CASE STUDY
Self-Advocates of Indiana: A Holistic Digital and Marketing Partnership
A Mission Worth Amplifying
Self-Advocates of Indiana (SAI) champions a powerful movement. As a statewide nonprofit supported by The Arc of Indiana, they empower people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to speak out, advocate, and educate for equal rights, respect, and true inclusion.
SAI has the heart, the momentum, and the message. They just needed a digital presence that could keep up. That’s where our partnership began. Proof Digital was committed to listening first, collaborating closely, and elevating self-advocates’ voices with the clarity and respect they deserve.
Here’s how we strategically partnered with SAI to strengthen their brand, expand their reach, and build a marketing presence worthy of their mission.
Impact Area 1: A Modern, Accessible Website
Accessibility Enhancements and a 91% SEO Health Score at Launch
We started with a website redesign. SAI needed a central hub: one place where people could easily learn about their mission, find resources, explore local chapters, donate, and stay connected to their ongoing advocacy work.
They wanted a site that reflected who they are and supported the community they serve.
Their goals were clear: build a site that’s easy to update, fully ADA compliant, user-friendly, and designed with a softer color palette for better readability. They also needed intuitive navigation so users could quickly find the information that mattered most.
We got to work...
Their new website is accessible, functional, and welcoming.
In their words:
“[Proof Digital] was able to create a beautiful website that showcases the mission and vision of our organization perfectly. They designed an accessible website that is easy to use and navigate so that we are able to best communicate all that our organization has to offer.”
Becky Shields – Advocacy & Research Manager, Arc of Indiana
It gives SAI a strong digital foundation to amplify their mission.
Impact Area 2:
Consistent, Connection-Driven Email Marketing
Modern Newsletter Design and a 381.5% Increase in Emails Sent
SAI speaks to a diverse community of advocates, supporters, families, and stakeholders, and they needed a consistent communication rhythm that kept everyone informed and connected.
We developed a strategy and template so their team could send a monthly newsletter cadence that their audience can rely on…and look forward to.
Check out the Before & After
Each issue features stories from self-advocates, highlights new blog content and resources that drive readers back to the website, and recognizes key months, holidays, and advocacy moments throughout the year.
We refreshed their entire newsletter approach with clean, branded designs, clearer messaging, and stronger calls to action—empowering them with the tools to confidently manage it in-house moving forward. The new look is sharper, more inviting, and built to keep their audience engaged.
The “Proof” Is in the Numbers
AFTER
Impact Area 3:
A Blog Strategy That Builds Authority
367% Increase in Organic Traffic and 214.3% Increase in Keywords Ranked
SAI had powerful stories and insights to share, but blogs require regular publishing for SEO. We helped them establish a steady monthly cadence that kept fresh content hitting their site.
SAI’s team provided the stories. We handled everything else.
Our team formatted each post, optimized it with key SEO elements, and published it directly to the site. This approach made their content easier to find, strengthened their authority as a nonprofit, and gave their community more reasons to return.
The Results
Impact Area 4:
Video Assets That Put Self-Advocates at the Center
6 Interviews, 4 Shareable Shorts
We invited several self-advocates into the Proof Digital office for a recording day. It was an opportunity to meet the people behind the mission we were amplifying, create space for their stories, and produce impactful video content.
We dialed in the set, lighting, audio, and camera. What followed were honest, moving conversations about self-advocacy, inclusion, and the lived experiences that fuel SAI’s work.
This was a true collaboration. We didn’t script their narratives; we supported them. We created a comfortable, empowering environment, asked thoughtful questions, and captured their words through video and audio.
Impact Area 5:
Design-Forward Marketing Materials
SAI needed marketing materials that could elevate key events, share vital information, and highlight important monthly recognitions while staying true to the heart of their mission and the clarity of their refreshed brand.
We stepped in to strengthen their design efforts, creating resources that helped them inform, celebrate, and engage their community with visuals that felt polished, accessible, and unmistakably SAI.
Burnout Guide
This resource was designed for individuals with disabilities who often face difficult systems and triggering conversations. SAI provided meaningful content, and we transformed it into a supportive, easy-to-read guide.
The design prioritized clarity, accessibility, and aesthetics so the message could resonate with the people who needed it most.
SAI Annual Picnic Promo Graphic
For SAI’s Annual Picnic, their biggest event of the year, we created a dynamic, inviting flyer that brought excitement while staying consistent with their new visual direction.
We resized it for email, web, and social so their team could promote the event easily across every platform.
Disability Pride Month Email Header
To help SAI show up with pride every year, we designed a reusable Disability Pride Month email header, giving their July communications a branded, celebratory look that will serve them every time the month rolls around.
The Partnership Impact: More Than Marketing
These weren’t isolated projects.
Our work with Self Advocates of Indiana was about showing up as a true partner, learning from their community, and building digital tools to amplify their voices.
Together, we strengthened their visibility, expanded their advocacy influence, and deepened community engagement across every channel.
Their message now reaches farther. Their stories hit harder. Their digital presence finally reflects the impact they make every day.
“Working with Proof Digital was an absolute pleasure! The entire team was communicative and paid such attention to detail. We will continue to use their excellent services for all our design and marketing needs!”
Becky Shields – Advocacy & Research Manager, Arc of Indiana
