Designing a Website for Accessibility in Higher Education

Creating an inclusive online experience is no longer optional—it’s essential. Ensuring your university website is accessible to all users not only upholds ethical and legal standards but also enhances user experience, student engagement, and recruitment outcomes.

In this blog post, we explore why accessible web design in higher education matters, how to ensure WCAG compliance, tips for designing for diverse student populations, and useful tools to help your team test and improve accessibility.

Why Web Accessibility Matters in Higher Education

Your university website is often the first point of contact for prospective students. If students with disabilities cannot access your course information, application forms or virtual learning tools, you risk excluding a significant portion of your audience.

Being WCAG compliant (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) ensures your institution meets global accessibility standards. In the UK, universities are also required to comply with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) Accessibility Regulations 2018 (legislation contents), which align with WCAG 2.1 Level AA.

Web accessibility for universities isn’t just about ticking boxes. It’s about enabling equal access to education, resources, and community.

Designing for Diverse Student Populations

Modern student cohorts are incredibly diverse, encompassing individuals with a range of physical, cognitive, visual, auditory, and learning differences. An accessible university website considers this diversity by applying inclusive design principles from the start.

Here are a few best practices:

• Keyboard navigation: Ensure all site functions can be accessed via keyboard for users who can’t use a mouse.
• Screen reader compatibility: Use semantic HTML and ARIA labels to ensure screen readers interpret content correctly.
• Clear content structure: Use headings (H1, H2, H3, etc.) logically to help all users—especially those using assistive technologies—navigate your pages.
• Color contrast and font size: Maintain a strong contrast ratio and provide resizable text to improve readability.
• Descriptive links and buttons: Avoid vague phrases like “click here”. Instead, make links descriptive, e.g. “Download undergraduate prospectus (PDF)”.

Ultimately, designing for diverse student populations improves usability for everyone, not just those with identified accessibility needs.

Tools and Plugins to Improve Website Accessibility

There are several tools available to help ensure your university site meets accessibility standards. These include:

• WAVE (Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool) – Analyses web pages and highlights potential accessibility issues.
• axe DevTools – A browser extension that allows for automated and manual accessibility testing.
• Lighthouse (built into Chrome DevTools) – Offers an accessibility score and highlights quick wins.
• WP Accessibility Plugin – A WordPress plugin offering features like skip links, image alt text reminders, and colour contrast tools.
• UserWay and EqualWeb – Widgets that add accessibility functions such as text resizing, dyslexia-friendly fonts, and voice navigation.

For WordPress-based sites, incorporating accessibility plugins for WordPress can be a cost-effective way to meet baseline standards, but should always complement—not replace—manual reviews and good design practices.

Final Thoughts on Accessible Web Design in HE

Prioritising accessible web design in higher education not only ensures legal compliance but also supports your institution’s mission to provide inclusive, equitable learning environments. It enhances SEO, broadens your recruitment reach, and reflects your commitment to student success.

Need help building a compliant and inclusive website for your university? Get in touch at hello@nextlevelhighered.com to find out how we can help your institution reach the right students, in the right places, at the right time.