Overview
The VA prototype addressed the complexity of existing veteran health portals, which presented significant barriers for older veterans and those with varying degrees of digital literacy.
Problem
Veterans navigating health benefits encountered layered authentication requirements, inconsistent UI patterns, and dense informational pages that were difficult to parse under cognitive or physical stress.
Approach
We applied WCAG 2.1 AA standards throughout, with additional consideration for low-vision users and motor impairments. The information architecture was restructured around task completion — appointment, refill, message — rather than administrative categories.
Outcome
A prototype demonstrating a simplified onboarding flow, task-centric dashboard, and accessible component library validated against assistive technology across three device classes.