What are the best practices for creating content that is optimized for different cognitive abilities?

Your alt tags aren't just another way to stuff your keywords into a page. Use actual, human descriptions. Be as specific as you can.

The most powerful way to make something universal is to use the power of story. There is nothing more powerful or universally inclusive as a well told story.

Headlines and white space are your best friends. Remember, most people access your copy on a mobile. So, just think about how you open a website... Do you trudge through bit-by-bit, reading every sentence? OR, do you rapid-scroll to the end and find the good bits? 🤔 The only way you'll make it easy on your readers to find the good bits is make it GLARINGLY obvious. White space makes those good bits stand out. Headlines guide your users on where to go.

Building Bridges for Everyone - Universal design is like building a ramp next to stairs – it ensures everyone can access your content effortlessly. Consider diverse needs from the start, such as using clear fonts, simple layouts, and multimedia options like images and videos with alt text.

- Make it clear: Use short sentences and avoid jargon. Imagine explaining it to a friend. - Chunk it up: Break down complex topics into bite-sized pieces, like easy-to-swallow information. - Show, don't tell: Use pictures, infographics, and videos to explain your ideas. Think of cool visuals in your textbook. - Organize it well: Use headings and bullet points to make it easy to follow, like a well-organized backpack. - Offer choices: Provide different formats like text, audio, or video to cater to different learning styles. - Test and improve: Get feedback and adjust your content to make it clear for everyone.

- Use clear, concise language. - Use simple sentence structure. - Break up content into smaller chunks. - Use images, infographics, and videos to support your content. - Use consistent formatting and design. - Use headings, subheadings, and bullet points to make the content easy to scan. - Use a variety of text sizes and colors to make the content easier to read. Trust me, it works like magic.

Nobody is going to give attention to your content if they can't understand it. Use language that is as simple as possible to get a wide reach for your content

Speak Clearly and Concisely Think of plain language like having a conversation with a friend – you want to be understood without needing a dictionary. Use simple words, short sentences, and avoid jargon or complex terminology. Your goal is to communicate effectively with as many people as possible.

-Write it in a way that even a 10-year-old could understand. - Write in bullet form so it's easy to read. -Don't write for everyone but write for the one who represents many. - Don't write for customers but write for your friends. This will make your task easy.

Clear is kind. Every industry has jargon. If it feels unavoidable, or necessary for a particular point to be understood, that’s OK. Just define it clearly first. And reiterate. It takes time for things to stick.

Just like a product in the market, content tastes differently for each person. And personally, I believe that exposing different content to different segments of people is the best way to receive genuine products. In other words human "A/B " testing.

Putting Your Content to the Test - Testing your content is like quality control in a factory – you want to catch any defects before they reach the market. Conduct usability tests with individuals of different cognitive abilities to ensure your content is user-friendly and easy to navigate.

To create content for different cognitive abilities: -Use clear, simple language -Incorporate visual aids -Organize content logically -Use plain language and avoid technical terms -Ensure readability with appropriate formatting -Include multimedia options for different learning styles -Add interactive elements for engagement -Provide plain text alternatives for non-text content -Test and gather feedback for improvement Following these practices creates inclusive, accessible content for diverse readers.

Fine-Tuning for Accessibility Optimizing your content is like tuning an instrument – it requires precision and attention to detail. Use headings, bullet points, and descriptive links to help users navigate your content more easily. Additionally, ensure compatibility with screen readers and other assistive technologies.

It's so very important to just keep it simple. 😃 For example, use short sentences. Make your sentences less than 15 words. Use words made up of 5 or less syllables. Don't speak over your audience's understanding. 🤔 Even as children, our ability to understand is usually greater than we adults expect. Describe in simple terms.😳 Tell your story (or sales letter) in terms that a child could imagine. You envision scenes for yourself.🤓 The human mind creates pictures that demonstrate what is being described. Ones' mind translates understood words into pictures. These, in turn, weave together words depicting the scene. When in doubt, see the first suggestion. Keep it simple sweetheart. ❤️

Opening Doors to Everyone Content accessibility is like installing an elevator in a building – it ensures everyone can reach the top floor. Provide alternatives for different sensory needs, such as audio descriptions for videos and transcripts for podcasts. Your goal is to make your content inclusive and welcoming to all.

Going the Extra Mile Consider going above and beyond to ensure your content is truly accessible to everyone. Educate yourself on accessibility guidelines such as WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) and strive to meet or exceed these standards. Remember, accessibility is not just a checkbox – it's a commitment to making the online world more inclusive for everyone.

Three (+3) things: 1. Structure. Blocks of text are really hard to read even if you don't have a specific type of cognitive ability. Split your text evenly, but don't do the whole Twitter bro verse-writing. It's annoying & it helps zero people. 2. Images. Your images need to complement your text, not reiterate it "but with colors." 3. Don't use jargon, unless your target audience is very likely used to it (think medical professions, technical people, etc.) 4. Stick to the point. Try to contain your desire to blabber. 5. Every sentence needs to make you want to read the next sentence. 6. Follow a red thread. Your content should actually say something, beginning to end, not just list down some paragraphs, tips, and random ideas.