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Case Study: National Ataxia Foundation

The Challenge

The National Ataxia Foundation (NAF) is a nonprofit organization established in 1957 to help persons with ataxia through direct funding of ataxia research and providing vital programs and services for ataxia families. The NAF was experiencing dozens of operational and marketing related issues with their web site including:

  • Web site accessibility issues that made the site nearly inaccessible to the disabled.
  • Brand dismemberment by chapters and ambassador groups across the country who were inaccurately representing the organization.
  • Manual filing and organization of program information, requests and membership applications.

The Solution

After several weeks of analysis, Net Dynasty developed a plan to drastically improve the NAF web site over an 8-month period. A phased plan was developed to ensure quality at each step and disperse the cost over a greater period of time.

Phase I - Redesign (Completed)

The current National Ataxia Foundation web site had hundreds of programming and accessibility errors that made the site nearly inaccessible to select groups of the disabled. Additionally, there were dozens of inconsistent uses of design elements, such as headings, body content, and imagery that reduced the perception of professionalism. The site was redesigned to better align the web presence with the National Ataxia Foundation brand and address the accessibility issues.

Phase II - On-line Store & Forms (In Progress)

The packaged on-line store that is currently in place is poorly implemented and difficult to use from an administrative and visitors perspective. Furthermore, the grant submission process, membership registration form, and annual meeting form is being placed on-line to reduce the amount of paperwork and manual sorting done by administrative staff. The on-line store will be re-tooled with usability in mind, and the three forms will be placed on-line and automated to a necessary level.

Phase III - Ambassador/Chapter Web Site Management System

Currently the National Ataxia Foundation has dozens of ambassadors and chapters across the world, all with separately designed and branded web sites. This has resulted in several problems, including lack of control over the National Ataxia Foundation brand and the publication of inaccurate information. A web site management system will be developed that allows central control over the ambassador/chapter web sites and the on-line representation of the National Ataxia Foundation.

The Benefit

Many of the phases outlined above are in progress so benefits have yet to be measured.

The Relationship

Net Dynasty and The National Ataxia Foundation have developed a strong working relationship and we will continue to provide strategic direction to the National Ataxia Foundation.