Digital Accessibility Trainer / Instructor

Promet Source; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working conditions

Travel expense reimbursement

Opportunity for contract renewal

Job summary

Promet Source is searching for a Digital Accessibility Trainer to deliver engaging training programs tailored for client staff. This role involves creating and maintaining accessible digital content and complying with ADA Title II and WCAG 2.1 standards.

The ideal candidate should have a minimum of 3 years of experience in digital accessibility training and a strong understanding of WCAG guidelines. This position offers flexible independent contractor arrangements with potential travel for in-person training.

Qualifications

• Deliver digital accessibility training to various audiences.
• Demonstrate assistive technology and provide hands-on workshops.
• Customize training materials for each client.

Responsibilities

• Deliver training curriculum through in-person and virtual sessions.
• Adapt delivery to different client audiences and needs.
• Document lessons learned to improve future delivery.

Skills

Digital accessibility training

WCAG compliance

Assistive technology expertise

Experience with screen readers

Content remediation

Client interaction

Training materials development

Excellent communication skills

Education

Minimum 3 years of experience in digital accessibility

Experience in conducting WCAG-based audits

Tools

Adobe Acrobat Pro

Microsoft Office

Screen readers (NVDA, JAWS)

Accessibility testing tools (axe, WAVE)

Job description

Promet Source — 4809 N. Ravenswood Ave., Suite 126, Chicago, IL 60640

Position Summary

Digital Accessibility Trainer (Independent Contractor, 1099) delivering instructor‑led and self‑paced training programs that prepare client staff to create, publish, and maintain accessible digital content in compliance with ADA Title II and WCAG 2.1 Level AA. The trainer will work across multiple client engagements, adapting a core curriculum to each client’s CMS, document workflows, and regulatory timeline.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Deliver the Digital Accessibility Training Curriculum to client staff through instructor‑led sessions (in‑person or live virtual) covering foundations, Word, PDF, HTML, social media, multimedia, testing, procurement, and governance.
• Adapt delivery for each client’s audience: hands‑on workshops for content editors and developers, executive briefings for leadership, and role‑specific deep dives for specialized staff.
• Customize training examples using each client’s actual web pages, documents, forms, CMS, and social media accounts.
• Conduct live demonstrations of assistive technology (screen readers, keyboard navigation, magnification) to illustrate the user experience.
• Administer module‑level knowledge checks and practical assessments to verify competency.
• Manage training logistics in coordination with the account team, including scheduling, room or platform setup, and materials distribution.
• Contribute to the development and refinement of the reusable training curriculum based on field experience, feedback, and evolving standards.
• Develop and maintain supplemental materials: recorded videos, step‑by‑step job aids, quick‑reference cards, and practice exercises.
• Create client‑specific customizations (branded slide decks, exercises using client content, CMS‑specific instructions) that can be templated.
• Document lessons learned and reusable patterns to improve future delivery.
• Stay current with WCAG updates, DOJ guidance, assistive technology releases, and platform accessibility changes, incorporating updates into materials.
• Advise clients on digital accessibility policies, content publishing standards, and pre‑publish checklists aligned with WCAG 2.1 AA and DOJ guidance.
• Guide legacy document triage, vendor VPAT evaluation, and procurement contract language related to accessibility.
• Escalate complex technical or legal questions to senior consultants as needed.
• Track training completion by department, role, and module; deliver progress reports and post‑engagement summaries.
• Identify opportunities for follow‑on services (refresher training, advanced topics, new‑hire onboarding, audit services, remediation projects).
• Represent Promet Source professionally in all client interactions, maintaining brand standards and relationship quality.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of direct experience delivering digital accessibility training to adult learners in professional, government, or higher‑education settings.
• Minimum 3 years of hands‑on experience conducting WCAG‑based audits, including automated and manual testing with assistive technology.
• Demonstrated knowledge of WCAG 2.1 AA success criteria, techniques, and common failures; ability to explain in plain language to non‑technical audiences.
• Practical experience creating and remediating accessible content in Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat Pro, and HTML/CSS/ARIA.
• Experience with at least two screen readers (e.g., NVDA, JAWS, VoiceOver, TalkBack) and the ability to demonstrate them live.
• Familiarity with WCAG 2.1 and WCAG 2.2, the POUR principles, conformance levels, and the conformance model.
• Working knowledge of HTML5 semantic elements, ARIA roles/states/properties, CSS layout, and their interaction with assistive technology.
• Proficiency with accessibility testing tools: axe DevTools, WAVE, Lighthouse, Colour Contrast Analyser, and Acrobat Pro Accessibility Checker.
• Understanding of social media platform accessibility features across major platforms (Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn).
• Familiarity with captioning workflows, SRT/VTT file formats, and live captioning in Zoom and Teams.
• Understanding of ADA Title II (state and local government) and Title III, Section 508 requirements, and ability to distinguish legal requirements from best practices.
• Strong facilitation skills, ability to manage diverse classroom dynamics, and a professional client‑facing demeanor.
• Excellent written communication skills for developing training materials, client reports, and assessment instruments.
• Cultural competence and sensitivity when discussing disability, assistive technology, and disability experiences.
• Self‑directed work style and ability to manage multiple concurrent client engagements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Current IAAP certification (CPAC, CPWA, or WAS).
• DHS Trusted Tester certification or equivalent Section 508 testing credential.
• Prior experience training state or local government staff.
• Experience with Drupal, WordPress, or other CMS platforms commonly used in government and higher education.
• Experience developing or contributing to organizational accessibility policies and governance frameworks.
• Experience with large‑scale PDF remediation projects and document management system accessibility.
• Familiarity with Promet Source’s service offerings and Provus® products.
• Lived experience with disability or direct collaboration with assistive technology users.
• Bilingual communication skills (English/Spanish) are a plus.

