Distributed Cognition

A theoretical framework developed by Edwin Hutchins that views cognitive processes as distributed across individuals, artifacts, and the environment rather than confined to a single mind. In accessibility contexts, distributed cognition helps explain how people — particularly older adults and those with cognitive disabilities — extend their capabilities by modifying their environment with external memory aids such as sticky notes, labels, or digital reminders. Understanding distributed cognition is important for accessible design because it recognizes that users actively customize their surroundings to support interaction with technology, and that accessible systems should support rather than hinder these adaptive strategies.