Mental Model

A user's internal representation of how a system, interface, or environment works, built through experience and interaction. In web accessibility, mental models are critical because screen reader users build spatial mental models of webpage layouts even without seeing them, using heading structure, landmarks, and consistent navigation patterns. Disrupting these mental models — for example, by restructuring the DOM or moving elements — can cause disorientation and reduce efficiency. Effective accessibility tools preserve page structure to maintain users' existing mental models while enhancing the browsing experience.