Digital Accessibility Specialist

Position: Digital Accessibility Specialist

Location: Boston, MA (Hybrid)

Duration: Multiyear Renewable Contract

Hours: 37.5 Hours per week

Overview

Client's IT Digital Services Department is responsible for supporting the communications efforts of the agency and providing excellent customer service and sound guidance in support of Client's public-facing websites, intranet, and other digital-related content and information. The department manages Client Website design and content to ensure consistency with the branding and communications strategy at Client. The department sets policies, based on best practices and Client guidance, that maintain a consistent look and feel and ensure the usability and accessibility of the sites. The department also coordinates with other Client IT departments for accessibility and UI support of applications.

The role serves as a subject matter expert on accessibility, working closely with the Digital Accessibility Program Manager to assess the accessibility of all Client services and information. The incumbent will develop relationships with staff across Client to gain extensive institutional knowledge of Client and its initiatives, as well as user behavior. 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 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 Client accessibility resources pertaining to accessibility initiatives and policies.
• Identify relevant best practices and assist in the development of strategies to enhance Client's 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 Client digital initiatives. Assist in establishing Client in a leadership position as it relates to accessibility and usability of information technology.
• Assist the Digital Accessibility Manager in developing and maintaining standards and policies that evolve along with the maturity of the digital accessibility program.
• Implement 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 Client 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 by Client are meeting accessibility best practices, standards, and Client policies.
• Research and implement industry best practices, standards and guidelines, and legislation as it relates to accessibility. This includes, but is 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.
  
  

Job #: 25-28896