Access to digital services and applications is a civil and a universal human right. Therefore, no other justification should be necessary for investing time and resources into making technology usable for people with disabilities. Apart from upholding this fundamental human right, ensuring accessibility also benefits every user and can provide a range of business, marketing, and product advantages. This section will contextualize and discuss these benefits for Homerun.
“To enable persons with disabilities to live independently and participate fully in all aspects of life, States Parties shall take appropriate measures to ensure to persons with disabilities access, on an equal basis with others, to the physical environment, to transportation, to information and communications, including information and communications technologies and systems, and to other facilities and services open or provided to the public, both in urban and in rural areas.” — Excerpt from Article 9 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)
An accessible hiring platform ensures that all potential candidates, regardless of their abilities or disabilities, can engage fully with the application process, creating a more equitable hiring environment. It broadens the talent pool by not excluding those who have visual, auditory, motor, or cognitive disabilities.
Given that creating a robust talent pool and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) are integral goals of People Operations and HR teams, the accessibility of the hiring platform becomes pivotal.
In several markets, such as the US, Canada, and the UK, and with forthcoming EU regulations in 2025, digital accessibility is legally mandated to some degree for the public and private sector as well. This makes compliance with digital accessibility laws & regulations a key consideration when selecting hiring platforms.
Considering these and Homerun's commendable commitment to DE&I, – as evidenced by their comprehensive guide on the subject – it's clear that eliminating technical accessibility barriers from the platform is both a natural and necessary progression.
Homerun’s guide on DE&I
Any accessibility barriers present within the core platform would invariably influence every user's site, thereby amplifying both the scope of their impact and the responsibility that comes with it.
By striving to be the most accessible hiring platform in the market, Homerun can not only propel its mission and make it’s product more differentiated and desirable, but also underscore its commitment to social responsibility.
Improving accessibility is essential for many, but the benefits extend to everyone, as disabilities can be temporary or situational.
Permanent, temporary and situational disabilities
Adequate contrast improves readability not just for those with low vision, but also for anyone using their smartphone in bright sunlight - like someone reading a job posting while commuting. Similarly, keyboard accessibility doesn't only benefit individuals who are unable to use a pointer device, but also those frequently filling out forms, such as job applicants.
Accessibility features, in this sense, benefit everyone and enhance the overall user experience.