviations expanded on first use
3.1.5	Reading Level	General content <= Grade 8; see formula below
3.3.9	Accessible Authentication Enhanced (2.2 new)	No cognitive function test at all (removes the object-recognition exception)

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Authentication Pattern Analysis (3.3.8 / 3.3.9)

Failing Patterns

Pattern	Failure	SC
autocomplete="off" on type="password"	Blocks password manager paste	3.3.8
JavaScript onpaste="return false" on password input	Blocks manual paste	3.3.8
CAPTCHA with only distorted text option	No cognitive-free alternative	3.3.8
Security question requiring exact recall	Pure memory test	3.3.8
Re-entering full card number on the same session order flow	Redundant cognitive work	3.3.7

Passing Patterns

Pattern	Why It Passes
<input type="password" autocomplete="current-password">	Allows password manager autofill
Passkey/biometric as login alternative	No cognitive function test
"Same as shipping address" checkbox on billing form	Eliminates redundant entry
CAPTCHA with audio alternative	Provides non-visual option
Email magic link with no password required	Removes cognitive test entirely

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Redundant Entry Patterns (3.3.7)

Detection Checklist

In multi-step forms or wizards:

1. Map all input fields across all steps
2. Flag any field that requests information already collected in an earlier step
3. Exception: security confirmation (password confirm) and data that can become stale (current vs. new address)

Common Violations

Step 1 Collects	Step 3 Also Asks	Violation?
Email address	Email for confirmation	Yes - unless security-essential
Full name	Billing name	Yes - should pre-fill
Shipping address	Billing address	Yes - should offer "same as shipping"
Date of birth	DOB for age verification	Yes - same session, same data
Password	Password confirm	No - security essential
Current address	New address (for change)	No - intentionally different

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Plain Language Analysis

Sentence Analysis

Evaluate all instructional text, error messages, button labels, and tooltip copy.

Metric	Target	How to Measure
Sentence length	<= 25 words; aim for 15-20	Count words between periods/question marks
Voice	Active preferred	Flag: "was submitted", "is required to be", "will be shown"
Double negatives	Zero tolerance	Flag: "not unable", "not required to not", "not without"
Jargon	Flag or define	Unexpanded acronyms, technical terms, domain-specific language
Consistent terminology	Same term for same concept	Flag: "sign in" + "log in" on same page/flow

Error Message Quality Rubric

Score each error message 0-3 on each dimension:

Dimension	0	1	2	3
Identification	No message	Generic ("Error occurred")	Names the field	Names the field and exact problem
Cause	Absent	Vague	Partial	Full explanation
Solution	Absent	Vague hint	General guidance	Specific example or format
Tone	Blame ("You entered...wrong")	Neutral	Neutral + helpful	Supportive and constructive

Minimum score to pass: 2 on Identification, 1 on Solution.

Error Message Examples

Rating	Error Text
Fail	"Invalid input."
Fail	"You entered the wrong password."
Marginal	"Password is incorrect."
Pass	"The password doesn't match. Passwords are case-sensitive - check Caps Lock and try again."
Pass	"Email must include @ - for example, name@company.com"

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Reading Level Computation

Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level Formula

$$GL = 0.39 \times \frac{W}{S} + 11.8 \times \frac{Sy}{W} - 15.59$$

Where:

• $W$ = total words
• $S$ = total sentences
• $Sy$ = total syllables

Syllable counting rules:

• Count each vowel cluster (a, e, i, o, u) as one syllable
• Subtract one syllable for silent trailing e ("made" = 1, "make" = 1)
• Each word has at least 1 syllable

Grade Level Targets

Content Type	Target GL	Rationale
Consumer web app (general)	<= 8	~50% of US adults read at Grade 8 or below
Government / public services	<= 6	Plain language mandate standard
Healthcare patient-facing	<= 6	Low health literacy is common
Legal terms of service	<= 10 with plain-language summary	Complex by nature, but summary required
Technical developer docs	<= 12	Expert audience acceptable

Quick-Estimate Method (when full computation is impractical)

Flag content for reading level review when:

• Any single sentence exceeds 35 words
• More than 30% of words exceed 3 syllables in a paragraph
• 3 or more Latin abbreviations in a single page ("i.e.", "e.g.", "et al.", "viz.")

