Create with the heart, build with the mind

The April 2023 Newsletter — 

This past month was a creative one for the iBec team! We hosted “Driven By Purpose, Inspired to Create”, a community art event where we invited clients and purpose-driven companies in the community to come put their heads together for a collaborative art piece (pictured below).

In addition to this new art piece hanging on the iBec Creative office wall, we were also busy launching three new websites, volunteering in the community, and taking strides in making accessibility top of mind within website design and development.

a freehand collaborative art piece hanging on a wall

We also made a TikTok recap video of the night! Head to our TikTok page to check it out.

Accessibility is crucial for your website

With the internet becoming increasingly crucial to functioning within today’s world, ensuring accessibility for all users regardless of physical disabilities, situational disabilities, and socio-economic restrictions could not be more important. Can you imagine if you had no access to the internet but everyone around you did?

That’s why today it has become best practice to ensure minimum Web Content Accessibility Guideline (WCAG) compliance. This is done by including text alternatives for non-text content, keyboard accessibility, color contrast, and more. While iBec ensures each website we build conforms to the minimum level of conformance, it’s important for clients (and everyone with a website) to continually implement accessibility best practices. This not only cuts down on the risk of a lawsuit but also positions your website to be accessible to all, regardless of ability. And that’s just the right thing to do!

a laptop open to a page that says bringing transparently better, more efficiently grown, premium cannabis to maine with a screenshot of computer code on the right

Concerned about whether your website is accessible or not? We provide accessibility audits! If you’re looking for more information on what accessibility means, check out our recent blog post, Why Accessibility Is Crucial for Your Website. We also have written an article all about writing alt text, one of the key components of website accessibility. Read about alt text here.

The nonprofit corner

Even before we became a certified B Corp, iBec was (and continues to be) a team that cares about making a difference in the community around us. Each month we spend some time donating and volunteering with a number of great causes. Here are some highlights from this past month!

Equality Maine

Equality Maine’s mission is to protect and advance full equality for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Mainers by creating an inclusive and intersectional movement through political action, community building, education, engagement, and collaboration.

logo that says eqme equality maine

Head to Equality Maine’s website to learn more about their programs, services, and ways that you can help support their efforts.

Maine Coast Heritage Trust

Maine Coast Heritage Trust is a nonprofit land conservation organization that is on a mission to keep Maine’s coast open, healthy, working, and beautiful. They’ve partnered with individuals, businesses, organizations, and communities to conserve iconic islands, critical wildlife habitats, coastal watersheds, water access sites, downtown greenspaces, and epic places for people to explore. Their priorities are mitigating the impacts of climate change on the coast, protecting vulnerable plants and animals, expanding access to the coast, and serving Maine’s coastal communities.

logo that says maine coast heritage trust

Through the generosity of donors, MCHT has made an extraordinary impact since its founding in 1970, protecting over 170,000 acres and 330 islands, including over 150 public preserves offering over 100 miles of hiking trails. Head to their website to learn how you can get involved!

Opportunity Alliance

The Opportunity Alliance (TOA) is a dynamic, results-focused Community Action Agency providing approximately 50 integrated community-based and clinical programs serving more than 20,000 people annually throughout the state of Maine.

logo that says the opportunity alliance

Their mission is to work with people to build better lives and stronger communities. They provide advocacy, leadership, and support to identify the goals and address the needs of individuals, families, and communities.

Learn more, access help, or donate by heading to their website.

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