IPTN Website Project: Transforming Technical Content into Accessible Information

Project Overview

Led the development and content strategy for the Inclusionary Practices Technical Assistance Network (IPTN) website, a crucial resource for Washington state's special education community. The project involved collaborating with special education experts, both external and internal, to create an accessible, user-friendly platform that effectively communicates complex educational initiatives.

Challenge

The primary challenge was translating highly technical special education content into clear, accessible information for multiple audience groups while maintaining the accuracy and depth required by education professionals. The content needed to serve diverse stakeholders, including families, educators, and community members, each with different information needs and levels of familiarity with special education terminology.

Approach

Content Strategy and Information Architecture

• Developed a three-page structure to effectively target different audience segments
• Created clear navigation pathways for students/families, educators, and community members
• Implemented a user-centered design approach to ensure intuitive information access for diverse audiences

Plain Language Translation

• Collaborated with subject matter experts to understand complex special education concepts
• Transformed technical language into clear, accessible content while preserving essential information
• Maintained consistency in terminology while reducing jargon and complex educational terms

Editorial Process

• Led comprehensive content editing and proofreading efforts
• Established style guidelines to ensure consistency across all pages
• Incorporated feedback from special education staff to maintain accuracy
• Applied plain talk principles to make content more approachable while retaining technical accuracy

Impact

The website successfully serves as a central resource for Washington state's inclusive education initiatives, effectively communicating complex information to diverse audiences while maintaining professional standards and technical accuracy.

Lessons Learned

• The importance of early stakeholder involvement in content development
• The value of iterative editing in achieving both clarity and accuracy
• The effectiveness of structured content organization in creating more accessible content