Powerful Champions Web Design Accessibility for Electric Cooperatives at 2025 MREA Summer Communications Conference in Walker, Minnesota
At the intersection of technology and inclusion, Powerful makes the case for building websites that work for everyone, no matter how they access the web.
WALKER, MN — As the energy industry evolves to serve increasingly diverse communities, digital equity has never been more important. That was the central message delivered by Beth Knudson, Success Strategist at Powerful, during the 2025 Minnesota Member Services & Communications Summer Conference, hosted by the Minnesota Rural Electric Association (MREA) in Walker, Minnesota from June 4–6, 2025.
Beth’s featured session, titled “Umpire’s Call: ADA Compliance – What is it? How to Achieve it”, took place on Wednesday, June 4 at 2:15 p.m., and brought a critical conversation to the forefront: how electric cooperatives can ensure their websites are accessible, inclusive, and compliant with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) guidelines.
“Accessibility isn’t optional—it’s foundational,” said Knudson during her presentation. “When we build digital spaces, we have a responsibility to create experiences that include everyone, including those who may navigate the web differently than we do. That’s what equity looks like online.”
Knudson, alongside Caleigh Pickard, Website Solution Consultant at Powerful, represented the company at the conference, engaging with cooperative communicators and member service leaders from across Minnesota. The event brought together a dynamic community of rural electric professionals to explore everything from branding and outreach to digital strategy, policy communication, and member experience.
A focal point of Powerful’s presence at the conference was the recent launch of the new Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative website, designed and developed by the Powerful team with accessibility at its core. The launch exemplifies Powerful’s commitment to designing for all users—ensuring interfaces, content, and navigation work seamlessly for individuals using screen readers, keyboard navigation, or alternative input devices.
“We believe that everyone deserves access to information—whether they’re paying a bill, reporting an outage, or learning about their co-op’s community impact,” said Pickard. “Accessibility isn’t just about compliance. It’s about respect.”
For Powerful, accessibility advocacy is embedded in the website development lifecycle. From color contrast and font readability to form labels, alt text, and logical tab order, every detail is examined with inclusive use in mind. The company also works closely with co-op teams to provide education, documentation, and ongoing guidance to ensure long-term ADA alignment as content evolves.
Beth’s presentation made the case that digital accessibility is not just a legal requirement but a moral and strategic imperative—especially for electric cooperatives whose values center around community and inclusion.
“Your members aren’t all the same. So why should your digital experience be built for just one type of user?” she asked the audience. “The good news is, accessible design isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing better, from the beginning.”
Throughout the conference, the Powerful team connected with fellow MREA members, shared insights on website strategy, and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to being more than a vendor: a partner in purposeful, accessible design.
About Powerful
Powerful is a digital experience partner that works exclusively with utility organizations to create human-centered, accessible, and scalable web platforms. With a focus on client satisfaction, long-term partnerships, and a relentless attention to detail, Powerful helps electric cooperatives better serve their communities by designing digital spaces that include, inform, and empower all users.
About Minnesota Rural Electric Association (MREA)
The Minnesota Rural Electric Association (MREA) is a nonprofit trade association that represents the interests of Minnesota’s electric cooperatives. MREA supports its members through education, advocacy, communications, and strategic collaboration, working to ensure that rural electric co-ops can effectively serve their members and advance the mission of public power across the state.