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Timeout Warning Requirements (2.2.1)

Detection Pattern

1. Identify any page or application state with session persistence (authenticated areas, multi-step forms with temporary state)
2. Check for: activity monitoring, session expiry timers, auto-logout functionality
3. Verify warning mechanism exists when found

Compliant Implementation Pattern

// PASS: Session warning with extension option
const SESSION_TIMEOUT_MS = 15 * 60 * 1000; // 15 minutes
const WARNING_BEFORE_MS = 2 * 60 * 1000;   // Warn 2 minutes before

let warningShown = false;

sessionTimer = setTimeout(() => {
  if (!warningShown) {
    warningShown = true;
    showSessionWarning({
      message: "Your session will expire in 2 minutes due to inactivity.",
      extendLabel: "Stay signed in",
      logoutLabel: "Sign out now",
      onExtend: () => { resetTimer(); warningShown = false; },
      onLogout: () => endSession()
    });
  }
}, SESSION_TIMEOUT_MS - WARNING_BEFORE_MS);

ARIA for Session Warning

<div role="alertdialog" aria-modal="true" aria-labelledby="session-title" aria-describedby="session-desc">
  <h2 id="session-title">Session expiring</h2>
  <p id="session-desc">Your session will expire in <span id="session-countdown">2:00</span> minutes.</p>
  <button type="button" id="extend-btn" autofocus>Stay signed in</button>
  <button type="button">Sign out</button>
</div>

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COGA Guidance Mapping

Making Content Usable - Key Objectives

From the W3C COGA "Making Content Usable for People with Cognitive and Learning Disabilities" guidance:

Objective	What to Check	Severity
Use a clear and understandable writing style	Reading level, plain language, sentence structure	High
Avoid creating excessive cognitive load	Step count in forms, memory demands, auto-advancing content	High
Provide reminders and feedback	Confirmation messages, progress indicators ("Step 2 of 4"), success confirmation	Medium
Help users avoid mistakes and recover from them	Validation before submit, undo capability, confirm destructive actions	High
Make forms easy to fill out	Pre-populate known data, stepwise format, visible format hints	High
Use a consistent and predictable layout	Navigation location, interactive element behavior, icon consistency	Medium
Use familiar icons and symbols	Standard iconography, labeled icons, no icon-only navigation	Medium
Avoid distorting a person's view of reality	No fake urgency timers, no dark patterns	High

Severity Assessment for COGA Findings

Finding Type	Severity	Rationale
3.3.8 violation (paste disabled / CAPTCHA only)	Critical	Completely blocks authentication for many users
3.3.7 violation (required re-entry of existing data)	High	Significant burden; causes abandonment
2.2.1 violation (no timeout warning)	High	Data loss and user confusion
Reading level > Grade 10 (non-technical)	High	Excludes ~20% of adults
Error message with no correction guidance	High	Users cannot self-recover
Poor error message tone (blame language)	Medium	Anxiety increase; may cause abandonment
Inconsistent terminology across same flow	Medium	Confusion; increased cognitive load
Missing progress indicator in multi-step	Medium	User cannot gauge effort remaining
Reading level Grade 9-10 (general content)	Medium	Partial barrier
Jargon without definition	Low-Medium	Depends on density
Missing confirmation of success	Low	Uncertainty about whether action completed

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Integration Notes

When Used by web-accessibility-wizard

The wizard invokes cognitive-accessibility as part of Phase 3 (Forms and Input) and Phase 5 (Dynamic Content). Specifically:

• Phase 3: delegates 3.3.7 and 3.3.8 detection + error message quality to this skill
• Phase 5: delegates timeout warning detection to this skill

When Used Standalone

cognitive-accessibility agent loads this skill and applies the full Phase 2 + Phase 3 assessment independently. It accepts page URLs, component files, or plain text content blocks.

Handoffs from this Skill

• Form validation specifics -> forms-specialist
• ARIA state for error announcements -> aria-specialist
• Live region for timeout warnings -> live-region-controller
• WCAG criterion explanations -> wcag-guide