Community Safe

Case Study: CommunitySafe.ie – Inclusive Web Design for Community Safety

Overview

We’re proud to have designed and developed CommunitySafe.ie — a free, accessible online resource created by Cumas New Ross. The platform is dedicated to helping people with disabilities build the skills, knowledge, and confidence to feel safe, supported, and included in their communities.

This project was driven by a strong social mission, and our focus was on creating a modern, user-friendly website that communicates the organisation’s values while ensuring easy access to essential resources and training.

Project Objectives

• Develop a clean, welcoming website that reflects the mission of CommunitySafe.
• Ensure the site is fully accessible to users of all abilities, following WCAG 2.2 guidelines.
• Present information in a clear, organised manner that encourages independent exploration and learning.
• Optimise the website for search engines to expand reach and visibility across Ireland.

Our Approach

Custom Website Design

We crafted a clean, modern layout that prioritises readability, simplicity, and ease of use. Careful consideration was given to colour contrasts, text hierarchy, and spacing to ensure that the content is easy to consume for users of all levels of digital literacy.

The design avoids unnecessary complexity, focusing instead on providing a calm and supportive digital environment that aligns with the ethos of CommunitySafe.

Full Website Development

The site was developed using a flexible content management system, making it easy for the Cumas team to manage and update content in-house. Key features include:

• A responsive design that works seamlessly across desktop, tablet, and mobile.
• Clear navigation to guide users to key content areas such as training, resources, and support.
• Structured content sections with intuitive page layouts for ease of access.
• Downloadable materials and support contact details easily available throughout the site.

Accessibility Compliance

Accessibility was a foundational requirement of this project. We ensured full compliance with WCAG 2.2 web standards, including:

• Logical content structure with clear headings and semantic HTML.
• Text alternatives for all media and documents.
• Keyboard navigability throughout the site.
• High contrast ratios and support for screen readers.

Our goal was to ensure that every user, regardless of ability, could comfortably access and benefit from the resources provided.

On-Page Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)

To support discoverability, we implemented a focused on-page SEO strategy:

• Page titles, meta descriptions, and heading structures were written with targeted search terms in mind.
• All images were optimised and included descriptive alt text.
• Internal linking and clean URLs were used to enhance crawlability and user flow.

Results

• Improved access: Users with disabilities can easily navigate and interact with the site, thanks to strong accessibility foundations.
• Enhanced reach: The website is now more visible in search results, helping it connect with a wider community across Ireland.
• Positive impact: Feedback from the Cumas team and users has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting how easy the site is to use and navigate.

Services Delivered

• Custom Website Design
• Full Website Development
• Accessibility Compliance to WCAG 2.2
• On-Page SEO Optimisation
• Mobile & Tablet Responsiveness
• Content Structuring and Upload
• CMS Training and Support