Digital Accessibility Specialist Intermediate

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How to Apply

A cover letter and resume are important submissions for the hiring team to get a sense of your experience. In the cover letter, please let us know how this role aligns with your career aspirations and skills. Submit both a cover letter and resume as one file, due to system limitations.

Job Summary

The University of Michigan's Equity, Civil Rights & Title IX Office (ECRT) provides support, resources, and education to promote a safe and non-discriminatory living, learning, and working environment for all members of the university community. The office consists of several teams: Civil Rights, Disability Equity Office, Intake and Support, Title IX, and Prevention, Education, Assistance & Resources. The Disability Equity Office within ECRT provides leadership and guidance regarding disability and accessibility compliance to various University partners, leaders, and individuals.

ECRT seeks a creative, innovative, and thoughtful person to join its Disability Equity Office as a Digital Accessibility Specialist. This position is essential for advancing the university's mission to foster a more accessible, disability-inclusive environment. The ideal candidate is highly organized, communicates effectively, enjoys streamlining systems and coordinating services, and has demonstrated experience advancing digital accessibility. The successful candidate will join a team of digital accessibility specialists and other staff in the Disability Equity Office to promote inclusive digital practices through consultation, services, support, and training. They will work with ECRT, Procurement Services, and other university partners to assist with the implementation of strategic digital accessibility services and support compliance with U-M SPG 601.20, and its associated guidance. The successful candidate will help route requests, distribute information on services and expectations, and maintain records in the Disability Equity Office's case management system. They will also assist with the development of new digital accessibility services and resources and have opportunities to deliver training to the U-M community.

Reporting to the Associate Director & Deputy ADA Coordinator for Digital Accessibility (or designee) within the Disability Equity Office, your primary role as a Digital Accessibility Specialist will be supporting the University of Michigan's commitment to an accessible and inclusive environment. The successful applicant will do this by reviewing third-party technologies for accessibility, assisting the team to provide supportive services and consulting with individuals about their responsibilities related to digital accessibility, consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehab Act, and more.

This is a two (2) year term limited role.

Responsibilities*

Digital Accessibility Requests Initial Guidance - 40%

• Send initial responses to incoming digital accessibility requests to assist with internal routing, completeness of information, and foundational guidance.

• Develop and maintain awareness of DEO staff expertise, key partners, and relevant U-M support services to facilitate efficient and accurate routing of requests.

• Collaborate with DEO digital accessibility staff to develop templates to collect necessary information for service requests, communicate foundational knowledge, and provide warm handoffs to partner offices.

• Keep detailed records in DEO's case and project management systems.

Digital Accessibility Procurement Initiatives - 25%

• Collaborate with DEO staff to support digital accessibility procurement initiatives (e.g., office hours, training, workflows, documentation for consultations, etc.)

• Gather information to support digital accessibility reviews for procurement from U-M buyers and third-party suppliers.

• Perform preliminary reviews of submitted purchase information to ensure completeness, determine accessibility risk level, and inform routing.

• Assist with review of accessibility conformance documentation from third party suppliers.

• Support drafting and delivery of review findings and recommendations.

• Participate in stakeholder meetings, as directed by DEO digital accessibility leadership, to empower, inform, and train on digital accessibility obligations, expectations, and best practices in purchasing.

Digital Accessibility Services & Operations - 20%

• Maintain digital accessibility team workflow documentation, as well as the case and project management systems that support workflows, in coordination with DEO digital accessibility leadership.

• Support the development and delivery of digital accessibility services and projects, including enhancing existing offerings and designing new offerings to best meet community needs and leverage internal resources.

• Create web content so support service delivery, using a user-centered approach.

• Collaborate with various partners, both internal and external, to inform and co-develop digital accessibility services, initiatives, tools, and resources.

Digital Accessibility Training - 15%

• Assist with development and delivery of additional digital accessibility training and educational materials.

• Develop self-service material to empower U-M staff and faculty in a variety of roles.

RELATED DUTIES

Performs related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications*

• Bachelor's degree and 1 to 3 years of digital accessibility experience

• Understanding of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 (WCAG 2.1)

• Familiarity with digital accessibility reviewing/auditing

• Familiarity with accessibility conformance documentation such as Voluntary Product Accessibility Templates (VPATs)

• Background in collaboratively developing services, resources, and systems to support service delivery

• Experience handling sensitive information and exercising discretion when communicating with partners and stakeholders

• Skilled in clear communication of complex concepts

• Is reliable, adaptable, and works well with others

• Ability to work outside of regular business hours on occasion, if needed. This may include email or other communications, etc., on weekends or evenings

• Ability to use independent judgment and work in a fast-paced and collaborative environment

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes. This position is primarily on campus and in-person.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.