Neurological UX has been out for just over a year but only came to my attention a month ago when its author, Gareth Slinn, posted about it on LinkedIn.
This is, in my opinion, quite a revolutionary book on two fronts.
First, it offers the best breakdown and analysis of the major forms of neurological differences I’ve come across.
Second, it focuses on web user experience in relation to visual and interaction design. It’s not a book for developers but for designers (although content authors would benefit greatly and it would definitely enhance developers’ understanding, too).
Even professional accessibility experts get confused about the differences between the nature, manifestations, and cognitive impacts of:
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Dyslexia
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Anxiety Disorders
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Memory Impairments
- Obessive Compulisve Disorder (OCD)
And these are just the best known conditions based on different neurology.
Gareth Slinn starts his book with clear, detailed explanations of each of these neurological dispositions so we can understand what they are, the challenges that websites might present for people living with them, and practical design recommendations that might make web UX easier.
Once we have this understanding, including what cognitive load is and why neurological accessibility requires specific approaches, Slinn goes into detail about different aspects of web content and design and the effect they have on people with neurological differences, including:
- Forms
- Text Presentation
- Scrolling
- Colour
- Tone
- Navigation
- Error Management
- User Help
These are the design areas that often present the greatest barriers for people with neurological differences, and Slinn works through them methodically and pragmatically. There’s nothing here that presents great challenges for a reasonably aware UX designer, in fact I found myself constantly saying, “Yeah, that makes sense”.
Almost inevitably, each of the solutions and techniques to enhance accessibility also enhances UX for all users.
Slinn then goes into detailed sections on designing to enhance web UX for people with specific neurological differences, consolidating understanding and providing approaches that remove barriers.
Then follows several sections that focus on barriers common to people with a need for reduced cognitive load, including:
- Time Limits
- Predictable Layouts
- Reducing Distractions
- Stress Removal
- Harmony
Video and Audio content gets its own section, with attention to the many barriers it can present, and the benefits of removing them.
Slinn wraps up with some thoughts on handling Calls to Action, State Tracking, and some final thoughts encouraging designers to engage with the concepts and broaden their perspectives to include neurological accessibility needs as part of a wholistic approach to inclusive design.
This is not a book riddled with technical jargon or dealing with esoteric concepts – it’s about as down to earth as any book I’ve read on accessibility and inclusive design, and is predicated on enhancing shared experience rather than focusing on difference.
For any working – or aspiring – web designer, Neurological UX is a must have.