How Short-Sighted Anti-DEI Policies Harm Website Quality

The Trump administration’s recent moves to dismantle DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programs feel especially insidious. While overtly harmful policies like those targeting LGBTQIA+ rights and women’s healthcare are receiving much of the attention, the rollback of DEI initiatives poses a quieter threat. By silently eroding the digital infrastructure we all depend on, these changes create barriers to essential services such as filing taxes online, accessing municipal resources, and navigating government websites—all while perpetuating the bizarre notion that inclusion is somehow a bad thing.

Opponents of DEI argue that these initiatives are costly, unnecessary, or divisive. But data tells a different story:

Accessible websites improve SEO, leading to 50% more traffic
Companies with inclusive practices are 1.7 times more likely to lead in innovation
The purchasing power of people with disabilities exceeds $8 trillion annually

Far from being a burden, DEI-driven practices yield tangible benefits for organizations while ensuring equitable access for users. Removing these initiatives, as the Trump administration has done, isn’t saving resources—it’s creating inefficiencies and alienating entire demographics.

From poorly designed forms that fail to accommodate screen readers to navigation that excludes keyboard users, the removal of inclusivity standards creates obstacles that disproportionately affect older adults, individuals with disabilities, low-income communities, and people who can only access online spaces from their phone.

Examples of Real-World Scenarios Tied to DEI Rollbacks

Of course, we can’t predict all of the ways in which anti-DEI sentiment will impact people using the internet in the U.S. (and those accessing U.S.-based websites from other countries), but here are a few possible outcomes:

Can’t file online taxes or access government services
Can’t access information for homeowners and local businesses seeking to submit online applications for permits, licenses, etc.
Can’t interact with municipal services like public utilities (water, electricity, gas)
Can’t check out library eBooks and access public library membership account

‍Tax Filing and Access to Government Services

Many Americans are now required to file taxes online, but without robust DEI and accessibility practices, these platforms could leave people behind:

Older adults, many of whom already struggle with technology, would face even greater challenges if forms and navigation weren’t optimized for accessibility
Those with disabilities could encounter unfillable forms, non-semantic markup, or inaccessible error messages that block them from completing their filings

The Result: Increased frustration, missed deadlines, and reliance on expensive third-party services that should be unnecessary.

Municipal Websites and Essential Public Services

DEI efforts have historically ensured that municipal websites serve everyone equally, from those accessing affordable housing applications to individuals paying utility bills. If these standards are removed:

People who rely on screen readers might find themselves locked out of critical services
Limited mobile optimization could hinder those who rely solely on smartphones for internet access, disproportionately affecting low-income users

The Result: A direct impact on daily life, especially for marginalized communities.

Libraries and Educational Resources

Public libraries have increasingly shifted resources online, offering digital catalogs, research databases, and virtual learning tools. DEI policies ensure these tools are accessible to all, regardless of disability or socioeconomic status. Without these standards:

Students with learning disabilities could struggle to access digital textbooks or research materials
Patrons with visual impairments might lose access to online catalogs, cutting them off from resources they depend on

The Result: A widening educational gap and reduced public access to knowledge.

Debunking Anti-DEI Myths

To justify the inhumane anti-DEI orders by the Trump administration, several myths have been popularized. Concerns about DEI being unnecessary, a drain on resources, or, most absurdly, that it contributes to less equality, are not evidence-based and demonstrably false. Let’s address these misconceptions now from a website accessibility perspective.

Myth 1: DEI initiatives are bureaucratic and expensive.

Reality: Accessibility practices improve user experience for everyone. Designing accessible websites boosts SEO, increases traffic, and results in higher conversions—proven ROI for both businesses and government. The cost of ignoring DEI often far outweighs the investment in inclusive design, as inaccessible platforms lead to inefficiencies, legal challenges, and lost opportunities.

Myth 2: DEI causes division.

Reality: DEI fosters inclusivity. Accessible websites don’t create division; they eliminate barriers, ensuring equal access for all users, regardless of ability, background, or socioeconomic status.

Myth 3: DEI contributes to less equality by prioritizing specific groups over others.

Reality: DEI doesn’t prioritize one group at the expense of others—it ensures that everyone, regardless of ability or circumstance, has equal access to digital spaces. Practices like accessible navigation, readable text, and mobile responsiveness benefit all users, not just those in traditionally marginalized groups. By breaking down systemic barriers, DEI levels the playing field, creating more equitable experiences for everyone, from older adults to individuals with disabilities to tech-savvy professionals. Far from creating inequality, DEI ensures fairness and usability for all.

What Does DEI Have to Do With Website Design?

The principles of DEI are deeply intertwined with designing accessible websites. Their tenets revolve around:

Better Usability: Websites with clear navigation, proper color contrast, and readable fonts benefit all users, not just those with disabilities
Inclusive Content: Accessible content, written in plain language, ensures clarity for users of all literacy levels and cognitive abilities
Improved Responsiveness: DEI encourages design that works on all devices, benefiting people who rely on mobile phones for internet access

The intersection of website accessibility, UX design, and DEI initiatives can be easily observed, as the best practices for each discipline are well-documented. So, as a UX strategist and person who values equal human rights, I can confidently say that without a doubt, rolling back DEI programs will not only harm marginalized communities but also degrade the overall quality of online experiences with poorly designed digital spaces that exclude large portions of the population.

Worse, it sets a dangerous precedent for large companies that look to government leadership to justify cutting so-called “non-essentials” like DEI. This shift threatens to undermine years of progress in creating equitable digital spaces and limits future progress.

The consequences of failing to create inclusive online spaces are numerous, but the biggest ones to watch out for are:

Barriers to Essential Services: Without accessible design, millions of people—particularly those with disabilities or limited digital literacy—may be unable to access vital services like tax filing, public benefits applications, or municipal bill payments
Widening Inequality: Excluding marginalized groups from online resources exacerbates existing social and economic disparities, making it harder for these individuals to fully participate in society
Decreased Trust in Public Institutions: When government websites are difficult to navigate or outright inaccessible, public trust in these institutions erodes, leading to frustration and disengagement
Hindered Innovation and Engagement: Inclusive design doesn’t just benefit specific groups—it improves usability for everyone. Neglecting these principles reduces engagement, usability, and innovation in online spaces, negatively impacting all users
Economic Costs: Poorly designed, inaccessible websites lead to inefficiencies and lost opportunities for both public and private entities, including lower conversion rates and higher costs associated with troubleshooting and redesigning web platforms
Setting a Dangerous Precedent for Businesses: When government entities deprioritize DEI and accessibility, it sets a harmful example for companies looking to cut costs. This can lead businesses to undervalue inclusive design, resulting in inaccessible websites that drive away potential customers. The consequences include lost revenue, reduced engagement, lower conversion rates for online sales, and fewer leads generated through websites that aren't user-friendly. Ultimately, neglecting accessibility harms the bottom line and limits growth opportunities in an increasingly digital market

Don't Abandon DEI

The dismantling of DEI by the federal government is short-sighted and detrimental to society, but businesses and organizations can lead by example. Just because policymakers are abandoning these principles doesn’t mean you should.

Companies that prioritize accessibility—driven by DEI—reap tangible benefits:

Increased Engagement: Accessible websites draw in a broader audience.
Boost Conversions: Inclusive design leads to more sales and sign-ups.
Build Brand Loyalty: Consumers notice and reward companies that value equity.

Let’s not fall into the trap of believing that DEI is harmful. The data is clear: diversity, equity, and inclusion, particularly in website accessibility, improve digital experiences for everyone.

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