# UX Messy (M.E.S.S.Y.)

> M.E.S.S.Y. is a free workframe for neurodivergent designers: five moves (Map your mind, Externalize the chaos, Simplify the task, Sync with your energy, Yield without burning out) that can be used in any order. The site also keeps curated, non-affiliate lists of accessibility tools, institutions and books about ADHD, autism, dyslexia and cognitive accessibility.

Founded in Porto, Portugal, in February 2025 by Gustavo Brado. Content is in English. Editorial stance: no deficit framing; cognitive difference is treated as a design advantage. The site does not recommend accessibility overlay widgets.

## Pages

- [UX Messy](https://uxmessy.com/): M.E.S.S.Y. is a free workframe for neurodivergent designers: five moves (Map, Externalize, Simplify, Sync, Yield) built on cognitive accessibility.
- [The M.E.S.S.Y. Manifesto](https://uxmessy.com/manifesto/): Why clean process was always a lie, what cognitive accessibility looks like when you turn it on your own workflow, and what AI is actually for.
- [28 accessibility tools for dyslexia, ADHD and WCAG](https://uxmessy.com/tools/): 28 accessibility tools we actually use: reading tools for dyslexia and ADHD, WCAG checkers, screen readers, contrast tools and government monitors. No affiliate links.
- [Accessibility and neurodiversity bodies by country](https://uxmessy.com/institutions/): 44 organisations, standards bodies and laws on autism, ADHD, dyslexia and digital accessibility, across Portugal, Brazil, Canada, Australia, Germany, the UK, the US and the EU.
- [Books on ADHD, autism, dyslexia and neurodiversity (22)](https://uxmessy.com/reading/): 22 books on ADHD, autism, dyslexia and neurodiversity at work. No deficit framing, no cures.
- [Accessible AI conversation: standards, research, checklist](https://uxmessy.com/ai-accessibility/): Who is making AI chatbots and voice assistants accessible, what the EU AI Act requires, and 18 evidence-based practices for accessible AI conversation.
- [How brains differ](https://uxmessy.com/brain/): A scroll story of how ADHD, autistic, dyslexic, dyspraxic, dyscalculic and Tourette brains tend to differ, with every claim labelled by strength of evidence and linked to its source.
- [Join UX Messy](https://uxmessy.com/join/): UX Messy is a volunteer, async collaboration. Help with research and content, product and tools, or community.
- [Accessibility statement](https://uxmessy.com/accessibility/): How uxmessy.com meets WCAG 2.2 AA, the reading settings it offers, what we know still falls short, and how to tell us.

## The workframe

- M — Map your mind. Get it out of your head before you judge it.
- E — Externalize the chaos. Nothing gets simplified while it's still invisible.
- S — Simplify the task. Not the thinking, the task.
- S — Sync with your energy. Capacity is not constant, plan like it isn't.
- Y — Yield without burning out. Stopping is not failing.

