The main focus for this month's Melbourne Drupal Meetup was a presentation by Ines Vara on the Drupal website build for the Bendigo Law . Ines's presentation focused on the Digital . The Drupal site uses to deliver a site at reduced costs and time. The presentation also explained how Drupal BE’s API capabilities have enabled integration with kiosks available on the court’s ground floor.
Bendigo Law Courts Digital Wayfinder Project: summary of Ines’s presentation
This presentation looks at a project for the Bendigo Law Courts . Ines Vara shares insights into the project's background, objectives, challenges and notable features.
Background and objective
The project centres on the Bendigo Law , which was transitioning to a new, state-of-the-art building and needed a corresponding website. The website's purpose was to help visitors navigate the court premises, prepare for court experiences, and access relevant support services. The objective was to offer a seamless user experience that aligns with the design and mission of the new building.
Website development approach
Ines highlights the use of the CivicTheme design developed by Salsa. This approach brought several benefits, including a mature visual theme and a user-centric design philosophy. The website's design aimed to create a secure and comfortable experience for users, with a focus on promoting both physical and psychological wellbeing.
Key features and components
The website encompasses various features to support users. It offers comprehensive information about visiting the court, including guidelines on expectations, attire and what to bring. Notably, the court schedule page was a significant component, enabling users to access detailed information about hearings and cases. Although the consolidated court schedule feature was not active during the discussion, it was considered a valuable feature that could potentially be reactivated.
Interactive maps and kiosks
The site incorporates interactive maps for various services within the court building. Additionally, strategically placed kiosks offer users contextually relevant and location-based information. The kiosks provide directional maps, and their content is managed through the website, enhancing user-friendliness for staff.
Content assembly and accessibility
Ines highlights the significance of content assembly in the development process. The website's content assembler organised various features and components to create coherent pages, ensuring accessibility was a priority and that the website's information catered to a diverse range of users.
Considerations and future plans
While the project team was very happy with the website's development, the speaker emphasises the importance of user feedback and validation. The team is keen to get input from users to further enhance the website. Additionally, there are discussions about incorporating traditional languages and recordings to bolster accessibility.
Development approach and limitations
During the discussion, it’s clarified that the project did not involve extensive custom module development. Instead, the majority of the work was achieved using and its features. The use of pre-existing components and configurations within CivicTheme facilitated the development process. It also gave Bendigo Law Courts a visually appealing and functional platform that helps visitors and enhances their court experiences.