Digital Accessibility in Scholarship Platform Design
Today, the education dreams of many students are a reality because of the immense opportunities and scholarships available.
Scholarships help to bridge gaps by providing financial backing. Most people overlook the challenge that scholarship platforms pose when they are hard to access.
Students from all backgrounds, together with individuals with disabilities, can quickly complete scholarship applications through an inclusive platform that features proper design.
The implementation of accessibility represents an absolute requirement since it enables full equality between users, enhances their experience, and conforms to worldwide digital accessibility guidelines.
WHO indicates that 1 billion people currently endure disability, which is 15 per cent of the global population.
According to National Centre for Education Statistics data, 57% of scholarship applicants come from low-income backgrounds. That's a considerable number, and we need digital platforms that support the needs of users with different needs.
When accessibility features are absent from scholarship platforms, deserving students face an exclusion barrier, which prevents them from obtaining scholarships to continue their education.
This article studies the fundamental role of digital accessibility in scholarship platform development while documenting the current challenges, legal requirements, business advantages, and expected future developments.
- Accessible scholarship platforms ensure equitable application opportunities for all students, including those with disabilities.
- 1 billion people globally face disabilities, highlighting the importance of inclusive digital design.
- Over 50% of scholarship applicants come from disadvantaged backgrounds needing user-friendly platforms.
- Incorporating digital accessibility increases user engagement and completion rates for applications.
- Compliance with accessibility laws fosters equality and enhances the reputation of scholarship providers.
What is Accessibility in Education?

Accessibility in Education guarantees equal opportunities and access to all pupils, regardless of their cognitive, sensory, physical, or other disabilities. It promises that disabled students can effectively get the same information and engage with the same interactions as their peers.
The main motive is to create an inclusive learning environment for the students where they can flourish and realise their maximum potential.
Accessibility would have typically addressed physical features, such as classrooms, laboratories, libraries, and other common areas, decades ago. At the physical level, accessibility can facilitate students with staircases, elevators, and disabled parking.
However, the digital world is now a more significant component of the educational experience in institutions, which presents a more intricate perspective on accessibility, with the growing demand for digital accessibility tools to assist individuals in accessing online resources and websites.
Who requires good accessibility standards?
Students with a disability require high-quality accessibility standards compared to students without them.
These accessibility standards aim to guarantee equal access and opportunities for every student.
As previously stated, digital accessibility is essential for individuals with disabilities, which are typically classified as sensory impairments, physical disabilities, developmental disabilities, and behavioural disabilities.
Autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia, visual/hearing impairments, and motor disabilities are among the most prevalent conditions.
Influence of Assistive Technology on Students in Special Education
This aspect is specifically essential for students who are experiencing a non-permanent disability, including a variety of conditions such as chronic illnesses, temporary vision loss, and fractured bones that impair mobility.
Students impacted by these disabilities must have access to the necessary resources to continue their Education during these challenging times, even though these are only transient conditions.
Nevertheless, students who are not native speakers of the language they are studying are among the most prevalent. This implies that the learner may easily misinterpret or lose context and information.
Other scenarios may necessitate a pupil being absent from the country for an extended period or unable to travel to the physical educational facility.
Remote learning can address this issue; however, it would necessitate robust website accessibility, as it would be conducted almost exclusively online.
What is the Need for Accessibility in Scholarship Platforms?

Scholarship Applicants: A Large Volume Comes from Disadvantaged Communities
University funding programs primarily assist students from economically disadvantaged groups, members of minority communities, or those with disabilities.
Students from underprivileged communities require scholarships for college enrollment and higher education benefits.
Scholarship platforms that lack inclusive design features induce obstacles that stop eligible students from applying for educational aid.
The UNESCO report reveals that 258 million children and young people worldwide do not attend school because they lack financial means.
Students from remote areas face problems accessing high-speed internet since their locations restrict them from efficiently dealing with complicated application procedures.
Moreover, people who don't speak English as their first language often encounter roadblocks since many platforms don't support multiple languages.
Students with thinking and learning challenges, like dyslexia, face hurdles when encountering messy layouts, hard-to-read fonts, and poor navigation setups.
In the same way, people with physical limitations need platforms that let them use a keyboard and other ways to input data. Failure to address these problems leads the system to exclude the targeted beneficiaries of its operational design.