## Tools

- [Helperbird](https://www.helperbird.com/): Reformats any page: dyslexia fonts, rulers, colour overlays, text-to-speech.
- [Microsoft Immersive Reader](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/education/products/learning-tools): Strips a page to plain text with line focus, syllable splitting and read-aloud.
- [OpenDyslexic](https://opendyslexic.org/): Free typeface with weighted bottoms to reduce letter flipping. A preference, not a cure.
- [BeeLine Reader](https://www.beelinereader.com/): Colour gradient that pulls the eye between lines — helps with ADHD line-skipping.
- [Read&Write](https://www.texthelp.com/products/read-and-write-education/): Texthelp's literacy suite: read-aloud, prediction, dictionary, screen masking.
- [Speechify / Voice Dream Reader](https://speechify.com/): Turns documents and pages into audio, for minds that hold attention by listening.
- [ReCalibri](https://github.com/lukeslp/recalibri): Free extension swapping default fonts for Atkinson Hyperlegible, OpenDyslexic or Lexend.
- [WAVE](https://wave.webaim.org/): WebAIM's extension that draws errors, contrast failures and structure onto the page.
- [axe DevTools](https://www.deque.com/axe/devtools/): Deque's engine in your browser and CI — the de facto standard for automated rule checks.
- [Microsoft Accessibility Insights](https://accessibilityinsights.io/): Free scanner for web and Windows with a guided manual assessment.
- [Google Lighthouse](https://developer.chrome.com/docs/lighthouse/accessibility/scoring): Built into Chrome. Shallow by design, but a baseline gate nobody has to install.
- [Pa11y](https://pa11y.org/): Command line and CI testing — fail the build when someone ships an unlabeled input.
- [BrowserStack Accessibility Testing](https://www.browserstack.com/accessibility-testing): Scans across real browsers and devices at scale, with workflow tracking.
- [AccessibleWeb](https://accessibleweb.com/): Free scanner plus a directory of accessibility consultants when you need a human.
- [Accessibility Checker — ADA & WCAG Scanner](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/kpodpjenpjodkoihfjibmdaoppeicklk): Free Chrome extension, one-click WCAG 2.2 scan that runs entirely in your browser.
- [AccessMonitor](https://accessmonitor.acessibilidade.gov.pt/): Portugal's official government checker, scoring public sites against WCAG.
- [GOV.UK accessibility statement](https://www.gov.uk/help/accessibility-statement): The UK government's own statement — the reference model for writing yours.
- [AMA Web](https://amaweb.unifesp.br/): Brazil's evaluator by Unifesp, IFRS and the Ministério dos Direitos Humanos.
- [NVDA](https://www.nvaccess.org/download/): Free, open-source Windows screen reader — the one most testers start with.
- [JAWS](https://www.freedomscientific.com/products/software/jaws/): Paid Windows screen reader, still the enterprise and government standard.
- [VoiceOver](https://www.apple.com/accessibility/vision/): Built into macOS and iOS — nothing to install before you test.
- [TalkBack](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.marvin.talkback): Android's free screen reader, part of the Android Accessibility Suite.
- [Narrator](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/complete-guide-to-narrator-e4397a0d-ef4f-b386-d8ae-c172f109bdb1): Shipped with Windows — the zero-setup way to hear your interface.
- [Orca](https://wiki.gnome.org/Projects/Orca): Free screen reader for Linux desktops, maintained by the GNOME project.
- [Colour Contrast Analyser](https://www.paciellogroup.com/resources/contrastanalyser/): The Paciello Group's free desktop app — eyedropper contrast checks anywhere.
- [WhoCanUse](https://whocanuse.com/): Shows how a colour pair reads across different vision and situational contexts.
- [W3C WAI — Cognitive Accessibility (COGA)](https://www.w3.org/WAI/cognitive/): Reference guidance on memory, attention, language and executive function.
- [CAST — Universal Design for Learning](https://udlguidelines.cast.org/): Framework for multiple ways to engage, perceive and act — not bolted-on accommodations.

