Mild Cognitive Impairment

A condition involving a noticeable decline in cognitive abilities — including memory, reasoning, or judgment — that is greater than expected for a person's age but does not significantly interfere with daily functioning. MCI is distinct from dementia in that individuals generally maintain independence in everyday activities, though it can be a precursor to Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia. Understanding MCI is important for accessibility practitioners because people with this condition may need subtle accommodations in digital interfaces and community programs, such as simplified navigation, consistent layouts, and reduced cognitive load, while still being active technology users.