ADA Compliant Web Design for Colorado State University
CSU sought a specialized digital partner with proven expertise in both higher education and complex custom development. They needed a team that could not only build a new website but could architect a strategic, scalable, and fully accessible digital solution. They chose FIREANT STUDIO to lead this comprehensive digital transformation. The result is a powerful, user-centric web platform that empowers the PTS team, serves the entire CSU community with clarity and efficiency, and sets a new standard for departmental websites at the university.
Colorado State University (CSU) is a premier public research university, a cornerstone of the Colorado educational system, and a community of over 33,000 students, faculty, and staff. Within this bustling ecosystem, Parking and Transportation Services (PTS) is not merely an administrative department; it is a critical operational hub that manages the daily flow of the entire campus community. From daily commutes and event parking to bus schedules and micro-mobility options, PTS is an essential service that impacts every person who sets foot on the Fort Collins campus.
The Challenge
Breaking Free from a Digital Straitjacket – The core challenge facing CSU PTS was profound: their digital presence was trapped within a restrictive, heavily templated university-wide multisite CMS. This “one-size-fits-all” system created a digital straitjacket, severely hampering the department’s ability to communicate effectively with its diverse audiences. This overarching problem manifested in three critical business challenges; Lack of Content Control, Critical Accessibility Gap – the site was not compliant with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), placing it in direct violation of both university policy and Colorado’s HB21-1110 legislation and brand misalignment – the rigid templates did not reflect CSU’s recent and comprehensive brand refresh.
The FIREANT Approach:
Our strategic approach was rooted in a deep-dive discovery process, moving beyond a simple redesign to fundamentally re-architect the entire digital experience for Colorado State University. We began by overhauling the site’s information architecture to create intuitive, streamlined user journeys for students and faculty. To empower the client, we developed a flexible, modular content system that gave the PTS team full control over their messaging, including an efficient alert system for urgent communications. Underpinning this entire user-centric strategy was a commitment to long-term value; we built the solution on a scalable platform to ensure it would not only meet immediate needs but also serve as a durable, adaptable asset for future growth.
FIREANT’s Solution
FIREANT STUDIO engineered a comprehensive digital solution built on three pillars: custom website development, ironclad accessibility, and strategic technical integration. At its core is custom WordPress platform that liberated the CSU PTS team from their restrictive CMS, granting them complete content autonomy through an intuitive, flexible backend. This new site meticulously translates CSU’s updated brand standards into a vibrant, modern digital experience.
Crucially, the entire platform was architected for full WCAG 2.1 AA compliance, meeting the strict legal requirements of Colorado’s HB21-1110 and ensuring equitable access for all users. To deliver tangible daily value, we integrated a third-party API to provide real-time parking availability data, transforming the website from a static information portal into an indispensable utility for the campus community. This multi-faceted solution provided CSU with a powerful, compliant, and user-centric digital hub.
Real-Time Parking Data Integration via 3rd Party APIs
To provide immediate, actionable value to users, we integrated the site with a third-party API that delivers real-time parking availability data. We designed and developed a custom module that elegantly displays the number of available spots in major campus parking garages, updated dynamically. This feature transforms the website from a static information source into an essential daily utility for commuters, drastically reducing frustration and time spent searching for parking. It’s a prime example of how thoughtful technical integration can directly enhance the user’s real-world experience.
Unyielding Commitment to Accessibility (WCAG 2.1 AA) via Custom Web Design & Development
Recognizing the legal and ethical imperative, we engineered an ada compliant web design to be fully WCAG 2.1 AA compliant, aligning with both the State of Colorado’s HB21-1110 mandate and CSU’s own stringent standards. This was not an afterthought but a core principle of our development process. Every component was designed and coded for full keyboard navigability, screen reader compatibility, sufficient color contrast, and semantic HTML structure. This commitment ensures that all users, regardless of ability, have equal access to the critical information PTS provides, mitigating legal risk and fostering an inclusive digital campus.
Custom Accessible Web Development in Denver, CO
At the heart of our solution is a custom ada compliant, responsive website built on the WordPress platform. We chose WordPress for its powerful combination of user-friendly content management and limitless customization potential. We moved PTS from a shared, restrictive environment to their own standalone instance, giving them complete autonomy. The custom theme was built from scratch, meticulously translating the university’s updated brand standards into a vibrant, modern, and engaging digital experience. The back-end was just as important; we developed a truly intuitive content editing experience using flexible modules and custom post types, allowing the PTS team to manage everything from alerts and news to complex permit information with ease.
The Impact
FIREANT STUDIO engineered a comprehensive digital solution built on three pillars: custom development, ironclad accessibility, and strategic technical integration. At its core is a custom WordPress platform that liberated the CSU PTS team from their restrictive CMS, granting them complete content autonomy through an intuitive, flexible backend. This new site meticulously translates CSU’s updated brand standards into a vibrant, modern digital experience.
TLDR
Crucially, the entire platform was architected for full WCAG 2.1 AA compliance, a website design that meeting the strict legal requirements of Colorado’s HB21-1110 and ensuring equitable access for all users. To deliver tangible daily value, we integrated a third-party API to provide real-time parking availability data, transforming the website from a static information portal into an indispensable utility for the campus community. This multi-faceted solution provided CSU with a powerful, compliant, and user-centric digital hub.
