For hiring to be truly inclusive, recruitment technology must be accessible to everyone. If a candidate struggles to navigate a careers site or complete an application, they’re excluded before they even get a chance. Accessibility isn’t just about compliance, it’s about ensuring every qualified person has an equal opportunity to apply. This article breaks down why accessible hiring matters, how it benefits both candidates and employers, and what you can do to make your recruitment platforms truly inclusive.

The Importance of Accessible Recruitment Platforms

Expanding Talent Pool

An accessible careers site opens doors to a broader range of candidates, including those with disabilities. By ensuring your platform is usable by everyone, you tap into a diverse talent pool that brings varied perspectives and skills to your organisation. 

Enhancing Employer Brand

Demonstrating a commitment to accessibility reflects positively on your company’s values. It signals to potential candidates that you prioritise inclusivity and are dedicated to providing equal opportunities. This commitment can enhance your employer brand, making your company more attractive to top talent.

Legal Compliance

Many countries have regulations mandating digital accessibility. In the UK, the Equality Act 2010 requires businesses to ensure their websites and digital services are accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. Additionally, Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) Accessibility Regulations 2018 set specific accessibility standards for public sector organisations, aligning with WCAG 2.2 AA guidelines. Non-compliance can lead to legal repercussions, including lawsuits and fines. Ensuring your recruitment platforms adhere to accessibility standards helps mitigate these risks.

Assessing the Accessibility of Your Recruitment Platforms

To ensure your recruitment technology platforms are inclusive, it's crucial to assess their current accessibility status. Here are steps to guide you:

Automated Accessibility Testing Tools

Use automated tools, like inploi’s Access Scan, designed to evaluate website accessibility. These tools can quickly identify common issues such as missing alt text, improper heading structures, and inadequate color contrast. While they provide a good starting point, it's essential to note that automated tools may not catch all accessibility barriers.

Manual Audits

Conduct manual reviews of your platforms to identify issues that automated tools might miss. This includes checking for keyboard navigability, ensuring interactive elements are accessible, and verifying that all multimedia content has appropriate captions or transcripts.

User Testing with Assistive Technologies

Engage users who rely on assistive technologies, such as screen readers or voice recognition software, to test your platforms. Their feedback provides invaluable insights into real-world accessibility and usability challenges.

Improving Accessibility in Recruitment Platforms

Once you've identified accessibility gaps, consider the following strategies to enhance inclusivity:

Adhere to WCAG Guidelines

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) provide a comprehensive framework for making web content more accessible. Aim to meet at least WCAG 2.2 Level AA standards, which address a wide range of accessibility issues.

Implement Accessible Design Practices

• Use proper headings: Ensure that headings are used sequentially (e.g., H1, H2, H3) to create a logical structure, aiding navigation for screen reader users.​

• Provide alt text for images: All informative images should have descriptive alt text to convey meaning to users who cannot see them.​

• Ensure sufficient colour contrast: Text and background colour combinations should have adequate contrast to be readable by individuals with visual impairments.​

• Caption multimedia content: Provide captions for videos and transcripts for audio content to accommodate users with hearing impairments.​

Continuous Training and Awareness

Educate your design, development, and content teams about accessibility best practices. Regular training ensures that accessibility considerations are integrated into all stages of platform development and maintenance.

Ensuring your careers sites are accessible is a vital component of inclusive hiring. By assessing and improving the accessibility of your careers site, you not only comply with legal standards but also demonstrate a genuine commitment to diversity and inclusion. This proactive approach enhances your employer brand and ensures that all potential candidates have an equal opportunity to join your company.

Is your careers site accessible to all potential candidates? 

• Take the first step towards inclusive hiring by assessing your platform's accessibility today

• Get in touch with our team for a demo of our accessibility solutions