Case Study

My primary objective when taking on this work was to remediate sitewide accessibility concerns to align them with WCAG 2.1 standards.

Butte’s gear rental website served a wide audience but wasn’t meeting modern usability or accessibility standards. Forms lacked semantic structure, mobile layout was inconsistent, and key site functions weren’t accessible via keyboard or screen readers. Multiple pages needed a thoughtful rebuild to ensure smoother access and clearer interaction across all devices and input methods.

I tackled the site’s accessibility and responsive gaps by auditing the codebase so I could improve the front-end user experience:

• Semantic HTML: Reworked form markup using correct input types and labels to improve assistive tech support.
• ARIA & Alt Attributes: Applied ARIA roles and descriptive alt text where needed to enhance clarity for screen readers.
• Focus Management: Ensured that navigation and form elements supported clear, visible keyboard focus.
• Responsive Layout Fixes: Refined layout and spacing for consistent appearance and usability across device sizes.
• Contrast Optimization: Offered consultation and CSS updates to improve text and background contrast for better visibility.

• Better Mobile Experience: Improved layout responsiveness and reduced user frustration on smaller screens.
• Accessibility Wins: Site elements are now operable via keyboard and compatible with common screen readers.
• Improved Conversion Readiness: More accessible forms and cleaner navigation help reduce drop-offs in the rental flow.
• Inclusive Design Foundation: The site now serves a broader audience with confidence and ease.

• Accessible forms and focusable UI help eliminate barriers for everyone, regardless of accessibility needs.
• Mobile optimization isn’t just about shrinking elements, but rather it’s about rethinking layout, flow, and how touchscreens will change the way visitors interact with an application.
• Contrast and semantic markup play a critical role in usability and compliance.
• Inclusive design creates a better, humane experience for everyone. The web should be for everyone.