Award-winning design strategy for Community Integrated Services helps young adults with disAbilities

Pro bono redesign and brand refresh for CIS delivered measurable lifts and a dotCOMM Gold.

Project snapshot

  • Client: Community Integrated Services (CIS)
  • Year: 2019

Services

The Background

Community Integrated Services (CIS) empowers individuals with disAbilities by providing employment opportunities and fostering independence and inclusion. CIS partners with local Philadelphia businesses and organizations to help beneficiaries reach employment goals.

The Problem

CIS’s old website did not provide a clear user experience and was difficult to update. Information architecture and accessibility were lacking, and the site was not secure—especially problematic for a primary audience of disabled adults entering the workforce.

Our Solutions

We delivered a complete redesign and brand refresh focused on clarity, accessibility, and empowerment:

Brand & Identity Refresh:

  • Developed visual identity reflecting CIS's commitment to empowerment, dignity, and inclusion
  • Created messaging that celebrates employment success and career advancement
  • Designed brand guidelines for consistent communication across web and print

Website Redesign & Accessibility:

  • Restructured information architecture to be clear and easy to navigate for diverse audiences
  • Implemented WCAG accessibility standards with focus on readability (large text, high contrast, clear navigation)
  • Redesigned to showcase employment outcomes and success stories
  • Created clear pathways for job seekers, employers, and referral partners

Technical Implementation:

  • Migrated from legacy platform to modern WordPress, enabling staff to easily update content
  • Implemented secure authentication for sensitive program information
  • Installed custom analytics dashboard enabling team to track program outcomes, user behavior, and traffic sources
  • Optimized for mobile access—key for young adults on smartphones

SEO & Discoverability:

  • Optimized content for search terms employers use when seeking workforce partners
  • Implemented local SEO to ensure visibility in Philadelphia region

The Results

The redesign delivered measurable impact across user engagement and organizational visibility:

  • 17% increase in session time—users spend more time exploring programs and opportunities
  • 38% increase in overall sessions—stronger reach to job seekers and employer partners
  • 212% lift in social media traffic—improved discoverability and community engagement
  • Improved conversion on employment goal tracking—better outcomes measurement for programs
  • Increased employer inquiries from nonprofits and businesses seeking workforce partners

Recognition & Impact:

  • dotCOMM Gold award for web creativity and user-centered design
  • Pro bono impact—granted through Coding for Causes program supporting nonprofits
  • Three-year partnership—continued design and analytics supported continuous improvement

Results

+38%

Overall traffic lift

+17%

Session time lift

+212%

Social traffic lift

Awards & Recognition

dotCOMM Awards

Web Creativity · Gold