The Law 6/2022, of March 31, marks a turning point on the path towards universal accessibility in Spain. This standard modifies the Consolidated Text of the General Law on the rights of people with disabilities and their social inclusion (Royal Legislative Decree 1/2013), explicitly incorporating the concept of cognitive accessibility.
But what does this mean exactly? What changes does this law introduce in the current legal framework? And, above all, how does it affect people with disabilities or those with comprehension difficulties? In this article we address all these aspects clearly and in detail.
What is Law 6/2022?
The Law 6/2022 is a standard approved by the Spanish Parliament that aims to guarantee that environments, products, services, procedures and communications are understandable for all people, including those with intellectual disabilities, developmental disorders, reading comprehension difficulties, autism or other conditions that make it difficult to interpret the environment.
With this law, Spain adapts its legislation to the principles of the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, especially article 9 on accessibility.
What is cognitive accessibility?
Cognitive accessibility is the component of accessible design that makes it easier for people with cognitive difficulties to understand the environment and information. In the current legal framework, this is defined in article 2.k) of the Consolidated Text, modified by Law 6/2022, as:
“the characteristic of the environment, processes, goods, products, services, objects or instruments that makes their understanding, learning and use possible regardless of the level of cognitive abilities of each person.”
Some examples of resources that promote cognitive accessibility are:
- Easy reading texts
- Pictograms and visual signage
- Augmentative and alternative communication systems (SAAC)
- Simplified instructions
- Predictable environments with visual supports
Key modifications introduced by Law 6/2022
The standard modifies several key articles of Royal Legislative Decree 1/2013:
Article 5
It reinforces the principle of universal accessibility, incorporating cognitive accessibility as an independent dimension, along with physical and sensory accessibility.
Article 23
It includes easy reading as a valid way to guarantee access to public information, especially in administrative, health and judicial services.
Article 29 bis (new)
This is the innovative core of Law 6/2022. Specifically regulates cognitive accessibility, including:
- The recognition of the right to access the environment in an understandable way.
- The obligation of public administrations to promote cognitively and socially accessible environments.
- The establishment of standards and specific technical guides.
- The incorporation of cognitive accessibility measures in education, health, transportation, justice and the media.
Article 99
Promotes the regulatory development of basic conditions and evaluation, monitoring and sanction mechanisms.
How will this cognitive accessibility be implemented?
Law 6/2022 does not remain theoretical. It also establishes specific instruments for the application of these measures.
Spanish Center for Cognitive Accessibility (CEACOG)
The Spanish Center for Cognitive Accessibility is created, with functions of:
- Preparation of technical standards and recommendations.
- Training and awareness.
- Research and development of good practices.
- Support for administrations and entities.
National Cognitive Accessibility Plan
This plan, still in development, will establish concrete objectives, implementation deadlines, and evaluation and monitoring mechanisms to guarantee that cognitive accessibility is integrated into all public policies.
Relationship with other accessibility regulations
The Law 6/2022 does not arise in a legal vacuum. Its development is aligned and complements other national and European regulations that have laid the foundations for the right to universal accessibility. Understanding this relationship is key to appreciating its real scope.
Royal Decree 1112/2018
This decree regulates the accessibility of public sector websites and mobile applications. Although it is focused on digital accessibility, its spirit coincides with Law 6/2022 by recognizing the need for information to be understandable to everyone.
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Both frameworks advocate eliminating informational barriers.
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While RD 1112/2018 is based on technical standards such as WCAG 2.1, Law 6/2022 provides a more social and cognitive approach, incorporating tools such as easy readingor the pictograms.
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The combination of both offers a comprehensive vision: technical + cognitive.
European Accessibility Act (Directive 2019/882)
The European Accessibility Act, mandatory for Member States to transpose, establishes common requirements to guarantee the accessibility of key products and services in the EU (such as payment terminals, transport, e-commerce or banking services).
Law 6/2022 complements this directive from a focus more focused on cognitive accessibility, an aspect that the European Act mentions but does not develop in depth.
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Both standards share a vision of accessibility as a right and not just as a technical adaptation.
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The development of cognitive tools in digital and physical environments, promoted by Law 6/2022, reinforces the practical implementation of the European Act in Spain.
Who benefits from this law?
Although it is designed mainly for people with intellectual disabilities or comprehension difficulties, its positive impact extends to:
- Older people with cognitive impairment.
- People with learning disorders or the autism spectrum.
- Citizens in general, by facilitating access to public services and information.
That’s clear: cognitive accessibility is not only a matter of inclusion, but also of communicative efficiency and social justice.
Conclusion
Law 6/2022 represents a crucial advance in the recognition of the right to understand. By regulating cognitive accessibility, Spain is at the forefront of inclusive policies, responding to a historical demand from groups of people with disabilities.
The challenge? Its practical and effective application. But with the institutional mechanisms created and the involvement of all agents, we are one step closer to a society that is understandable for all people.
