Digital Accessibility Specialist (Contract)

(Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics.? The list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class.)

Promotes digital accessibility awareness by educating employees and stakeholders on relevant guidelines, laws, and standards through training and communication.

Collaborates with internal teams, external partners, and vendors to ensure digital accessibility compliance, provide guidance on remediation, develop comprehensive strategies for implementing digital accessibility policies and procedures and coordinate accessibility efforts across departments.

Develops, maintains, and enforces accessibility policies and guidelines to ensure compliance with industry standards, legal requirements, and evolving regulations, while ensuring contributors follow best practices for accessibility and inclusion, such as using alt tags, video captions, descriptive text, and accessible color choices.

Ensures accessibility is integrated into new projects by working closely with design, development, and content teams throughout planning and execution.

Leads PDF remediation efforts by implementing best practices, evaluating alternative solutions, and serving as a subject matter expert on DocMD and Remediate tools. Reviews and approves or rejects documents submitted by external vendors.

Develops and delivers ongoing digital accessibility training, workshops, and resources to help employees create accessible content and use inclusive technologies while maintaining the Digital Accessibility intranet page.

Tracks and documents accessibility assessments, issues, and remediation efforts, generating reports on progress and areas for improvement. Assists departments in determining document qualification for 'Active Use' and when to consult legal on 'Undue Burden.' Manage digital accessibility inquiries.

Maintains the Digital Accessibility webpage with up-to-date resources, and update the 'Progress-to-Date' report quarterly. Additionally, supports Communications with accessible templates and documents and review the Digital Accessibility Transition Plan.

Conducts regular accessibility audits of websites, PDFs, and digital content using testing tools and assistive technologies, ensuring compatibility with screen readers and voice recognition software. Establishes routine assessments, identify issues, and report compliance concerns to departments, while providing guidance on access and use of assistive technologies.

Collaborates with the Digital Engagement Manager to develop best practices for website updates, plan future accessibility audits, and conduct user testing with individuals with disabilities.

Maintains compliance with House Bill 21-1110, Colorado Laws for Person with Disabilities. 

Reviews new software requests for compliance with HB21-1110 and collaborate with IT to maintain and update ICT hardware.

Ensures mobile apps meet accessibility standards. Conducts user testing with individuals who have disabilities to gather feedback.

Ensures videos and audio files are digitally accessible by creating and editing transcripts, adding captions and audio descriptions, providing descriptive titles and thumbnails, and conducting manual testing with user feedback.

Maintains communication with software vendors to ensure compliance with accessibility laws and monitor external service provider websites for VPAT and compliance policies.

Develops and implements feedback tools to collect input from users with disabilities on their experiences and challenges.

Regularly reviews and acts on user feedback to enhance accessibility. Conducts testing sessions with users with disabilities and integrate their insights into improvement plans.

Collaborates with local disability organizations to gather insights and ensure services meet community needs. Involves individuals with disabilities in the design and testing of digital projects to promote inclusivity.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Education/Experience:

High school diploma or GED. 
Five (5) years' experience implementing Digital Accessibility Standards and/or Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 , including experience working with Drupal, Siteimprove, and Microsoft Office Suite products.  Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Associate’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Web Development or Web Design, Disability Studies, Communications, or a related field is preferred. 

Licensing/Certification Requirements:

Certifications related to accessibility, such as WAS, CPWA, CPACC, NVDA, or JAWS are preferred.
International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP) certification (i.e. CPACC, WAS, CPWA and CPABE) is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of the policies, procedures, and goals of the city of Thornton and the Communications department. 
Knowledge of the general operations and staff of the city of Thornton’s various departments and divisions.
Knowledge of current Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). 
Knowledge of Colorado’s accessibility laws including HB21-1110 as well as related guidance, directives, and recommendations.
Knowledge of website development.
Knowledge of strategic planning and public facilitation.
Knowledge of government ethics and understanding of municipal codes.
Knowledge of project management principles and methodologies.
Skill in evaluating, applying, and remediating documents, websites , and other digital platforms for WCAG guidelines.
Skill in designing, developing, and delivering effective training programs.
Skill in excellent customer service and communication.
Skill in organizing and prioritizing activities.
Skill in communicating effectively both orally and in writing.
Skill in screen readers and other assistive technology.
Skill in customer service.
Ability to interpret federal and state regulations.
Ability to apply current Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
Ability to apply Colorado’s digital accessibility laws.
Ability to meticulously review digital content, documents, and web applications to identify accessibility issues, ensure compliance with accessibility standards, and maintain accuracy in audits, reports and remediation efforts.
Ability to effectively manage multiple accessibility projects, audits, and training initiates by setting priorities, meeting deadlines, and ensuring compliance with accessibility standards across digital platforms.
Ability to interpret, understand, and comply with complex statutes, ordinances, regulations, standards, and laws.
Ability to explain complex concepts to a wide variety of audiences.
Ability to identify, cultivate, and sustain strategic relationships.
Ability to collaborate effectively with diverse teams, communicate accessibility requirements clearly, and build relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Ability to use standard office equipment, personal computer, and job-related computer applications including e-mail and text messaging.

Physical and Mental Requirements:
While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is required to reach, finger, grasp, talk, hear, and make repetitive motions. The position is mostly sedentary work; exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. The employee is required to have close visual acuity.