Human Matters
Creating Digital Inclusion for All: Inclusive Web Design Success Story
Shelley, the visionary behind Human Matters, established her HR consultancy with a clear mission: to transform workplace cultures through people-centred policies and practices. With extensive experience across various industries, Human Matters specialises in delivering bespoke HR solutions that genuinely reflect the diversity of modern workforces.
As an HR professional deeply committed to equality and inclusion, Shelley understood that her digital presence needed to embody the same values she championed for her clients. Her existing website wasn’t reflecting her commitment to accessibility and diversity, creating a disconnect between her professional expertise and online representation.
The Challenge:
When Shelley came to us through a referral from another satisfied client, she faced several key challenges with her existing website:
Lack of Clarity: The previous site wasn’t clearly communicating her services or expertise, making it difficult for potential clients to understand how Human Matters could help them.
Outdated Imagery: The website featured generic stock photography that didn’t represent the diverse workplaces she served, undermining her credibility as an inclusion specialist.
Poor User Experience: Navigation was confusing and the site didn’t provide the seamless experience that modern users expect, particularly those with accessibility needs.
Misaligned Values: Most critically, the website wasn’t accessible to all users, which directly contradicted Shelley’s mission of creating inclusive workplace environments.
For an HR consultancy specialising in diversity and inclusion, having a website that wasn’t itself inclusive was not just a missed opportunity, it was a fundamental misalignment with core business values.
Our Approach:
We began our inclusive web design process by conducting extensive research into accessibility standards and best practices. Our goal was to ensure the website would meet WCAG 2.1 AA compliance requirements whilst delivering an exceptional user experience for all visitors.
Technical Excellence: Our development team implemented proper colour contrast ratios, keyboard navigation functionality, and comprehensive screen reader compatibility throughout the site architecture. We integrated the UserWay accessibility plugin, providing specialised tools for users with various needs, including motor impairments, visual impairments, dyslexia, cognitive disabilities, and ADHD.
Authentic Visual Identity: Rather than relying on typical stock photography, we curated a carefully selected library of diverse imagery that authentically represented workplace diversity across age, ethnicity, gender, and ability. Every visual element was chosen to portray genuine human interactions in professional settings.
User-Centred Design: Our UX/UI specialists created intuitive navigation and clear information architecture, ensuring that all potential clients could easily find the information they needed, regardless of their technical ability or accessibility requirements.
Services We Delivered
The Results:
When Shelley came to us through a referral from another satisfied client, she faced several key challenges with her existing website:
Lack of Clarity: The previous site wasn’t clearly communicating her services or expertise, making it difficult for potential clients to understand how Human Matters could help them.
Outdated Imagery: The website featured generic stock photography that didn’t represent the diverse workplaces she served, undermining her credibility as an inclusion specialist.
Poor User Experience: Navigation was confusing and the site didn’t provide the seamless experience that modern users expect, particularly those with accessibility needs.
Misaligned Values: Most critically, the website wasn’t accessible to all users, which directly contradicted Shelley’s mission of creating inclusive workplace environments.
For an HR consultancy specialising in diversity and inclusion, having a website that wasn’t itself inclusive was not just a missed opportunity, it was a fundamental misalignment with core business values.
Client testimonial:
From start to finish the website design, build, go live and support I got from Emily, Rebecca and Dan was outstanding! Great experience and would highly recommend!
Shelley Vaisey
Founder and Managing Partner
Human Matters
This project perfectly exemplifies our approach to inclusive web design. We didn’t just create a website that looked good—we crafted a digital experience that truly serves all users whilst aligning perfectly with our client’s values and business objectives.
What made this project particularly rewarding was seeing how the inclusive web design became an extension of Shelley’s professional expertise. The website doesn’t just tell potential clients about Human Matters’ commitment to inclusion—it demonstrates it through every interaction.
The integration of accessibility features wasn’t an afterthought or compliance checkbox; it was central to our design philosophy from day one. This approach ensures that the website serves as a genuine reflection of the inclusive workplace cultures that Shelley helps organisations create.
Ready to Transform Your Digital Presence?
If your organisation is committed to diversity and inclusion, shouldn’t your website reflect those values too? Our inclusive web design expertise can help you create a digital presence that truly serves all users whilst driving your business goals forward.
At Eighty3, we listen to your needs, provide exceptional service, and genuinely care about your success. As accessibility becomes increasingly important in the digital
landscape, we’re here to ensure your website not only meets current standards but positions you as a leader in inclusive design.
Contact us today to discover how our inclusive web design services can transform your online presence and help you reach every potential client, regardless of their abilities.
