This study was carried out by Michlol- the Evaluation and Measurement Unit of the Shalem Fund
This study examined whether images can serve as an effective alternative to standardized symbols for making online information accessible to adults with intellectual or cognitive disabilities. A computerized task compared recognition accuracy and response times for eight concepts presented as both symbols and images among 114 participants. Overall, images were identified with accuracy and speed comparable to symbols, with no significant differences for seven of the eight concepts. For “cinema,” images performed substantially better in both accuracy and speed. The findings suggest that images can support cognitive accessibility in digital environments and may offer a practical, accessible, and cost-effective option.
Keywords: Cognitive disability | Cognitive accessibility | Information accessibility | Symbols | Images | Online environments | Intellectual developmental disability
The initiative is a joint project of the Shalem Foundation and the Israeli Institute for Cognitive Accessibility, Ami Association. The study was conducted by “Michlol” – the Assessment and Research Unit of the Shalem Foundation, in collaboration with the Israeli Institute for Cognitive Accessibility and the Disabilities Administration at the Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs.
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Characterization and examination of cognitive accessibility needs of people with intellectual developmental disabilities in the public sphere>>, (2023), Michlol – Research Unit of the Shalem Foundation