Reaching More People Through Accessibility
Organisations that prioritise digital accessibility during scholarship platform creation reach more students while ensuring broad access to financial aid opportunities.
Forrester Research shows that accessible investments increase website visitor count by 50% compared to sites without accessibility measures. Users experience low frustration levels because of accessible platforms, leading them to submit their applications.
For instance, the Gates Millennium Scholars Program revamped its scholarship application website to comply with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1. This change had a significant impact: In the first year after the update, 30% more students with disabilities completed their applications.
A platform built for access benefits all users by improving the entire user experience and increasing total participant numbers.
Looking to Upscale your Clientele? Give 15 Ways to Improve Brand Perception a Read!
What Makes a Scholarship Platform Accessible?

Accessible Design is Just Better Design
Good design techniques reinforce accessible operations. The application platform works effectively for all users because it is designed to minimise usability barriers while better engaging potential candidates.
Digital accessibility includes visual, auditory, and interactive elements that foster movement through the platform.
Visual accessibility is critical to ensure that users with sight problems can use platforms that require high-contrast colours, images with alt text, and text reader options.
Audio accessibility is enabled through both video captioning and text-based audio versions for content. Users with movement disabilities find an advantage in using platforms with large, prominent buttons and voice commands that guide their operation.
Platform accessibility features failed to satisfy more than 69% of users, based on WebAIM Report results from 2023. These results indicate the essential need for inclusive design in every product.
Microsoft's Inclusive Design Research found that users who found digital accessibility features experienced a 35% increase in their engagement rate. Users with disabilities, alongside every applicant, benefit from greater engagement levels.
Essential Features of a Scholarship Platform
Complete scholarship platforms that ensure accessibility incorporate diverse critical functions, enabling all users to obtain access to the platform. Users with motor impairments can navigate between platform elements through keyboard commands since this function is considered one of the essential platform features.
Text enlargement functions must be implemented on these platforms to serve low-vision users and enhance platform usability and overall user experience.
Mobile application suitability is a vital consideration for the system. Statista reports that 72% of scholarship applicants prioritise mobile devices when choosing their devices.
Many applicants struggle with platform accessibility because non-mobile-friendly applications present obstacles to granting access and completing forms.
Also, to minimise confusion with the application acceptance process, applicants should be able to receive specific error messages for particular mistakes.
Such platforms should have alternative authentication methods, such as biometric or email logins, as users who have difficulties with standard CAPTCHAs may find them impossible to use. In addition, users who encounter such problems should receive prompt attention.
Therefore, real-time helpful assistance tools like chatbots can provide the needed guidance.
Digital Accessibility as an Issue Of Legal and Ethical Values

A Matter of Equality: Accessibility
Making scholarship opportunities available across various platforms is a matter of equity. Scholarships allow students to learn irrespective of where they come from; therefore, these platforms must be inclusive.
Lack of digital inclusiveness harms many students with disabilities and can perpetuate educational gaps. Accessibility is the right thing to do, enabling institutions to promote equality.
The Need For Legal Digital Accessibility
Discrimination is the American government, and many organisations try to curb it by promoting digital accessibility. In America, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act are famous for their stipulations for any digital service.
Likewise, the European Accessibility Act (EAA) and the UK's Equality Act 2010 have laid down provisions for digital accessibility. Legal responsibility, fines, and damage to public image are some consequences of non-compliance.
For example 2019, Harvard University was sued because it could not provide closed captions for some of its online courses.
This case set a precedent, urging educational institutions and scholarship providers to integrate digital accessibility features proactively.
The Business Case for Accessibility
Building Trust & Credibility with Your Target Audience
Accessibility serves ethical purposes and enhances position because it builds a superior brand reputation for scholarship providers.
Scholarship platforms prioritising accessibility develop into user-friendly, diverse institutions that create equal opportunities for everyone. A user-friendly platform encourages students to recommend it to others, enhancing total platform engagement.
An organisation must establish trust with users to successfully maintain an applicant base for consecutive years. Scholarship providers can develop robust relationships with users through accessibility features because the implementation enables them to keep an academic reputation.
Future-Proofing Scholarship Platforms with Accessibility
Technology development brings new accessibility trends that scholarship platforms should adopt to remain at the forefront of their field.
Many scholarship providers embrace AI accessibility tools alongside voice-based application systems and mobile-first responsive design because these tools enforce essential digital accessibility.
