This is a short introduction to trauma-informed website design. The talk was given at the Triangle UXPA in Spring 2021. Learn the basic principles of trauma-informed care, and the overlap with UX principles.

1. Trauma-Informed Design
Melissa Eggleston
melissa@birdcallux.com

2. Talking about trauma is
triggering sometimes.

5. “A good website is like
a good conversation.

6. What is Trauma?

7. What is Trauma?
An emotional response to a terrible event...
- adapted from the
American Psychological Association

8. The Tricky Thing about Trauma

9. Source: CDC, Credit: Robert
Wood Johnson Foundation
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

10. Community Level ACES
Source: The Philadelphia ACE Project

11. Source: CDC, https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/aces/resources.html

12. Source: CDC, https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/aces/resources.html

13. Long-Lasting Effects
The emotional experience of psychological trauma
can have long-term cognitive effects.
The hallmark symptoms of PTSD involve alterations
to cognitive processes such as memory, attention,
planning, and problem solving.
Source: National Institutes of Health
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3466464/

14. What is “Trauma-informed”?

15. What is “Trauma-informed”?
Recognizing that people often have many
different types of trauma in their lives.
Adapted from The Trauma-Informed Project
http://www.traumainformedcareproject.org/

16. What is “Trauma-informed”?
Recognizing that people often have many
different types of trauma in their lives.
Being careful in interactions as people are
often re-traumatized by well-meaning
caregivers and community service providers.
Adapted from The Trauma-Informed Project
http://www.traumainformedcareproject.org/

17. SAMSHA Principles
1. Safety
2. Trustworthiness and Transparency
3. Peer Support
4. Collaboration and Mutuality
5. Empowerment, Voice and Choice
6. Cultural, Historical, and Gender Issues
Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration (SAMHSA)

18. How can we apply these
principles to design work
and practice?

19. SAMSHA Principles Overlap with UX Principles
1. Safety
2. Trustworthiness and Transparency
3. Peer Support
4. Collaboration and Mutuality
5. Empowerment, Voice and Choice
6. Cultural, Historical, and Gender Issues
Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration (SAMHSA)

20. Takeaway #1
Reduce cognitive load

21. Takeaway #2
Plan for mobile

22. Takeaway #3
One trauma-informed person can make a difference

23. Want to Learn More?
Join us for our trauma-informed design monthly calls.
Email me to be added to the Google group list.
melissa@birdcallux.com
List of resources on the Birdcall blog
https://www.birdcallux.com/blog/resources-for-trauma-in
formed-ux-design-talk