Award winning accessibility

Royal NZ Foundation of the Blind

Website + Digital Channel Optimisation

The Challenge

The Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind (RNZFB) is non-profit organisation that provides support and empowerment to its members and the sight-impaired throughout the country. DNA worked with RNZFB to redevelop their legacy site to achieve strategic, business, community and member driven objectives. The underlying principle of the project was for the foundation to be recognised as “an exemplar organisation in blindness expertise” and as such, each and every part of the design and build needed to uphold this principle.

The Solution

User experience and key stakeholder research and insight guided the approach we took to the site functionality and design. Getting to truly understand the needs and motivations of audiences from Foundation members and donors was vital in defining just what the site experience needed to be for those users. The site was launched in August 2010 delivering a brand aligned, WCAG, double A-standard platform that allows the Foundation to become commercially savvy and accountable in the digital area by getting more in touch with their members and advocating an online community. The interface and architecture of the new site will also enable RNZFB to increase donations, foster stakeholder engagement, educate about accessibility and equity, and showcase best-practice accessible web design. The technical platform also allows them to have complete freedom and control of their content and services.

The Result

Ultimately, DNA have designed and delivered RNZFB a user-centric website which will allow the Foundation to have a fundamentally better relationship with its members, contributors and supporters. The site won a 2011 Onya award in the Best Accessibility category.