Border College - Website Design Project
Donald Dalziel is a student at Borders College who, between August 2010 and June 2011, redesigned the website of the Borders Direct Payment Agency (BDPA), a charitable organisation that allows disabled and elderly people to manage the money they receive in order to decide what care services and equipment they want and need.
Donald recognised that the organisation’s website needed to be improved. “The old BDPA website needed a lot of work to improve the aesthetics of the site. There was too much text, too many pages and it was difficult to find information on it. The person who had created the original website had left the organisation and there was no one else in the agency who knew how to make the necessary updates. By volunteering to create a website for the charity I helped them to save money as they didn’t have to pay a web designer or arrange training for staff to do this work. As a charity they don’t have much money so this was very important. A better website also makes it easier and quicker for staff at the agency to help users when they phone for information as they can look at the website themselves and then direct callers to the website for further information. The most important thing, however, is that it meant that the users of the website (elderly and disabled people) are able to access the information they need more easily so that more people can now access this very important service.”
“I have benefitted greatly because of my volunteering as I have increased my confidence and skills in designing a website and working on a real project with a real client. I learned how to carry out an interview with my clients and have successfully produced an effective website. For the interview with my client I had to learn how to write questions, record and transcribe interviews and most importantly how to behave in a professional manner. Working on a real life project allowed me to see what working in an organisation would be like and meant I had to arrange meetings, talk with the client on the phone and by email, make sure I turned up on time, dressed smartly and explained my ideas clearly both in writing and in person. These are all skills which I think will help me get a similar job in the future. Creating the website also involved my learning about colour schemes, digital photography and usability, as well as accessibility which was very important to the project as some of the users of the website have visual or cognitive impairments. Due to the sensitive nature of the subject - helping the elderly and disabled – I feel I have gained a greater respect and understanding of these individuals. I also have a great sense of achievement in thinking that I’ve managed to help my local community in some way.”