Few employers would dream of intentionally excluding disabled candidates. But, discriminatory and inaccessible recruiting practices persist. So, try using accessible job description tools to keep your job ads inclusive.
Recruiters may not be aware of how their everyday decisions can affect a person’s ability to apply for a job. And inaccessible job descriptions can affect more candidates than you think. 27% of Americans live with some form of disability.
When we talk about accessibility in hiring, we’re usually thinking about how people with disabilities face extra challenges in finding good jobs. But it’s not just about them. Everyone can struggle if the hiring process isn’t fair and easy to navigate. That’s why it’s important to look at accessibility from different angles. Think about how a person’s different identities might affect their job search experience.
So, to help you review and improve accessibility in recruiting, we have selected the 6 best accessible job description tools on the market. Read on for our full list!
Why accessibility in recruitment is so important
- Accessibility affects everyone. Whether someone has a disability or not, it’s tough for anyone when job descriptions and applications are hard to use. If a job description uses a tricky font, it’s not just a problem for people who use screen readers. It can also be tough for folks with dyslexia or poor eyesight. So, keep things simple and clear in your job descriptions. That way, you won’t accidentally push away the very people you’re trying to hire.
- Accessibility is the law. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits employment discrimination against disabled people. It also requires that employers make reasonable accommodations for candidates and employees. Ignoring or overlooking accessibility issues in your recruiting process could leave your organization vulnerable to legal liability. Learn more about the ADA and its requirements for employers on the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission website.
- Ensuring accessibility is the right thing to do! Disabled people are qualified, hardworking, and desirable candidates. Legally and ethically, it is unjust to exclude disabled folks from the recruiting process by using inaccessible technology or otherwise discriminating against them.
Accessible Job Description Tools #1: Ongig
Ongig’s Text Analyzer tool is your all-in-one accessible job description solution. You can use this tool to review the text of your job descriptions for accessibility. You can use it to maintain, update, and manage a large catalog of job descriptions across a variety of platforms, the Text Analyzer can scale with your business needs.
Text Analyzer automatically scans job descriptions for language that is gendered, racially coded, or biased against people with disabilities. This feature is very useful for language that is common in daily conversations, but that can have negative or biased connotations. For example, disability activists have called for folks to remove “lame” from their vocabulary as a word that describes something uncool.
The Text Analyzer also includes structures to help recruiters standardize formatting and style for job descriptions. Consistent formats help ensure job descriptions are accessible with screen readers and other assistive technology. It also includes an option to lock formatting and sections at an enterprise level. This way you can be sure that employees across your organization follow accessibility and inclusivity guidelines.
Ongig’s Text Analyzer has also undergone a comprehensive accessibility review process. This ensures that our website is fully accessible. It also ensures that the Text Analyzer and other job description tools are accessible to those with disabilities. Read more about the steps we’ve taken and our commitment to accessible hiring tools here.
Accessible Job Description Tools #2: Greenhouse
Chances are, you have heard of or used the hiring tool Greenhouse. This HRIS tool helps businesses, from small or midsize to enterprise level, manage job postings, job descriptions, and the hiring process. Their infrastructure is significant and used by businesses in many different industries. One of Greenhouse’s fundamental principles is accessibility.
They have voluntarily undergone accessibility audits. They also invite users who face accessibility problems with their website to contact them directly. They see web design as an opportunity to improve the user experience for disabled folks. Read more about their accessibility commitments here.
Accessible Job Description Tools #3: Workable
Workable is an applicant tracking system that also offers job description management tools. They are committed to creating tools that are accessible with a variety of assistive technologies. They approach accessibility with a multi-faceted approach, from development audits to exploring how to create user-friendly web design for disabled users.
Learn more about their accessibility features and review process here.
Accessible Job Description Tools #4: WAVE
The Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool (WAVE) is a free tool created by the Institute for Disability Research, Policy, and Practice at Utah State University. It allows you to test web pages, such as job description pages, for accessibility and compliance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WACG). They offer an API and a free browser extension.
They also partner with PopeTech, the enterprise-level equivalent solution for companies who want to analyze their website accessibility on a larger scale, rather than one web page at a time.
Accessible Job Description Tools #5: Monsido
Monsido is a website optimization and compliance tool that continuously evaluates your website for accessibility. It also has features that check for security, SEO, and branding. We like that Monsido is a multi-use tool that can combine multiple software solutions in one, without compromising on the accessibility features they offer.
Monsido scans for compliance with WACG and the ADA. It integrates with many other software solutions for seamless use. Also, their accessibility scan and correction features are super easy to use.
Accessible Job Description Tools #6: AudioEye
AudioEye is a scalable accessibility solution. They offer continuous monitoring of your site and easy fixes when accessibility problems are located.
Unlike some other web accessibility tools, they also partner with disabled people who can audit your website with a variety of assistive technologies and aids. We like their human-focused solutions and the fact that they offer a free comprehensive accessibility audit to get started.
Any employer concerned about inclusivity in recruitment should take accessibility seriously. Luckily, there is a wide variety of accessible job description tools on the market that can make your hiring process more inclusive. Whether you’re looking to create hiring infrastructure that employees can use without barriers, or ensuring your careers site is accessible with assistive technologies, you’re sure to find a solution that fits your needs.
Why I wrote this:
Accessibility is an often-overlooked but critical aspect of corporate DE&I. Learn how to make your job descriptions more accessible with six accessible job description tools. Ready to see Ongig’s Text Analyzer in action? Request a demo today!
