Accessible Website Redesign with Umbraco Improves Navigation and Engagement

Disability Hub MN is a free, statewide resource network that supports Minnesotans with disabilities and their allies across a range of essential services: housing, employment, financial planning, and more. Its digital platform plays a critical role in delivering these services, especially to users with diverse accessibility needs. Many visitors rely on screen readers, keyboard navigation, captioned videos, and other assistive technologies to fully access content. However, the Hub’s legacy website had become a growing barrier. It was outdated, difficult to manage, and failed to meet modern accessibility and scalability standards.

The existing content management system lacked flexibility, making content updates cumbersome and dependent on technical workarounds. It was also ill-equipped to handle integrations with partner services or to track user engagement effectively. Accessibility issues further compounded the problem, leaving the site difficult to navigate for users with cognitive, visual, or physical impairments. Recognizing that their digital presence needed to reflect their mission of inclusion and empowerment, the Hub sought a complete redesign of their website. The goal was not just a visual refresh, but a fundamental rebuild that would center accessibility, improve content workflows, and better serve both end-users and internal teams.

Disability Hub MN partnered with Emergent Software and long-time design collaborator LN Design Co. to reimagine the platform from the ground up. The vision was to create a fast, functional, and fully accessible website aligned with WCAG standards.

Emergent Software led the development of the new site using Umbraco CMS, an open-source platform known for its flexibility, accessibility features, and strong alignment with Microsoft technologies. The decision to use Umbraco was driven by the need for a modern content management system that would be easy for the Hub’s internal team to maintain while supporting scalable integrations on the backend.

Accessibility was integrated into every step of design and development. Emergent applied inclusive design principles to site architecture, navigation structure, color palette selection, and content components. Key technical features included full screen reader optimization, keyboard-only navigation, semantic HTML and ARIA labeling, and a high-contrast, WCAG-compliant color scheme designed to support users with low vision. Video accessibility was addressed through the integration of Able Player, which enables captions, transcripts, and audio descriptions for multimedia content.

To ensure that the accessibility enhancements weren’t just theoretical, Emergent collaborated with a Minneapolis-based accessibility consulting firm. This partner facilitated testing and feedback from individuals with lived disability experience, helping validate that the design worked well in real-world scenarios. Their insights helped refine the interface and remove friction points that could prevent equitable access.

Content scalability was also a major priority. Emergent built a modular content editing experience within Umbraco, allowing the Hub’s editorial team to create and manage pages more efficiently. Reusable content blocks ensured consistency across the site while minimizing technical dependencies. This modularity also future-proofs the site, enabling content expansion as new services or resources come online.

On the technical integration side, Emergent built backend workflows to support single sign-on functionality, making it easier for users to move between partner platforms without disruption. Custom forms and data flows were integrated to sync with internal systems, helping the Hub track engagement and deliver personalized support.

Throughout the process, LN Design Co. led user experience and visual design, closely collaborating with stakeholders to define audience needs and create an accessible design system. Emergent facilitated iterative testing with real users, including those using assistive technologies, across multiple devices and browsers. Regular feedback loops helped the team continuously improve performance, usability, and confidence in the final product.

After nearly a year of collaborative design, testing, and development, the new Disability Hub MN website launched as a fully accessible, user-centered platform. For the Hub’s audience, the improvements are tangible: faster load times, clearer navigation paths, and robust support for assistive technologies all contribute to a vastly better digital experience. Where once users encountered frustration or required assistance, they can now independently find information, access tools, and make informed decisions with ease.

Internally, the Hub’s team reports a dramatic improvement in workflow efficiency. Content editors can publish updates faster and more reliably, and the modular system allows them to scale content without fear of breaking site accessibility. The platform’s architecture also provides better visibility into user behavior and engagement, empowering the team to refine their services and resources with data-driven insights.

Technically, the Hub now operates on a flexible, extensible foundation built with sustainability in mind. The use of Umbraco and Emergent’s modular build strategy means the site is well-positioned to support future enhancements, whether that’s onboarding new partner services, expanding content libraries, or adapting to future accessibility requirements.

Just as importantly, this project has reinforced Emergent Software’s commitment to building inclusive digital experiences. The lessons learned from working with Disability Hub MN and its partners continue to shape how Emergent approaches accessibility on future projects, especially within the public sector and nonprofit space. By investing in inclusive design from the outset, the team helped ensure the Hub’s mission is reflected not just in content, but in every interaction on the site.

Emergent Software is proud to support organizations like Disability Hub MN that are driving equitable access and empowerment through technology. This project is a strong example of how thoughtful design and collaboration can remove barriers and create lasting impact in the communities that need it most.