Texas Department of State Health Services

Client Background:

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is responsible for overseeing public health initiatives, providing vital information on health services, and supporting community health programs across Texas. The DSHS website serves as a centralized portal, offering a wide array of health-related information, resources, and guidance to the state’s residents. With such a diverse audience, ensuring accessibility, seamless navigation, and up-to-date content were critical project objectives.

Project Goals:

1. Improve Content Organization and User Navigation: Restructure content categories and site layout to ensure users can quickly find the resources they need.

2. Enhance Accessibility and Compliance: Implement WCAG 2.1 accessibility standards across the website to ensure inclusivity for all users, particularly for those with disabilities.

3. Implement Interactive Components for Health Resources: Develop and integrate interactive tools (e.g., symptom checkers, eligibility calculators) to provide personalized health information.

4. Optimize Performance and Scalability: Ensure quick loading times, minimal server load, and an optimized experience for users across Texas, particularly in rural areas with limited connectivity.

5. Facilitate Real-Time Updates for Health Alerts: Create a flexible system for DSHS staff to publish real-time updates, health advisories, and emergency notifications to reach residents promptly.

Challenges and Solutions:

• Content Structure and Navigation Overhaul:

• Challenge: The extensive array of health information and resources made it difficult for users to navigate efficiently.

• Solution: Conducted a full site audit and implemented a reorganized taxonomy to categorize resources more intuitively. Updated the navigation structure to ensure quick access to high-demand resources, such as immunization schedules, health alerts, and public health programs.

• Accessibility and Compliance:

• Challenge: Ensuring all content, forms, and interactive elements met WCAG 2.1 standards was essential to reach all demographics, including users with disabilities.

• Solution: Performed extensive accessibility testing and updated form labels, contrast ratios, and ARIA attributes. Adjusted elements like font sizes and interactive components to be compatible with screen readers and other assistive devices.

• Integration of Interactive Health Tools:

• Challenge: Users needed a way to access personalized health recommendations, especially for state health programs.

• Solution: Developed interactive modules that allow users to input basic information and receive tailored resources. For instance, a tool for eligibility checks for various health services was added, helping users find the programs they qualify for based on their inputs.

• Performance Optimization:

• Challenge: With high traffic, especially during health alerts, the site needed to perform well under load.

• Solution: Implemented caching strategies, a CDN for static assets, and lazy loading for media to improve site speed. Optimized database queries and minimized API calls to ensure the site remained responsive.

• Real-Time Health Alerts:

• Challenge: DSHS required a solution to quickly post emergency alerts, such as weather-related health advisories or disease outbreaks.

• Solution: Built a content management feature that allows DSHS staff to publish alerts that display prominently on the homepage and key pages, ensuring rapid dissemination of critical information.

Deployment and Testing:

• Staged Deployment: Introduced changes incrementally on staging environments to minimize disruption and maintain stability.

• Cross-Device and Browser Testing: Verified accessibility, responsiveness, and performance across desktop and mobile devices, ensuring a consistent experience for all users.

• Real-Time Monitoring: Monitored performance metrics during high-traffic periods, particularly around health events, to identify any bottlenecks.

Results:

• Improved Accessibility and Compliance: The site now fully complies with WCAG 2.1 standards, making it inclusive for all Texans, including those with disabilities.

• Enhanced User Experience: The reorganized content structure and interactive tools allowed users to quickly find relevant health resources, improving engagement and satisfaction.

• Increased Efficiency in Emergency Communications: The new alert system enabled DSHS to communicate health advisories more effectively, with quick publication and wide visibility.

• Positive Feedback: Both users and internal staff at DSHS reported improved usability and faster access to critical information, especially during public health emergencies.

Value Added:

• User-Centered Design: The restructured navigation and interactive elements created a more intuitive and helpful resource for users across Texas.

• Scalable and Resilient Infrastructure: Performance optimizations and CDN usage allowed the site to handle high traffic without lag, supporting DSHS’s goal of reliable public health communications.

• Commitment to Accessibility: By achieving WCAG 2.1 compliance, the site sets a high standard for inclusive digital health resources, ensuring it serves all Texas residents effectively.