City of San Diego Transparent Logo
San Diego Patent and Trademark Resource Center Logo.

INTRODUCTION

In Spring of 2024, I completed a Web Accessibility class (INFO 251) and my semester-long project was working with Sarah Hendy-Jackson at the San Diego Public Library Patent and Trademark Resource Center.

Our shared goal was to complete a series of tests to see if the site could be improved, and while I was only required to complete a proposal, I completed an entire website re-design.

A screenshot of the front page for sandiegoptrc.com.
The front page for San Diego PTRC as of May 2024.

METHODOLOGY

I used previous ideas, techniques, and plugins from previous websites, such as UXSG and Solaris Regional Library.

Feedback from classmates included praise for the One Click Accessibility plugin, which is present on every website created (this site being no exception).

After completing this project, I have a much better idea of how to organize information in the most updated version of WordPress.

A screenshot of the Web Usability Project Proposal page for sandiegoptrc.com.
A preview of the project proposal page.

WEBSITE OVERHAUL

Having learned from the UXSG website that Ashe is not the most accessible or disability-friendly theme out there, I decided to stick with some of the WordPress classics, in this case, Twenty Twenty Four.

I assumed that it would be the most modern and up-to-date on baked-in accessibility features.

My main goal was to ensure that there was more white space and less variety of color on this particular site; the original felt much too crowded for my taste.

A screenshot of the Trademarks page for sandiegoptrc.com.
The Trademarks page displays a consistent theme to the other pages that are content-heavy.

VISION & INSPIRATION

I relied heavily on the City of San Diego style guide for this project. It has a lot of valuable ideas and concepts within it, as well as easy access to color scheme hex codes and typography rules, which I implemented throughout the site.

ACCESSIBILITY

I used previous techniques and best practices based on the WAVE tool and other resources, such as WCAG guidelines.

I also pulled up a lot of information to share with Sarah from the research project I completed in INFO 200 regarding Web Accessibility for the Blind and Visually Impaired (BVI) community.

I am continuing to share more information with the San Diego Public Library system, as they seem interested in implementing some of the ideas that have been outlined in this proposal and corresponding web page.

I have designed this site to be mobile-friendly, as those with visual impairments often choose mobile devices for their baked-in screen readers and other accessibility features.

A screenshot of the About the Center page for sandiegoptrc.com.
While the “About the Center” page doesn’t contain much content, I felt it needed to be showcased as its own page.

WEBSITE LOCATION

While the original site is located on the SanDiego.gov website, I decided to use my own web domain in order to create this proposal.

I am keeping it live indefinitely, for as long as it is needed or required, in order for San Diego Public Library to examine its contents and decide how to proceed.

The current live site is located at:
sandiegoptrc.com

A screenshot of the Copyright page for sandiegoptrc.com.
The copyright page, which has been broken down into easier-to-digest pieces as opposed to one large block of text.

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