The Idaho Board of Scaling Practices (IBSP) website was redesigned to improve accessibility, modernize the user experience, and align with the State of Idaho’s v4 design standards. The site supports professionals and the public in accessing licensure information, submitting applications, and navigating regulations.
This project prioritized delivering a highly accessible, user-friendly experience that meets WCAG 2.1 AA standards while improving clarity and ease of use across the site.
The Challenge
The legacy website, built on the v3 theme, presented several limitations:
- Outdated visual design and inconsistent user experience
- Accessibility gaps impacting users with assistive technologies
- Navigation that made key tasks difficult to locate and complete
- Content structure that lacked clarity and hierarchy
Given the site’s role in supporting licensure and compliance, these issues created friction for users attempting to complete essential tasks
The Approach
Accessibility was embedded from the start of the redesign process. Key improvements included:
- Aligning all templates and components with WCAG 2.1 AA standards
- Enhancing color contrast and typography for readability
- Implementing semantic HTML and proper heading structures
- Supporting keyboard navigation and screen reader compatibility
The transition from v3 to v4 enabled:
- A more modern, cohesive visual design
- Improved performance and responsiveness across devices
- Consistent use of scalable, reusable components
The experience was streamlined to better support user needs:
- Simplified navigation focused on primary tasks
- Reorganized content for clarity and scannability
- Updated iconography and visual elements
- Clearer calls-to-action for actions like applying, renewing, and accessing resources
The Solution
The redesigned IBSP website delivers a clean, modern, and accessible experience that helps users quickly find information and complete tasks with confidence.
Key improvements include:
- Intuitive navigation and clearer user pathways
- Improved content hierarchy and readability
- Consistent design patterns aligned with state standards
- A more inclusive experience for all users
The redesign delivered measurable improvements in accessibility and overall experience:
- Accessibility Score: Increased from 95% to 97.5% in SiteImprove
- WCAG 2.1 AA Compliance: Achieved across the site
- Enhanced Usability: Streamlined navigation and improved task clarity
- Modernized Design: Updated UI aligned with Idaho’s v4 system
The increase in SiteImprove score reflects a meaningful reduction in accessibility issues and a stronger commitment to inclusive design.
Key Takeaways
Prioritized Accessibility
Lead to measurable, meaningful improvements.
Modern Design System
Enabled consistency, scalability, and better UX.
Clear Organization
Clear content structure directly improved task completion and user confidence.