These platforms maintain user experience and standard compliance through regular accessibility audits; continuous feedback helps them stay user-friendly.
5 Beneficial Tips for Accessibility in Scholarship Platform Design
Designing educational services and learning materials with digital accessibility in mind can be difficult, particularly if one has limited experience or exposure to best practices. The following are five of our most effective recommendations for improving accessibility in Education.

Feedback from Students
The students are the lifeblood of every educational institution worldwide, and their perspectives are significant. Accessibility should be no exception to the importance of collecting student feedback and responding to recommendations in nearly every aspect of Education.
Allowing students to share feedback on the new assistive technologies will be an effective method of determining the performance of the technological tools.
Furthermore, a valuable starting point for promoting accessibility adjustments is to inquire with students about the current accessibility challenges they are encountering and potential solutions.
Surveys and form submissions can also gather large-scale data regarding software performance, tools, resources, and learning materials. This enables educators to gain a comprehensive understanding of the factors that are and are not functioning well for their students.
Icon for Languages
Approximately 13% of the global population speaks English, with only 5% being native speakers. Thus, a significant portion of the worldwide population cannot access information written or presented in English without using translation tools.
Additionally, they are assured that their information is accurate and has not been misinterpreted or misconstrued. Nevertheless, the education provider must employ dependable translation technology to prevent the recurrence of the same issues.
Formatted Text for Accessibility
One of the most straightforward methods for organisations to begin addressing digital accessibility is to examine their pages' format. Examination of individual page elements on digital resources and school websites. Ensure that headings are appropriately formatted (h1, h2, h3, etc.), that the font is accessibility-friendly (Lexend, Arial, etc.), that the font size is readable (16px+), and that the user can zoom in and out of the page. These straightforward modifications to the layout of a page can help guarantee that individuals with a variety of disabilities can easily access and read the information. Learn more about Accessible Fonts or discover how dyslexia-friendly fonts can benefit your organisation.
Incorporate Software For Text to Speech Conversion
The impact of visual barriers to Education is immeasurable, as an estimated one billion individuals worldwide are affected by impaired vision or blindness. Text-to-speech software is one of the most effective methods for addressing this issue. Text-to-speech is an accessibility solution that converts written text into spoken syllables. A screen reader is an example of this technology.
Although the software is predominantly designed for individuals with visual impairments, it can also benefit those with learning difficulties or limited literacy skills. These individuals may encounter substantial problems when reading text for extended periods or with advanced text written at a high reading level.
Screen Reader and Audiobook Icon
Thousands of digital accessibility tools can be incorporated into the learning environment of schools, colleges, and universities. As previously indicated, the utilisation of student feedback will serve as a critical indicator of the necessity for accessibility tools. A recent study revealed that 84% of educators believe it is impossible to attain equity in Education without accessible learning tools. Additionally, 87% of educators think that accessible technology can assist them in providing more comprehensive support and understanding to all of their students. These statistics provide evidence of the increasing demand for digital accessibility in Education.
Let's understand this with a better explanation of what you must include in your scholarship platform design application:
What is the significance of applications?
Applications are not merely forms that must be completed; they enable organisations to gather essential information, ascertain eligibility, and identify students by the objectives of your scholarship or program. However, accumulating overwhelming data points can result in overly complex applications, which impede students rather than assist them.
Scholarship applications may include the following information:
- Basic contact information for students and their parents
- Information regarding demographics
- Academic credentials and educational background
- Financial necessity and familial concerns financial data
- Achievements and involvements (at school, in the community, at employment, and home)
- Character references and suggestions
- Essays (written, audiovisual, or short-answer)
- Electronic signatures, media, and FERPA consent documents
The intricacy of these applications can be overwhelming, particularly when additional barriers such as internet access, time constraints, or difficulty reaching recommenders exist, even for scholarships that cover only a portion of education costs.
Unintentional Obstacles: Actual Illustrations
Scholarship application procedures may inadvertently create obstacles that diminish completion rates. For example, UNCF conducted and published a study demonstrating the potential for excessively complex application processes to decrease student participation.
The study discovered that 36% of students identified time constraints as a significant impediment.
In comparison, 31% described the application process as exceedingly tricky.
Only sixteen per cent of the participants had access to the Internet, while 13% had limited access to recommenders and 12% had limited access to required documents.