Typical Client Engagement Model

• Phase 1: Scoping and Customization (1–2 weeks) – Join kickoff calls, understand organization structure, CMS, workflows, and compliance timeline; customize curriculum examples; finalize schedule and logistics.
• Phase 2: Core Training Delivery (4–12 weeks) – Deliver curriculum modules to targeted staff groups on a rolling schedule; conduct workshops, live demonstrations, and real‑time exercises; provide office‑hours for self‑paced modules; administer assessments and report interim progress.
• Phase 3: Handoff and Follow‑On (1–2 weeks) – Deliver final materials and job aids; submit post‑engagement report with competency benchmarks and recommendations; brief the account team on refresher or advanced‑topic opportunities.

Deliverables per Client Engagement

• Instructor‑led training sessions for all assigned curriculum modules.
• Self‑paced materials: recorded walkthroughs, written guides, and practice exercises customized to the client’s tools.
• Quick‑reference job aids (Word, PDF, HTML, social media, multimedia).
• Knowledge assessments: module‑level quizzes and practical skill checks.
• Completion tracking log or dashboard.
• Pre‑publish checklists embedding accessibility checks into routine workflows.
• Policy recommendation memo for client accessibility policies, procurement language, and monitoring plan.
• Engagement report summarizing training delivered, competency levels, gaps, and next‑steps.

Working Conditions and Logistics

• Contract (1099) independent contractor; remote work is default for preparation and virtual delivery.
• Travel to client sites required for in‑person training; frequency varies with volume (approx. 2–6 trips per quarter).
• Must provide own laptop, licensed software (Adobe Acrobat Pro, Microsoft Office), screen readers, and accessibility testing tools.
• Promet provides branded slide templates, base curriculum, client credentials, and project coordination.
• May be required to work outside standard business hours for clients with shift workers or different time‑zones.
• Background check may be required for certain government engagements.

Compensation and Terms

• Contract rate commensurate with experience and certifications.
• Compensation structure: per‑engagement fixed fee, daily delivery rate, or monthly retainer based on anticipated volume.
• Travel expenses reimbursed per Promet travel policy.
• Initial contract term: 12 months, renewable on mutual agreement.
• High‑performing contractors may be offered expanded scope or pathway to staff position.

Promet Source is an equal‑opportunity organization. We encourage applications from individuals with lived experience of disability, diverse backgrounds, and perspectives that contribute to accessibility work.