Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians: ADA-Compliant Website and Member Portal Development

Website Redesign Project & Client Details

Capitol Tech Solutions (CTS) partnered with the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians to develop a modern, ADA-compliant website that strengthens the Tribe’s online presence and improves access to resources for their members. This project included a 30-page public-facing website, designed to serve a wide audience, and a secure 13-page private member portal tailored specifically to meet the needs of Tribal Members. The new website provides a streamlined, user-friendly experience and offers Tribal Members a dedicated space to access valuable resources and information with ease.

The Paskenta Band’s primary audience includes both Tribal Members and the general public. Therefore, a dual approach was taken to ensure that the public website provides engaging information for all visitors, while the member portal is specifically organized to address the needs of Tribal Members. From the initial stages, CTS engaged in regular discussions with stakeholders, incorporating feedback and tailoring the user experience to meet the Tribe’s unique objectives.

Scope of Work

CTS managed the development process end-to-end, working alongside Hill & Knowlton, who led content creation and design. Our development efforts focused on building a website infrastructure that could easily scale, secure private member areas, and ensure ADA compliance. The project included the integration of MemberPress and HubSpot to create an engaging, interactive, and compliant digital environment for the Tribe.

One of the essential components of the project was the implementation of MemberPress, a powerful membership management plugin for WordPress. MemberPress was configured to support secure access to a private member portal, where Tribal Members can log in to view exclusive resources, announcements, and updates tailored to their needs. This tool allows the Tribe to efficiently manage memberships, permissions, and access, providing Tribal Members with a seamless, secure user experience.

In addition to MemberPress, HubSpot was integrated into the website, enabling streamlined communication and enhanced engagement with Tribal Members. Through HubSpot, the Tribe can easily share updates, resources, and important announcements with members, while also capturing valuable insights into member interactions. This integration supports the Tribe’s commitment to maintaining strong, consistent communication with its members and the larger community.

Another priority for CTS was ensuring that the website met ADA WCAG 2.1 AA compliance standards, making it fully accessible for users with disabilities. Accessibility is a core aspect of our development process, as it ensures that all users, regardless of ability, can interact with the website effectively. Throughout each phase, our team conducted rigorous testing to verify that the site complied with ADA standards, creating a welcoming and inclusive experience for everyone.

Process

CTS employed a structured, phase-based approach to development: initiation, planning, development, User Acceptance Testing (UAT), and launch. Each phase involved thorough communication and coordination to keep stakeholders aligned and ensure the project progressed smoothly.

1. Initiation: During this phase, we worked with the Tribe and Hill and Knowlton to outline project objectives, identify core features, and establish a timeline. This foundational phase ensured that everyone involved had a clear understanding of the project’s goals and requirements. By setting clear expectations from the outset, we were able to create a roadmap that guided each subsequent phase of the project.
2. Planning: Our project manager created a comprehensive project plan, which included resource allocation, task assignments, and a detailed communication schedule. The plan also addressed stakeholder engagement, ensuring that the Tribe’s project team, government stakeholders, and Hill & Knowlton remained informed at every step. The project manager conducted regular check-ins with all parties, utilizing both in-person and virtual meetings to provide status updates and gather feedback. This consistent communication allowed us to remain agile and responsive to any evolving needs or adjustments in the project’s scope.
3. Development: In the development phase, CTS’s technical team built the website’s infrastructure, integrated MemberPress and HubSpot, and implemented custom features to enhance user experience. Our developers worked diligently to create a secure, responsive platform that could support both the public website and the private member portal. Additionally, we ensured that all pages and functionalities aligned with ADA standards. The site’s development emphasized scalability and security, ensuring that the platform could grow with the Tribe’s needs over time.
4. User Acceptance Testing (UAT): The UAT phase involved rigorous testing of the website to ensure all features functioned as intended and met the Tribe’s expectations. This included testing MemberPress functionalities, HubSpot integrations, and accessibility features. We conducted UAT sessions with stakeholders, gathering feedback and making any necessary adjustments. Each element of the site was tested to ensure it was accessible, intuitive, and fully operational.
5. Launch: Following successful testing, the website was launched. This marked the culmination of months of careful planning, collaboration, and development. CTS provided training sessions for Tribal members and administrative staff, empowering them to confidently manage the site’s day-to-day operations. Additionally, we ensured a seamless transition by coordinating with our Maintenance & Optimization team, who will continue to support the website with updates and enhancements as needed.