Dyslexic Intuitive™ Standard

A ranked usability standard that helps developers design—and users identify—software that feels natural for dyslexic cognition, reducing cognitive load and building confidence.

I use countless tools in my personal and professional life — from note-taking apps to project planners. When a tool feels intuitive, my confidence in using it goes up instantly. That experience led me to realize: apps need a way to show how easy they are for dyslexic users and others with similar cognitive profiles to understand before committing. The Dyslexic Intuitive™ Standard gives: 1) a quick way to assess usability before full adoption; 2) a framework for structured conversations about design; and 3) a reminder to developers that intuitive front ends reduce support needs. Dyslexia is a spectrum with overlapping traits across neurological conditions. It's about more than reading — it's about processing, navigation, and confidence. Apps that recognize and design for this will not just gain users — they'll earn loyalty.

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What is Dyslexic Intuitive™?

Dyslexic Intuitive (DI) is a ranked measure of how seamlessly a software application can be understood, navigated, and used by individuals with dyslexic cognitive profiles. A high DI score means the tool minimizes cognitive friction, leverages pattern recognition, and provides multi-sensory cues to build confidence without overloading working memory.

The 7 DI Criteria

Pattern Consistency

UI elements behave predictably throughout the application

Cognitive Load

Minimizes working memory demands during tasks

Multi-Sensory

Supports multiple input/output modalities

Error Recovery

Clear paths to correct mistakes without penalty

Navigation

Intuitive wayfinding with spatial consistency

Customization

Adaptable to individual preferences

Feedback

Clear, immediate responses to user actions

The DI Scale (0–5)

Table describing DI ranks from Non-DI (0) to Exceptional DI (5).
High DI apps reduce cognitive switching, use consistent patterns, and support multi-sensory cues.

DI Rating Examples

5
Exceptional DI: Apps with perfect scores across all criteria, like intuitive drawing tools with gesture-based interfaces
3
Moderate DI: Common productivity apps with some customization but inconsistent patterns
1
Low DI: Complex enterprise software with dense information and high cognitive load

How the Score is Calculated

Each of the seven criteria is rated on a 0–10 scale during an audit, then averaged and mapped to the 0–5 DI rank. The process is fast, repeatable, and transparent. A public checklist enables a full evaluation in under 10 minutes.

Radar chart showing an example DI profile across seven criteria.
Interpreting the DI Radar Chart: This visual shows how an app performs across the seven DI criteria. High scores in Pattern Consistency, Cognitive Load Reduction, and Error Recovery contribute to a Very High DI rating.

Scoring Process

1
Initial Assessment

Quick 2-minute scan to identify obvious DI strengths/weaknesses

2
Task Evaluation

Complete 3-5 common tasks while scoring each criterion

3
Score Calculation

Average scores across criteria and map to 0-5 DI scale

4
Radar Chart

Visualize strengths and opportunities for improvement

Certification

DI Certified badge

Dyslexic Intuitive™ Certified

This badge signifies evaluation against the Dyslexic Intuitive™ Standard and meeting criteria for inclusive, pattern-based, and cognitively accessible design. A DI-certified score reflects minimized cognitive load, consistent visual structure, multi-sensory support, and adaptive navigation — ensuring an interface that feels natural for dyslexic users and beneficial for all.

Learn About Certification

Certification Benefits

✓
Market Differentiation

Stand out as an inclusive product in competitive markets

✓
User Trust

Build confidence with dyslexic users before they download

✓
Design Guidance

Clear targets for improving cognitive accessibility

Contribute & Next Steps

  • Developers: Test your app against the DI checklist and publish a radar chart.
  • Dyslexic users: Submit apps that feel intuitive — or exhausting.
  • Organizations: Include DI scoring in procurement and vendor reviews.
  • Researchers: Help validate and refine the DI criteria through studies.
  • Educators: Teach DI principles in design and development courses.

Ready to Get Started?

Download the DI Audit Checklist to evaluate your favorite apps or your own software projects.

Download Checklist v1.0

DI Audit Checklist v1.0 — coming soon.