## Institutions

- [World Autism Organisation](https://worldautismorganisation.com/) (Global): International network of autism organisations advocating for rights and representation.
- [Understood.org](https://www.understood.org/) (Global): Plain-language resources on ADHD, dyslexia and learning differences.
- [Neurodiversity Hub](https://www.neurodiversityhub.org/) (Global): Connects neurodivergent students with employers and universities.
- [FPDA](https://www.fpda.pt/) (Portugal): Portugal's national federation of autism associations.
- [Dislex / APDIS](https://www.dislex.co.pt/) (Portugal): Associação Portuguesa de Dislexia — the country's reference body on dyslexia.
- [ABDA](https://tdah.org.br/) (Brazil): Brazil's reference association on ADHD.
- [Abraça](https://abraca.net.br/) (Brazil): Autistic-led Brazilian association working on autistic people's rights.
- [CADDAC](https://caddac.ca/) (Canada): National ADHD advocacy across education, healthcare and workplaces.
- [Autism Alliance of Canada](https://autismalliance.ca/) (Canada): National coalition coordinating autism policy across the provinces.
- [Amaze](https://www.amaze.org.au/) (Australia): Australia's leading autism organisation, autistic-led advocacy.
- [ADHD Australia](https://www.adhdaustralia.org.au/) (Australia): National ADHD body pushing for diagnosis access and workplace support.
- [ADHS Deutschland e.V.](https://adhs-deutschland.de/) (Germany): Germany's national ADHD association — self-help, family support, policy.
- [Autismus Deutschland e.V.](https://www.autismus.de/) (Germany): Federal association of German autism organisations.
- [ADHD Foundation](https://www.adhdfoundation.org.uk/) (United Kingdom): UK neurodiversity charity working across education and employment.
- [National Autistic Society](https://www.autism.org.uk/) (United Kingdom): The UK's largest autism charity, on support, research and campaigning.
- [British Dyslexia Association](https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/) (United Kingdom): UK authority on dyslexia, including workplace and web-friendly style guidance.
- [W3C WAI](https://www.w3.org/WAI/) (Global): Writes WCAG and ARIA — the criteria every accessibility law points back to.
- [COGA Task Force](https://www.w3.org/WAI/GL/task-forces/coga/) (Global): W3C guidance on memory, attention, language and executive function.
- [IAAP](https://www.accessibilityassociation.org/) (Global): Professional association behind the CPACC and WAS certifications.
- [WebAIM](https://webaim.org/) (Global): Practical training, evaluation and the annual WebAIM Million report.
- [CAST](https://www.cast.org/) (Global): Created Universal Design for Learning — multiple routes through content.
- [IDIPD, I.P.](https://idipd.mtsss.gov.pt/) (Portugal): The Portuguese state body for disability policy, digital accessibility included.
- [ABNT](https://www.abnt.org.br/) (Brazil): Brazil's standards body, author of NBR 17225:2025 on digital accessibility.
- [Accessibility Standards Canada](https://accessible.canada.ca/) (Canada): Federal body writing national standards under the Accessible Canada Act.
- [OZeWAI](https://ozewai.org/) (Australia): Australia's web accessibility community, translating WCAG into local practice.
- [BIK BITV-Test](https://bitvtest.de/) (Germany): Germany's official audit procedure against BITV and EN 301 549.
- [Digital Accessibility Centre (DAC)](https://digitalaccessibilitycentre.org/) (United Kingdom): Audits run by real disabled testers, with certification.
- [European Disability Forum](https://www.edf-feph.org/) (European Union): Umbrella body for disabled people in Europe, shaping EU accessibility law.
- [European Accessibility Act](https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/policies/justice-and-fundamental-rights/disability/european-accessibility-act-eaa_en) (European Union): EU law setting accessibility requirements for products and digital services.
- [CNOD](https://www.cnod.pt/) (Portugal): Umbrella confederation for 36 Portuguese disability associations.
- [Decreto-Lei n.º 83/2018](https://www.acessibilidade.gov.pt/blogue/categoria-noticias/dl-n-o-83-2018-acessibilidade-dos-sitios-web-e-das-aplicacoes-moveis/) (Portugal): Portuguese law on accessibility of public websites and mobile apps.
- [Decreto-Lei n.º 82/2022](https://informador.pt/legislacao/diploma/requisitos-de-acessibilidade-de-produtos-e-servicos-tendo-em-conta-pessoas-com-deficiencia) (Portugal): Portugal's transposition of the European Accessibility Act: accessibility duties for products and services, in force since 28 June 2025.
- [CONADE](https://www.gov.br/participamaisbrasil/conade) (Brazil): Brazil's national council monitoring disability rights policy.
- [Lei Brasileira de Inclusão (LBI)](https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/_ato2015-2018/2015/lei/l13146.htm) (Brazil): Lei 13.146/2015 — Brazil's disability rights statute, digital access included.
- [AODA Alliance](https://www.aodaalliance.org/) (Canada): Grassroots coalition pushing enforcement of Ontario's accessibility act.
- [Accessible Canada Act](https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/accessible-canada/act-summary.html) (Canada): Federal law aiming at a barrier-free Canada by 2040, ICT included.
- [Australian Human Rights Commission](https://humanrights.gov.au/) (Australia): Handles Disability Discrimination Act complaints, digital services included.
- [Deutscher Behindertenrat](https://www.deutscher-behindertenrat.de/) (Germany): National alliance of German disability organisations.
- [BITV 2.0](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bitv_2_0/BJNR184300011.html) (Germany): German regulation on barrier-free federal information technology.
- [Disability Rights UK](https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/) (United Kingdom): Disabled-people-led organisation on rights, independent living and legal challenge.
- [AbilityNet](https://abilitynet.org.uk/) (United Kingdom): Charity offering audits, workplace assessments and free tech support.
- [Equality Act 2010](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/contents) (United Kingdom): UK law requiring reasonable adjustments, digital services included.
- [ADA National Network](https://adata.org/) (United States): Federally funded centres supporting ADA implementation.
- [Section 508](https://www.section508.gov/) (United States): US federal standard for accessible government IT, procurement included.

