Digital Accessibility Specialist

Apex Systems; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Digital Accessibility Specialist to enhance digital inclusivity. In this role, you will leverage your expertise in accessibility to assess and improve digital resources, ensuring compliance with industry standards. Collaborate with diverse teams to implement best practices and advocate for accessibility across the organization. This position offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on user experience while working in a dynamic environment. If you are passionate about making digital content accessible to all, this role is perfect for you.

Benefits

401K

Medical/Health Benefits

Weekly Pay

Direct Deposit

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in accessibility audits and policy development.
• Strong knowledge of WCAG standards and assistive technologies.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a subject matter expert on accessibility and develop resources.
• Conduct audits and provide training on accessibility standards.

Skills

Accessibility Audits

User Experience

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)

Assistive Technologies

Project Management

Customer Service

Communication Skills

Problem Solving

Education

W3C Digital Accessibility Foundations Course

Web Accessibility Specialist (WAS)

Certified Professional in Web Accessibility (CPWA)

Tools

WAVE toolbar

ARC Toolkit

Accessibility Insights for Web

WebAIM Contrast Checker

NVDA

JAWS

Dragon Naturally Speaking

ZoomText

Job description

Apex Systems is a world-class technology services business that incorporates industry insights and experience to deliver solutions that fulfill our clients’ digital visions.

Apex has an opportunity for a Digital Accessibility Specialist. For applicants who are interested in this opportunity, send your updated resume to Mike Konjoian, Account Manager, at [e-mail].

Here are the details:

Position: Digital Accessibility Specialist

**Candidates must already sit local within 2hrs of Boston, MA**

Duration: 12 months + possibility of extension

Rate: Negotiable Based on Experience

Summary of Job:

The Digital Accessibility Specialist serves as a subject matter expert on accessibility. They work closely with the Digital Accessibility Program Manager to assess the accessibility of all services and information.

The incumbent will develop relationships with staff to gain extensive institutional knowledge. This person will also work closely with content contributors, the Digital Services team, and other members of the IT staff to maintain standards for accessibility and usability regarding new development.

Tasks require a strong attention to detail and the ability to work under tight deadlines. The incumbent will manage multiple projects from concept through completion, adhering to schedules and budgets when appropriate.

Responsibilities:

• Interact with individuals at all levels of government and with vendors in a professional manner and ensure that customer service is maintained at the highest level.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on accessibility; develop accessibility resources pertaining to accessibility initiatives and policies.
• Identify relevant best practices and assist in the development of strategies to enhance the ability to provide accessible digital information and services.
• Provide audits of internal applications against the WCAG 2.1 A and AA standards.
• Remediate complex documents prior to posting.
• Assist Manager with the establishment of web content accessibility standards to be used agency-wide.
• Deliver accessibility training and technical support to employees.
• Collaborate with Digital Services team members to build and maintain a robust knowledge repository.
• Implement and lead the testing of digital assets. Coordinate testing and reporting on the accessibility of websites, forms, electronic documents, and applications to meet accessibility standards. Advise project teams on fixing issues identified in audit reports.
• Advise internal teams on implementing accessibility steps into their processes and addressing accessibility issues identified in manual and automated accessibility testing.
• Assist the Digital Accessibility Program Manager with efforts to establish and manage accessibility best practices, standards and guidelines, and policy within digital initiatives.
• Assist in implementing digital accessibility practices across the organization, including changes to the organization’s culture. Serve on workgroups, provide training, and assistance to plan, implement and monitor accessibility of digital resources.
• Promote accessibility within the organization and advocate for accessibility as a vital part of the customer and employee experience.
• Assist in creating a communication plan to alert and engage employees of their role and responsibility for accessible digital content and services.
• Identify and/or develop appropriate checkpoints to allow oversight and governance activities that ensure that digital content and services procured, designed, built, tested, and maintained are meeting accessibility best practices, standards, and Commonwealth policies.
• Research and implement industry best practices, standards and guidelines, and legislation as it relates to accessibility, including, but not limited to, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Title II, and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
• Maintain a solid knowledge of current developments in accessibility and technology including policies, procedures, standards, and objectives as they relate to legislation, Information Technology Policies, Executive Orders, and Memoranda of Understandings. Identify gaps or conflicts with such and make recommendations.
• Anticipate problems and identify and evaluate potential sources of information to generate alternatives and solve problems where precedents do not exist.
• Complete all work in a timely manner, following department standards and policies, to the satisfaction of the customer.
• Communicate, explain, and defend ideas and information clearly and adapt to the audience’s level of knowledge.
• Work cooperatively with team members.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Working knowledge of the web principles of accessibility, usability, and user experience. Experience applying expertise in usability, user experience, and accessibility to handle the day-to-day management, editing, and quality control of text, images, and other content on an organization's website.
• Knowledge and understanding of state and national accessibility laws and standards for digital resources including Title II of the ADA, the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) requirements, and Plain Language laws.
• Thorough understanding of accessibility issues and standards to ensure compliance with WCAG 2.1 A and AA standards and regulations.
• Experience using various testing software including the WAVE toolbar, ARC Toolkit, Accessibility Insights for Web, WebAIM Contrast Checker, and others. Experience testing with assistive technologies like NVDA, JAWS, Dragon Naturally Speaking, and ZoomText.
• Ability to perform content/software/application audits and work with developers to resolve issues.
• Experience in researching industry practices and benchmark information. Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts; to devise solutions to problems; and to prepare concise reports.
• Skill in planning and facilitating meetings, working in teams, and group problem solving. Knowledge of the principles and practices of effective project leadership.
• Proven ability to build consensus and work effectively within a cross-departmental team.
• Exceptional written and oral communication and organizational skills. Ability to organize and present information in a clear, concise manner.
• Ability to prioritize, manage, and complete multiple assignments in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Excellent attention to detail; ability to review complex information from multiple sources and determine relevant information to a given situation.
• Ability to provide outstanding customer service by anticipating customer needs, identifying products and/or services to meet their needs, and resolving complex or non-routine problems, questions, or complaints.
• Skill in applying principles/methods to ensure that policies, directives, and guidelines are followed.
• Ability to logically identify alternatives to solve complex or sensitive problems.

Minimum Experience, Training, and Certifications:

Three years of experience that demonstrates:

• Ability to conduct accessibility audits and provide findings reports.
• Identifying and/or applying applicable leading organizational accessibility practices based on research or other approaches.
• Developing organizational accessibility policies, strategies, and/or guidance.
• Advising organizational management on opportunities to enhance areas of accessibility.

Training:

Completion of the W3C Digital Accessibility Foundations - Introduction to Web Accessibility online course or comparable training course is a plus.

Certifications:

Web Accessibility Specialist (WAS), Certified Professional in Web Accessibility (CPWA), and Accessible Document Specialist (ADS) certifications from the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP) are a plus.

Additional Benefits:

For this opportunity, you will also be eligible for benefits through Apex for the contract period, 401K, medical/health benefits options, a W2 hourly rate, weekly pay, and direct deposit!

EEO Employer

Apex Systems is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, genetic information, registered domestic partner status, marital status, disability, status as a crime victim, protected veteran status, political affiliation, union membership, or any other characteristic protected by law. Apex will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law.