Accessibility of Online Job Application and Recruitment Systems – Phase 1

Existing evidence suggests that persons with disabilities face inequality in accessing ICT and assistive technology. These inequalities are the result of the many barriers faced by persons with disabilities in accessing technology and in securing sources of income via a fair access to job opportunities. One key example of the barriers that persons with disabilities face in accessing the job market is that many online job application and recruitment systems do not contain accessible digital content and have not been designed and developed with ICT accessibility requirements in mind, which creates barriers for persons with disabilities to apply for jobs in conditions of equality.

For this reason, it is essential that employers ensure that their online job application and recruitment systems are accessible and usable for all individuals, including persons with disabilities, and that they become aware of the most common actions that could be undertaken to remove the barriers that limit the access of persons with disabilities to such systems.

The goal of this project was to provide guidance and develop the capacity of governments and UN agencies to design accessible online job application and recruitment systems, that are inclusive all persons, including persons with disabilities, and to additionally support them in the development of appropriate web accessibility policies and strategies. The project was designed to create awareness on the solutions and tools available to remove accessibility barriers and create equal opportunities for inclusive talent attraction and retention by  providing guidance and strengthening the capacity of employers from public and private sector, UN agencies and other stakeholders to ensure disability inclusion throughout their online recruitment processes.