Digital Accessibility Coordinator

Wilfrid Laurier University; Southwestern Ontario; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university in Ontario is seeking a Digital Accessibility Coordinator to enhance digital accessibility across platforms. The role involves collaborating with various units, developing procedures, and delivering training. Ideal candidates will have a related bachelor's degree, 4+ years of experience in digital accessibility, and strong project management skills. This is a full-time position with competitive pay, reflecting Laurier's commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 4 years of experience in digital accessibility or a related role.
• Strong knowledge of accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG 2.1 AA, AODA).
• Experience in higher education settings.

Responsibilities

• Lead efforts to ensure digital accessibility across enterprise platforms.
• Conduct regular accessibility audits of digital content and websites.
• Create and deliver comprehensive accessibility training for faculty and staff.

Skills

Project management

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Collaboration

Detail-oriented

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Certification in accessibility

Tools

SiteImprove

Blackboard Ally

Job description

Department: Information and Comm. Technologies

Job Type: Continuing

Full-time/Part-time: Full Time (>=1249 hrs/year)

Campus: Waterloo

Reports to: Associate Director Strategic Initiatives and Communication

Employee Group: WLUSA

Position Summary

Reporting to the Associate Director, Strategic Initiatives and Communications and serving as a key member of the Information & Communication Technologies (ICT) team, the Digital Accessibility Coordinator will lead efforts to ensure digital accessibility across enterprise platforms and technologies while collaborating with units across Laurier. This role involves developing and implementing accessibility procedures, training programs, and prioritized initiatives to create an inclusive digital environment for students, faculty, staff, and external partners.

Accountabilities

Policy, Standards & Compliance

• Collaborate with subject matter experts to develop and update digital accessibility policies and guidelines ensuring AODA and Ontario Human Rights Code compliance
• Monitor and report on compliance with accessibility standards across Laurier's digital properties
• Enhance processes for verifying vendor accessibility claims within existing procurement frameworks (PSIA, HECVAT)

Assessment & Quality Assurance

• Conduct regular accessibility audits of digital content, websites, and Learning Management Systems using tools like SiteImprove
• Evaluate software and applications (both legacy systems and new purchases) for accessibility compliance
• Identify accessibility issues, provide remediation recommendations, and maintain systematic monitoring processes
• Track audit results and report progress to impacted units

Education & Support Services

• Create and deliver comprehensive accessibility training (virtual courses, workshops) for faculty and staff
• Develop educational resources including guides, checklists, and best practices
• Provide ongoing consultation and support for creating accessible digital content, course materials, and documents
• Collaborate with departments (Teaching and Learning, Accessible Learning, Library and others) to integrate accessibility into their practices

Project Leadership & Community Engagement

• Lead prioritized accessibility projects including LMS content review, website remediation, and document accessibility
• Coordinate project teams, manage timelines and budgets, and track key performance indicators
• Recruit, train, and supervise co-op students in accessibility assessment techniques and remediation processes
• Coordinate project teams including co-op students, manage task delegation, timelines and budgets, and track key performance indicators
• Provide mentorship and professional development opportunities for co-op students in digital accessibility practices
• Advocate for digital accessibility culture through awareness campaigns, events, and workshops
• Represent Laurier in external accessibility forums and engage with the disability community for feedback and continuous improvement

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field (e.g., Information Technology, Education, Accessibility Studies).
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in digital accessibility or a related role.
• Certification in accessibility (e.g., CPACC, WAS).
• Strong knowledge of accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG 2.1 AA, AODA).
• Experience with accessibility auditing tools (e.g., SiteImprove, Blackboard Ally).
• Excellent project management and organizational skills.
• Detail-oriented with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Passion for inclusion and equity in digital environments
• Ability to conduct audits and prepare detailed reports with actionable recommendations
• Experience in higher education settings.
• Familiarity with LMS platforms and web development
• Effective communication and training skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams and stakeholders.
• Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Hours of Work: This position is full-time, continuing. The normal hours of work are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday.

Compensation: $42.32 to $44.74 per hour with an annual step progression on anniversary date up to $48.37 per hour.

Equity, diversity and creating a culture of inclusion are part of Laurier’s core values and central to the Laurier Strategy. Laurier is committed to increasing the diversity of faculty and staff and welcomes applications from candidates who identify as Indigenous, racialized, having disabilities, and from persons of any minority sexual and gender identities.