When your school website plans for a more inclusive user experience (UX), it sends a strong message: Every visitor is valued, every story matters, and every member of your school community is welcomed.

Since your school’s website is often the first point of contact for families, staff, and students, it's crucial to create a space that reflects your school’s mission, culture, and commitment to representation in all its forms; families with a diverse range of experiences, backgrounds, and needs.

Let's take a look at how an online presence that’s inclusive, accessible, and representative has the power to shape not only the perception of your school but also the experiences of those who interact with it.

School Website Accessibility

As so many US websites go live in time for the new academic year, it's important to remember that school web accessibility is an ongoing process. Just like your school's website, it's never "done." It's a constant effort that goes above and beyond doing the right thing, and it’s the law as declared by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

There may be more website users living with hearing, vision, cognitive, or mobility issues than you’d think. Twelve percent of adults ages 35-64 report having a disability, but that number grows to 24% for those between 65-74 and to nearly half (46%) of Americans who are 75 and older, according to a recent Census Bureau survey.

At its core, ADA school website compliance means that every user, regardless of their abilities, can navigate and interact with your website efficiently, and with the latest Title II updates, many K-12 public schools will soon need to meet accessibility standards or face the possibility of fines.

Making Your Web Content Accessible to All

Web content accessibility guidelines (WCAG) ensure that all users, including those with disabilities, can navigate, understand, and interact with your site. This includes:

• Text Readability: Using clear fonts and contrast between text and background colors.
• Alternative Text for Images: Providing descriptive text for images so screen readers can interpret them for visually impaired users.
• Keyboard Navigation: Ensuring users can navigate your website using a keyboard or other assistive devices if they can't use a mouse.
• Closed Captions and Transcripts: Including captions for audio and video content to assist deaf or hard-of-hearing users.

Ladue School District proudly outlines its DEI initiatives, but the district also makes web browsing easier for individuals with disabilities with control over contrasts, text sizes, fonts, and more through the assistive technology of AudioEye’s accessibility software.

Diversity

Your school community is diverse, and your website should reflect that in both its imagery and content. By showcasing students, families, and staff from different backgrounds, ethnicities, and experiences, you show that your school is a place where everyone has a place. 

Offer content that resonates with your school's actual population. This includes imagery, but it also means including language translation options, culturally relevant content, and even outreach to underrepresented groups. By doing so, your website communicates that every person's background and experience are not only acknowledged but celebrated.

Besides, Millennials and Gen Z want and expect to see diversity. Recent data showed that 76% of job seekers and employees said a diverse workforce was important when considering companies, and more than a third (37%) said they wouldn’t apply to a company with negative ratings among people of color.

Within its student life pages, Canadian International School details how it values inclusivity within its community, reinforced by imagery and videos, and ties its efforts back to its vision and mission statement. 

Keep Reading: How to Support School Diversity Goals Throughout the Admissions Process

Diversity in Your Website Content and UX

Diversity in your website design and content means showcasing stories, images, and information that reflect the variety of backgrounds, cultures, and experiences within your school community. This can mean:

• Diverse Imagery: Use photos and visuals that represent the accurate diversity of your student body and staff.
• Inclusive Language: Use language that includes all genders, cultures, and backgrounds.
• Highlighting Diverse Programs: Showcase programs that support diverse groups, like language learning opportunities, cultural clubs, and inclusive events.

The Little School highlights its diversity and inclusion efforts by outlining its mission and vision for a diverse school community, and with quotes and DEI statistics about the makeup of its community, it proudly puts those numbers front and center.

St. John Bosco High School blogs about the benefits of a diverse school community, but the site also uses Weglot, Finalsite's preferred partner for translation software. With a click, a site’s content can be translated into over 100 languages, extending your school’s welcome to a wider, more diverse group of users and families.

Representation

Your website is a powerful platform for representing the voices within your school. Whether through testimonials, blog posts, or student profiles, you can highlight different perspectives and lived experiences.

For prospective families, seeing authentic representation can create a deeper connection and even more confidence in choosing your school as a place where their child will be valued and supported.

Content might direct international students to resources about local culture or highlight affinity groups where students can share common experiences. Regardless, the photos on your website should represent your school's actual level of diversity.

Representation Matters

Representation on your school website means that the stories, achievements, and voices of all community members are visible and celebrated. This includes:

• Spotlight on Success: Share success stories of students and staff from various backgrounds.
• Accessible Leadership: Include information about your school's leadership and how they value inclusivity and diversity.
• Community Engagement: Highlight ways your school engages with different community groups and supports local initiatives.

Aspen Academy recaps its recent news and events celebrating inclusivity, diversity, and different cultures with blog posts, which are a great way to demonstrate the ways your school is supporting diversity and representation through its programming.

Keep Reading: Location, Location, Location: Blending School Culture with Web Design

Kansas City Public Schools does a great job at representing its diverse community through content on its homepage. Volunteerism, mentorship, and community partnerships all help represent the diversity of thought, culture, and demographics that make the district shine.

Key Takeaway

Making your school's website more welcoming and representative sends a message that everyone matters so that every family, current or future, knows they have a place in your school. By focusing on making your website accessible, diverse, and representative, you’re actively supporting your recruitment and retention efforts and inviting everyone to join you in an inclusive user experience.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Connor has spent the last decade within the field of marketing and communications, working with independent schools and colleges throughout New England. As Finalsite’s Senior Content Marketing Manager, Connor plans and executes marketing strategies and digital content across the web. A former photojournalist, he has a passion for digital media, storytelling, coffee, and creating content that connects.