Where Do We Go From Here?

Intent is the foundation of the process of enhancing application processes.
What is the objective of your program? To whom are you endeavouring to provide service? By establishing explicit objectives, it is possible to develop an application consistent with your mission and offer the most optimal experience for applicants.
Diverse objectives necessitate distinct methodologies. For instance
- Needs-based scholarships should prioritise financial needs and other pertinent demographic data.
- Academic achievement or particular talents may be the primary focus of programmatic scholarships.
- Emergency funds may necessitate quick, uncomplicated applications to offer immediate alleviation.
Student Application Form Important Questions
Student application must include the following details:
- Student Information
- Eligibility Criteria
- Student's Objective From the program
Additionally, it is crucial to evaluate what can be eliminated or simplified to facilitate the process. For example, eligibility could be automated to alleviate applicant frustration, or non-essential questions could be deferred to later phases of the selection process.
Knowing Student's Intent
Student Identification Applications should be designed to identify students who most closely align with the program's criteria, as per their choices. Here, questions that reflect the requirements and experiences of contemporary students will be included more accurately.
For instance, instead of soliciting extracurricular activities, you could ask, “What are your leisure activities outside of school?” Here, students will discuss work, responsibilities and other feelings and not restrict themselves by not participating in traditional school activities.
The following are a few examples of queries that can be used to delve deeper into the experiences of a student:
- “Explain a typical day in your life.”
- “Numerous students encounter obstacles during their academic careers.” What obstacles do you anticipate that may impede your progress, and how do you intend to address them?
- “Please provide an example of a challenge you have faced and the steps you took to overcome it.” What insights did you gain about yourself as a consequence?
- “Is there any information about you that you believe is crucial for us to know that we have not yet inquired about?”
Understanding the GenZ Students
While attending school, numerous pupils may be financially self-sufficient, have children, or work full-time. According to recent research, 74% of students demonstrate at least one of these characteristics. Knowing this diversity in your application process, you can guarantee that you engage students with every student and not limit them to the conventional student profile.
Wide Range of Backgrounds and Requirements
Scholarship applications should be accessible to students from various backgrounds and with varying requirements. The following are a few critical factors to consider:
- Confirming that the application platform is accessible to students with visual impairments and interoperable with screen readers. Involves readily navigable and keyboard-friendly designs, providing alt text for images and facilitating readability through colour contrast.
- Students who may not speak English as their first language or those with varying proficiency levels should be offered translations of the application in commonly spoken languages, as well as multilingual assistance resources and instructions to support applicants.
- Suppose you want students with cognitive disabilities to communicate more comfortably. In that case, it is essential to simplify the language used in questions and instructions and provide both written and video response options.
Tech Tips for the Application
- Choice questions: Questions regarding the program's objectives can simplify the process by automating eligibility checks.
- Identity questions: Ensure your application includes all students by offering appropriate options and respecting individual identities. We suggest that they be permitted to self-describe.
- By automating the eligibility process and matching students to opportunities, students do not squander time on opportunities for which they are not eligible. Include as many multiple-choice questions as feasible to facilitate more efficient screening and matching.
Collaborating AI
Enhancing Accessibility AI has the potential to considerably improve the efficiency and accessibility of scholarship applications. The primary methods by which AI can be of assistance are as follows:
- AI-powered chatbots provide real-time assistance during recommendations for the organisation, grammar, and clarity of the essays and short-answer responses of applicants.
- Offer them prompts that they can employ to generate content ideas.
Making Communication Better
Successful application processes necessitate clear communication. The following are a few suggestions:
- Instructional text should be provided to assist applicants in navigating the application process.
- Avoid the use of jargon.
- Employ modest reminders to complete sections or phrases of encouragement, such as “Students just like you have received this scholarship!” throughout the application.
Evaluating Your Application Process
Conduct tests to guarantee the efficacy of your application process. You can conduct focus groups or interview students about their experience with the application. Then, aggregate data will be evaluated following each cycle to determine its effectiveness and shortcomings.
Final Thoughts
Designing for accessibility goes beyond being a feature because it represents an essential requirement for every system.
Digital design inclusivity is vital to student success and educational equity; thus, scholarship providers must adopt this principle.
Scholarship platforms that implement accessibility standards and improved user experiences while using future-proof technologies enable all students to equally seek aid for pursuing higher education regardless of their background or ability.