Autism Plus
Autism Plus is a national charity that provides life-changing support for people with autism, learning disabilities and complex needs. Founded in 1986 and based in Sheffield, the charity’s focus is to empower neurodivergent individuals to live happier, more independent lives by providing positive, long-term impacts through early interventions and person-centred support.
The Brief
The client needed a new website specifically to promote the work they do in supporting neurodivergent individuals into work. Autism Plus came to us with an excellent, well-defined brief and clear aims for the site. The primary aim was accessibility, with a requirement for an intuitive user experience and simple, efficient navigation. The secondary aim was to provide resources for two distinct audiences – those with neurodivergent conditions looking for work advice, support and information, and for employers with neurodivergent employees.
The Website
Focusing on user accessibility and ease of navigation, the new site was designed using Autism Plus’s brand guidelines to sit alongside their existing website. The new site is structured to enable users to easily identify relevant information and move seamlessly between sections. The site features a split navigation, allowing the user to drop down to key areas quickly and easily.
Advanced accessibility features were built in using third-party software from ReachDeck. This software assists people who are neurodivergent, or have other accessibility issues, to be able to make the most of online content. ReachDeck, partnering with Text Help, delivers a solution that reduces barriers between digital content and diverse audiences.
We developed an intelligent filtering system with weights assigned to different types of content for the resources section. The intuitive filter delivers an expansive directory of materials quickly and efficiently, depending on the user, their circumstances and the information they are seeking.
The site features a mix of real photography and Autism Plus’s custom illustrations, keeping the site friendly and recognisable for users of the main site. Following the style and colour guide for the main visuals, we introduced one new colour to provide a clearly defined call to action for visitors to donate. This colour was replicated across the site so users would come to recognise the specific function of the button.
Throughout the development, we collaborated closely with Autism Plus. Being fully engaged throughout the scoping, design and development phases, they involved and consulted with neurodivergent members of their team to provide exceptional feedback which was incorporated into the build.
The Result
The clear brief and collaborative approach with Autism Plus enabled us to create an intuitive website that’s accessible in every sense of the word. The clear navigation, with accessibility as the primary technical feature, enables users to find the right resources and support they require. Whether users are neurodivergent individuals or employers wanting to support their team members, the website filters information specific to the individual.
The feedback from external stakeholders interested in neurodiversity – such as councils, employers and schools – has been incredibly positive with regard to the resources section of the website. Subsequently these organisations have pointed their customers and clients to these resources for help, which has been a further, unexpected but welcome, success for the project.
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