Digital Accesibility specialist

Job Summary:

We are seeking a detail-oriented and passionate Digital Accessibility Specialist to support the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) in ensuring that digital content and technology meet accessibility standards.

This role will be responsible for assessing and improving the accessibility of digital documents, training internal teams, and developing communication strategies to enhance accessibility compliance. The ideal candidate will have experience working with CommonLook PDF, Adobe Acrobat, and other accessibility tools while demonstrating a strong commitment to inclusivity and compliance with WCAG 2.1 A/AA standards.

Key Responsibilities:

• Review and remediate digital documents (PDFs, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) to meet WCAG 2.1 A/AA and Section 508 compliance standards.
• Utilize CommonLook PDF to assess and improve the accessibility of PDF documents.
• Train internal staff on digital accessibility best practices, including document remediation, website accessibility, and inclusive design principles.
• Work with the Digital Accessibility Manager to develop and implement communication plans to raise awareness and ensure compliance to HB21-1110, Colorado’s accessibility law.
• Conduct accessibility audits and collaborate with IT, designers, and content creators to improve the accessibility of websites, software, and digital content.
• Assist in the procurement process by reviewing Voluntary Product Accessibility Templates (VPATs) and conducting risk assessments for digital tools.
• Provide guidance on Equally Effective Alternative Access Plans (EEAAP) and undue burden documentation when accessibility compliance is not feasible.
• Stay current with Colorado accessibility laws, regulations, and best practices, including ADA, Section 508, and WCAG guidelines.
• Support project teams in integrating accessibility into workflows, ensuring compliance at every stage of digital content development.
• Address accessibility inquiries from staff, vendors, and stakeholders, offering solutions for improving access to digital resources.

Required Competencies & Qualifications:

• 1 year of experience working with CommonLook PDF to remediate documents.
• Experience training internal staff on accessibility best practices and tools.
• Strong knowledge of WCAG 2.1 A/AA, Section 508, and ADA digital accessibility standards.
• In-depth understanding of HB21-1110 and the ability to apply sections of the law to specific digital accessibility scenarios.
• Ability to develop and implement communication plans to support accessibility initiatives.
• Experience conducting accessibility audits (automated and manual) and providing recommendations for digital content improvement.
• Familiarity with accessibility testing tools (e.g., Axe, WAVE, JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver).
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to work collaboratively across departments.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
• Strong adaptability, flexibility, and the ability to work independently without needing much guidance.
• Strong organization skills.
• Experience working with website content management systems (CMS) and understanding basic HTML/CSS for accessibility improvements is a plus.
• Passion for digital inclusion and commitment to fostering an accessible and equitable environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• CPACC, WAS, or other accessibility-related certifications.
• Experience with accessible procurement processes and reviewing VPATs.

Join our team and help create a more accessible digital world!