## Books

- [ADHD 2.0](https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/550868/adhd-20-by-edward-m-hallowell-md-and-john-j-ratey-md/) by Edward M. Hallowell & John J. Ratey: Landmark update on ADHD science and strategies for thriving.
- [Driven to Distraction](https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/209384/driven-to-distraction-revised-by-edward-m-hallowell-md-and-john-j-ratey-md/) by Edward M. Hallowell & John J. Ratey: The 1994 book that first framed ADHD as a lifelong condition, not just a childhood one.
- [Scattered Minds](https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/734461/scattered-minds-by-gabor-mate-md/) by Gabor Maté: Traces attention difficulties to early stress and attachment, not only genetics.
- [Taking Charge of Adult ADHD](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8215796-taking-charge-of-adult-adhd) by Russell A. Barkley: Clinical, practical strategies for work, home and relationships from a leading ADHD researcher.
- [Women with Attention Deficit Disorder](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/211483.Women_with_Attention_Deficit_Disorder) by Sari Solden: Why ADHD looks different in women, and why it gets missed.
- [Faster Than Normal](https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/552567/faster-than-normal-by-peter-shankman-foreword-by-edward-hallowell-md/) by Peter Shankman: Reframes the ADHD brain as wiring to work with, not a flaw to fight.
- [NeuroTribes](https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/310415/neurotribes-by-steve-silberman-foreword-by-oliver-sacks/) by Steve Silberman: Landmark history of autism and the neurodiversity movement.
- [The Reason I Jump](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22856127-the-reason-i-jump) by Naoki Higashida: First-person account from a nonspeaking autistic teenager.
- [Unmasking Autism](https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/688819/unmasking-autism-by-devon-price-phd/) by Devon Price: On masking, burnout and late autism diagnosis.
- [Uniquely Human](https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Uniquely-Human-Updated-and-Expanded/Barry-M-Prizant/9781982193898) by Barry Prizant: Reframes autism as a different way of being human, not a deficit.
- [Self-Care for Autistic People](https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Self-Care-for-Autistic-People/Megan-Anna-Neff/Self-Care-for-Autistic-People/9781507221938) by Megan Anna Neff: Practical self-care built for autistic adults.
- [Autism is Not a Disease](https://www.versobooks.com/products/3059-autism-is-not-a-disease) by Jodie Hare: The politics behind the neurodiversity movement.
- [The Pattern Seekers](https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/289738/the-pattern-seekers-by-baron-cohen-simon/9780141982397) by Simon Baron-Cohen: How autistic pattern-thinking drives human invention.
- [Gaia: Um Guia de Recomendações Sobre Design Digital Inclusivo para Pessoas com Autismo](https://www.amazon.com/-/pt/dp/B08BPGVS87) by Talita Pagani: Portuguese-language guide to autism-inclusive digital design.
- [The Dyslexic Advantage](https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/713579/the-dyslexic-advantage-revised-and-updated-by-brock-eide-md-ma-and-fernette-eide-md/) by Brock L. Eide & Fernette F. Eide: Reframes dyslexia around cognitive strengths.
- [The Gift of Dyslexia](https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/337456/the-gift-of-dyslexia-revised-and-expanded-by-ronald-d-davis/) by Ronald D. Davis & Eldon M. Braun: A classic on the dyslexic mind's strengths and challenges.
- [The Pocket Guide to Neurodiversity](https://us.jkp.com/products/the-pocket-guide-to-neurodiversity) by Daniel Aherne & Tim Stringer: Illustrated, accessible primer.
- [The Power of Neurodiversity](https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/thomas-armstrong-phd/the-power-of-neurodiversity/9780306836367/) by Thomas Armstrong: The strengths-based case for neurodiversity.
- [Neurodiversity For Dummies](https://www.wiley.com/en-us/Neurodiversity+For+Dummies-p-9781394216178) by John Marble, Khushboo Chabria & Ranga Jayaraman: Practical, plain-language overview.
- [A Hidden Force](https://fastcompanypress.com/authors/a-hidden-force) by Ed Thompson: Unlocking neurodivergent potential at work.
- [Neurodiversity at Work](https://www.koganpage.com/hr-learning-development/neurodiversity-at-work-9781398600249) by Theo Smith & Amanda Kirby: Driving innovation and performance with a neurodiverse workforce.
- [Disability Visibility](https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/617802/disability-visibility-by-alice-wong/) by Alice Wong: Anthology of first-person essays by disabled people.

## Optional

- [Podcast on Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/5L6nBVJEGlwsksxpXKoCon)
- [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/uxmessy/)