A UX Approach to Neurodivergent Accessibility on Netflix
OVERVIEW
Netflix’s massive library, with over 17,000 titles and 282 million users, can be overwhelming for neurodivergent users — especially those with ADHD, like my persona Elena. Many face decision fatigue and sensory overload when trying to choose something to watch.
I designed a Mood-Based Tag System to help users filter content by emotional tone. By making discovery calmer, faster, and more intuitive, the system aims to ease cognitive load and provide a more supportive experience.
THE CHALLENGE
Elena’s core challenge was navigating too many choices without clear emotional guidance. Genres alone didn’t reflect how she felt in the moment, leading to frustration and decision paralysis. The opportunity was to reframe content discovery around mood and sensory needs, not just traditional categories.
MY APPROACH
Through secondary research, I explored ADHD user needs and accessibility guidelines. I also benchmarked mood-based discovery models like Spotify’s playlist filters and analysed Netflix’s existing design system to ensure consistency.
I developed Elena as a persona to focus the project — someone who needs quicker, mood-aligned discovery that reduces overstimulation. From there, I designed three key features: a Neurodiverse-Friendly Mode in settings; Mood Tags like Happy, Comforting, Light embedded in content details and search; and a dedicated Mood Discovery Page that allows users to browse shows and movies based on how they want to feel.
THE OUTCOME
The result is a seamless, accessible system that empowers neurodivergent users to discover content by mood. It reduces cognitive overload and makes Netflix feel calmer, more intuitive, and more supportive for users like Elena.
