Trauma-Informed Education Manual: Accessible & Soothing

Sole graphic designer to ensure information was accessible, and design would contrast the heavy nature of subject matter.

  • Mockup of Trauma Informed Educational Manual physical booklet.
  • Trauma Education Manual excerpt, pages 11-12
  • Trauma Education Manual excerpt, pages 23-24
  • Trauma Education Manual excerpt, pages 37-38
  • Trauma Education Manual excerpt, pages 41-42
The Full Manual is Available to Download on ECampus

Designing for the Digital and Physical

The graphics may seem inaccessible, but function to be written on in cases where users prefer a physical copy. The designs had alt-text to remain accessible digitally, and enable users to interact with the material more meaningfully when printed out.

Trauma Education Manual excerpt, Reflective Practice exercise foocused on Trauma-Informed Educator Skills

Nature Motifs Contrasted the Heavy Subject Matter

Font: Atkinson Hyperlegible, accessibility in its design, aptly named.

Columns: Improved scannability, increased white-space, and reduced user fatigue.

Avoided: Italics (except in cases of references) and bolded text (used sparingly for titles or key concepts).

Outcomes

  • Interactive PDF that adheres to digital accessibility regulations (WCAG 2.0, AODA)
  • Downloaded over 2600 times while on Sheridan Source
  • Presented key-findings to designers at IXDYES 2023 with lead researcher Nicole Johnson
  • Developed in accessible software (Canva, Microsoft Word) with documentation for handoff to future research assistants

Natalia Parraga

Humanist Design

Fuelled by a curiousity of systems, appreciation of data, and love of people.

Natalia B. Parraga

WordPress 2026

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