Down Syndrome

Down syndrome is a genetic condition that often involves differences in working memory, abstract reasoning, and processing time. People with Down syndrome have a wide range of abilities and many use mainstream digital technology every day.

The W3C's user story for Sophie, a basketball fan with Down syndrome describes a part-time stadium worker who uses websites and apps to shop, bank, and buy tickets. The barriers she meets are concrete: jargon, acronyms, dense text, ticket flows that jump between sites with inconsistent layouts, and links that open PDFs without warning. Plain language, clear headings, breadcrumbs, and apps with fewer options all help her.

Use plain language and explain acronyms. Keep layouts consistent. Break content into sections with descriptive headings. Warn users when a link will open a different site or file type. Give people enough time, or a way to extend it.