Exploring the Technical and Cognitive Accessibility of Cookie Consent Banners for People with Varying Abilities

Cookie consent banners, essential for compliance with regulations like GDPR, often present significant accessibility barriers for users with varying abilities. This chapter explores the technical and cognitive challenges associated with these banners, drawing on a thorough literature review and expert evaluations of prominent Norwegian websites. The study identifies key issues such as incorrect semantic coding, inadequate color contrast, and poor keyboard navigation, which hinder the accessibility of cookie banners. Additionally, it highlights the lack of explanatory support and error prevention mechanisms, which are crucial for users to make informed decisions about their cookie preferences. The findings reveal that while many banners prioritize text structuring, they often fail to provide the necessary explanations and support for users to understand and manage their cookie settings effectively. This chapter offers a detailed analysis of these challenges and suggests areas for improvement, paving the way for more inclusive and user-friendly cookie consent banners. By addressing these critical issues, the study aims to enhance the overall user experience and ensure that cookie consent banners are accessible to all users, regardless of their abilities.