Introduction: PacificCorp, a leading utility company, recognized the critical need to ensure the safety and well-being of its employees in the event of a natural disaster, particularly in the Portland area prone to seismic activity. To address this imperative, PacificCorp collaborated with our team, led by Drew, to develop a disaster relief site. This site was meticulously crafted using Angular and Contentful, prioritizing lightweight design and accessibility to ensure accessibility even in scenarios with limited network connectivity.

Project Overview: The PacificCorp Disaster Relief Site project aimed to provide a reliable and accessible platform for employees to seek assistance and ensure their safety during natural disasters. The site incorporated features such as location check-in, directions to the nearest safe zones, and access to emergency resources. The development process emphasized lightweight design and adherence to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) to guarantee accessibility for all users, including those with disabilities.

Challenges:

1. Limited Network Connectivity: Anticipating potential network congestion during natural disasters, and ensuring site accessibility and functionality under adverse network conditions was a primary challenge.
2. Complex Geolocation Functionality: Implementing precise geolocation features for employees to check in their location and receive directions to safe zones requires robust technical solutions.
3. WCAG Compliance: Ensuring compliance with WCAG standards to accommodate users with disabilities necessitated careful consideration of design and development practices throughout the project lifecycle.

Solution:

1. Angular Development: Leveraging the Angular framework enabled the development of a robust and responsive web application, facilitating seamless user interactions and dynamic content updates.
2. Contentful Integration: Integrating Contentful as a headless content management system (CMS) provided a lightweight and scalable solution for managing content, ensuring rapid deployment and flexibility in content updates.
3. Lightweight Design: Prioritizing lightweight design principles and optimizing resource delivery minimized page load times and reduced bandwidth requirements, enhancing accessibility and usability under adverse network conditions.
4. WCAG Compliance: Adhering to WCAG guidelines throughout the design and development process ensured accessibility for users with disabilities, including features such as keyboard navigation, screen reader compatibility, and color contrast enhancements.

Implementation:

1. Location Check-In Feature: Employees could check in their location using geolocation functionality, providing critical information for emergency response teams to coordinate assistance efforts effectively.
2. Safe Zone Directions: The site provided employees with directions to the nearest safe zones based on their current location, enabling them to navigate to safety efficiently in the event of a natural disaster.
3. Emergency Resources: Access to emergency resources, such as contact information for emergency services and safety protocols, ensured employees had the information needed to respond effectively to emergencies.

Results:

1. Improved Employee Safety: The PacificCorp Disaster Relief Site equipped employees with the tools and resources necessary to ensure their safety during natural disasters, facilitating timely assistance and evacuation procedures.
2. Enhanced Accessibility: Adherence to WCAG standards ensured accessibility for all users, including those with disabilities, fostering inclusivity and usability across diverse user demographics.
3. Lightweight and Reliable Performance: The site's lightweight design and efficient resource delivery mechanisms ensured reliable performance, even under adverse network conditions, enabling employees to access critical information when it mattered most.

Conclusion: The collaborative effort between PacificCorp and our development team has resulted in the successful creation of the Disaster Relief Site, a critical tool for ensuring employee safety during natural disasters in the Portland area. By leveraging Angular and Contentful, alongside a focus on lightweight design and WCAG compliance, we have delivered a reliable, accessible, and user-friendly platform that empowers employees to navigate emergencies effectively and prioritize their safety. This project underscores the importance of leveraging technology to mitigate risks and prioritize employee well-being in the face of natural disasters.