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The role of web accessibility in promoting campus diversity

Colleges and universities provide unique opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds to get together, share their experiences, and learn from each other. To cultivate a diverse student body, many postsecondary institutions have been proactively recruiting students from both urban and rural areas, including individuals from historically marginalized economic and ethnic backgrounds.  

However, in their efforts to promote diversity, higher education institutions may not always consider the needs of students with disabilities. While one in five college students report a disability, it’s all too common for these students to encounter barriers that prevent them from fully participating in campus life—particularly with regard to web accessibility.  

Let’s discuss how web accessibility helps students with disabilities get the most out of their college experience. 

What is web accessibility? 

Accessible websites are usable by people with a wide range of disabilities, including blindness and deafness as well as mobility, cognitive, and learning disabilities. To be accessible, a website must be compatible with assistive technology like screen readers, and be designed and developed with the needs and preferences of users with disabilities in mind.  

In the U.S., website accessibility for public postsecondary institutions is mandated by Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which refers to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) as its technical standard. WCAG outlines best practices for readable text, assistive technology compatibility, and inclusive audiovisual content. These practices include providing alternative text for images, using sufficient color contrast and font size, incorporating content captions, and supporting keyboard navigation. 

How does web accessibility promote diversity? 

Web accessibility benefits students with disabilities from the moment they start considering their college options until they graduate. It also helps promote diversity and inclusion on campus. Here are some of the positive results colleges and students enjoy from building a culture of digital accessibility. 

More interest from students with disabilities 

While the college application process is more accessible than ever before, many potential students prioritize applying to schools with accessible websites. A website is often a prospective student’s first touchpoint with a college, and it provides crucial information about a school’s programs and campus. If a student has a positive experience navigating a college’s website, it’s more likely they will want to know more about the institution. In addition, an accessible website may indicate to students with disabilities that they will be included and empowered if they do get admitted and decide to enroll. 

Increased participation in academic activities 

While classes have now mostly returned to college campuses, a lot of the work that students do takes place online. From reviewing syllabi and learning materials to submitting coursework to instructors, accessible websites and mobile apps make participating in class much easier for everyone, regardless of their disabilities. For example, accessibility best practices such as closed captioning benefit students without disabilities who prefer watching videos in quiet environments such as libraries or dorm rooms. 

Better access to campus services  

Students go online to access various on-campus services and activities. For example, they visit the library website to search for books that they need for papers and go to the college athletics website to buy tickets for home games. Inaccessible websites can make these tasks difficult, if not impossible, for students with disabilities unless they ask for help. Website accessibility allows students with disabilities to independently participate in the same activities as their peers, contributing to the overall quality of their college life.  

Stronger relationships with peers 

One of the most important aspects of college life consists of the friendships that students form during their stay on campus. Aside from empowering students with disabilities to participate in classroom activities, website accessibility also allows these students to network with their classmates or others who are not in their immediate friend groups. Students with disabilities can use accessible school-based social platforms to find peers who share similar interests, fostering deeper social connections and expanding their networks.  

Web accessibility: Building a culture of diversity and inclusion on campus 

Institutions that ensure their websites are accessible make a positive impression not only on students with disabilities, but also other potential applicants who value inclusion. And by providing an accessible digital experience at all stages of the student journey, colleges and universities encourage everyone to learn and participate in campus life, setting students up for success beyond graduation.