Ethical UX Health Check
For NGOs, Universities, and Values-Driven Organisations. The CARE Audit reveals where your digital product might burden users, erode trust, or waste potential – and shows you how to change it.
What is the CARE Audit?
The CARE Audit is a structured UX health check from a psychological and ethical perspective. In it, we analyse your key screens or user journeys across four dimensions:
Cognitive · Accessible · Responsible · Ethical – in short: CARE
You'll receive a report with concrete, prioritised recommendations – understandable, actionable, and without buzzwords.
Who is the CARE Audit for?
The CARE Audit is designed for organisations that want to take responsibility – not just functionally, but societally:
- NGOs & Social Initiatives
- Universities & Educational Institutions
- Political Organisations
- Values-Driven Companies (ESG, purpose-driven)
- Social Impact Startups
The Four CARE Dimensions
Cognitive – Are we overwhelming people?
In the Cognitive Audit , we examine whether your interface unnecessarily burdens cognitive resources or makes orientation difficult. Some aspects we analyse:
- Information density and visual prioritisation
- Number and structure of options
- Complexity of decision paths
- Where do overwhelm, disorientation, and frustration arise due to cognitive overload?
Basis: Established models from cognitive psychology on working memory capacity and decision complexity
Goal: An interface that provides orientation instead of overwhelming your users, thus creating the foundation for fair, understandable, and trustworthy user experiences.
Accessible – Are we excluding people?
In the Accessibile Audit (UX-focused baseline check), we examine whether your interface contains fundamental barriers that prevent people from using it or make it unnecessarily difficult. Depending on the chosen package we analyse:
- 2–3 accessibility topics (e.g., contrasts, hierarchies) from a UX perspective.
- You can select topics that are most important to you. We're happy to advise you on this.
Basis: Our basis are at minimum the currently legally binding WCAG standards in Europe (2.1, AA), as well as the four accessibility principles.
Important: This is not a complete WCAG audit. Code check, screen reader or keyboard test are not included. The focus is deliberately on UX-relevant barriers that can realistically be addressed within the given timeframe.
Goal: An interface that is usable for as many people as possible, regardless of their abilities or the situation they're in (e.g., on the go, loud subway, bright sunlight).
Responsible – Are we manipulating people?
In the Responsible Audit , we investigate whether your interface steers users, puts them under pressure, or moves them to make decisions that are not in their best interest. We examine, among other things:
- Ethically problematic patterns (e.g., clarity, freedom of choice, nudging, etc.)
- Problematic defaults and decision architectures
- DSA-relevant mechanics
- Critical points where users are particularly vulnerable to being "pushed" in a certain direction
Basis: Established research on manipulative interface patterns, as well as psychological insights on attention
Goal: Make manipulative or problematic patterns visible – regardless of whether they arose consciously or unintentionally.
Ethical – Are we treating people fairly?
In the Ethical Audit , we look at the normative level of your product: trust, fairness, and autonomy. Some aspects we analyse:
- Indications of bias, exclusion, or one-sided assumptions
- Alignment with ethical research and design principles
- How you measure UX
Basis: Established frameworks and methods from UX research and practice
Goal: Answer whether your interface is not only compliant but also fair, respectful, and trustworthy.
Compare CARE Package & Services
All CARE packages include an audit of all CARE dimensions (Cognitive, Accessible, Responsible, Ethical), a structured CARE report (PDF) with scientific backing, prioritised recommendations for quick wins, and strategic recommendations.
Essentials
4.900 € (excl. VAT)
Duration: 5 days
For small teams and first quick wins
Kick-Off & Discovery
60 Min.
Audit Scope
max. 8 screens (1 process)
1 (Desktop or Mobile)
Cognitive Audit
✓
Accessibile Audit
1 Topic
Responsible Audit
✓
Ethical Audit
✓
CARE Report incl. Prioritised Recommendations (PDF)
✓
Results Workshop
–
Follow-up Call
–
Impact
6.900 € (excl. VAT)
Duration: 2 weeks
The sweet spot for NGOs, universities, and growing organisations.
90 Min.
Audit Scope
max. 12 screens total (1-2 processes)
2 (Desktop, Mobile, or Tablet)
Cognitive Audit
✓
Accessibile Audit
2 Topics
Responsible Audit
✓
Ethical Audit
✓
CARE Report incl. Prioritised Recommendations (PDF)
✓
Results Workshop
60 Min.
Follow-up Call
–
Deep Dive
9.500 € (excl. VAT)
Duration: 4–6 weeks
Impact startups and organisations with higher complexity.
90 Min.
Audit Scope
max. 16 screens total (1-2 processes)
2 (Desktop, Mobile, or Tablet)
Cognitive Audit
✓
Accessibile Audit
3 Topics
Responsible Audit
✓
Ethical Audit
✓
CARE Report incl. Prioritised Recommendations (PDF)
✓
Results Workshop
90 Min.
Follow-up Call
✓
How the CARE Audit Works
Non-binding initial call (15–30 minutes)
This is about getting to know each other, understanding your requirements, and clarifying any open questions. Only then do you decide whether you want to book one of the packages.
Kick-off & Discovery (60–90 minutes)
Joint prioritisation of your usage areas (processes or screen contexts).
Heuristic Analysis (3–6 weeks)
We conduct a systematic analysis across the four CARE dimensions.
Report & Handover
You receive the findings with prioritised, concrete recommendations in a PDF. Depending on the package, a results workshop and follow-up call are included.