In the world of education, digital platforms have become essential tools for learning. However, educational content and resources move online, educational institutions must prioritize making their websites accessible to all students, including those with disabilities. This blog explores why web accessibility in education is crucial, the legal implications,and the steps your institution can take to ensure inclusivity.
Why Web Accessibility in Education Matters
With 15% of the global population living with some form of disability, the need for accessible online education has never been more urgent. Around 40% of college students in the U.S. have a disability, making it essential for educational websites to be accessible. Students with visual, hearing, and cognitive impairments rely on accessible websites to fully engage in online learning. Not providing accessible platforms excludes a large group of potential students, which can hurt your institution’s reputation and student retention.
In addition to being the right thing to do, web accessibility is also required by law. Laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act require educational institutions to make their websites accessible. In 2021, over 2.500 ADA-related lawsuits were filed against schools for inaccessible websites, leading to high legal costs and damaged reputations. Top universities like University of California Berkeley and Harvard University have faced lawsuits due to inaccessible websites, showing that ignoring web accessibility can lead to both financial and reputational harm.
Why Accessibility Matters from a Business Perspective
Web accessibility is often seen as a technical issue, but it’s also a powerful business strategy. Here are a few key reasons why accessibility should be at the forefront of your institution’s digital strategy:
- A wider reach, more enrollment: By ensuring your website is accessible, you make it possible for more students to engage with your institution’s offerings. According to the National Centeron Disability and Access to Education, 20% of college students have some form of disability, yet many of them face barriers in accessing educational resources online.
- Better user experience for all: Accessibility features create a better experience for all, not only students with disabilities.
Think about it: users with slow internet connections, older adults, and non-native speakers all appreciate websites that are easy to navigate and understand.
- Legal Compliance: For educational institutions, the risk of lawsuits is a real concern. The number of legal actions against non-compliant websites is on the rise. By proactively addressing accessibility, you protect your institution from costly legal battles.
- Strengthening your reputation as an inclusive institution: An accessible website shows that your institution is committed to equality andinclusivity. In an increasingly socially conscious world, students, parents,and educators are more likely to choose institutions that demonstrate values of diversity and accessibility.
Best Practices for Achieving Web Accessibility in Education
- Follow WCAG guidelines: The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) offer a roadmap for creating accessible websites. By following the POUR principles (Perceivable, Operable,Understandable, and Robust) you can ensure your content is accessible to all users.
- Implement alt text for images: Provide alternative text (alt text) for all images and visual content. Alt text helps screen readers convey the meaning of images to visually impaired students.
- Ensure keyboard accessibility: Make sure that your website can be navigated using a keyboard. Many students with motor impairments rely on keyboard shortcuts rather than a mouse to interact with websites.
- Add captions and transcripts: For students with hearing impairments, provide captions for video content and transcripts for audio materials. This makes your content more accessible to a wider audience.
- Conduct regular accessibility audits: Regularly test your website for accessibility using both automated tools andmanual checks. This will help identify and fix potential barriers, ensuring your website remains accessible as it evolves.
How Binclusive Can Help Your Institution
At Binclusive,we help educational institutions like yours overcome web accessibility challenges with our AI-powered accessibility tool. Our platform audits your website, generates real-time fixes, and helps you track the return on investment (ROI) for your accessibility efforts. With our easy-to-implement solutions, you can make your digital content fully accessible, legally compliant, and inclusive for all students.
Accessibility is the Future of Education
In a world where education is increasingly moving online, accessibility is no longer optional.
Let us help you take the next step toward a more accessible and inclusive future in the field of education.
