Instructional Digital Accessibility Specialist

Strong Internal Identified

A strong internal candidate has been identified.

Salary Grade

Case Western Reserve University is committed to providing a transparent estimate of the salary range available for this position at the time of its posting. The salary range is between $56,395 and $71,340, depending on qualifications, experience, department budgets, and industry data.

Employees receive more than just a paycheck. University employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare, retirement plans, tuition assistance, paid time off, and a winter recess.

Job Description

POSITION OBJECTIVE

The Instructional Digital Accessibility Specialist serves a key role in fostering an inclusive digital learning environment at Case Western Reserve University. This position is responsible for providing the training and services needed to promote and enhance equitable access to the digital course content and learning resources essential for excellence in teaching and learning. The Specialist will serve as the universitys primary resource on digital accessibility for academic content. The specialist will have a deep understanding of web and accessibility standards and guidelines, legislation regarding accessibility, and assistive technologies, with proven experience in faculty development, program management, and direct support. Under the direction of the Assoc VP of Teaching and Learning Technologies, this role will collaborate with a broad range of university stakeholders to advance the Universitys commitment to accessible academic materials, ensure compliance with federal and state law within the academic domain, and champion digital accessibility across all of CWRUs digital learning platforms.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Design, promote, and deliver training, consultation, and support by providing a comprehensive portfolio of workshops, webinars, resource guides, and self-paced online resources for the Case Western Reserve University community focused on digital accessibility and Universal Design (UD). Provide expert one-on-one consultations and small-group support to faculty to assist them in evaluating and remediating their digital course materials within the Canvas learning management system, fostering a culture of shared responsibility for accessibility. Develop practical, hands-on training focused on creating accessible instructional content, including Microsoft Word documents, PDFs, PowerPoint presentations, and ensuring proper captioning for video and audio content. Stay current on evolving technical standards (WCAG), emerging trends in assistive technology, and best practices in the field of digital accessibility as related to in-person, blended, and distance education. (40%)
• Collaborate across campus to advance communication and innovation by regularly meeting with and seeking feedback from representatives from the Provost office, academic departments, UCITE, Disability Resources, UTech, and other campus departments and organizations to promote digital accessibility principles, raise awareness of available support services, and adapt training and outreach strategies as needed. Serve on the Universitys digital accessibility implementation committee. Recommend and participate in innovative projects aimed at using technology to improve digital accessibility, including AI. (15%)
• Recruit, hire, train, and manage a team of student workers dedicated to assisting faculty with the remediation of digital course content. Develop and oversee efficient workflows for content intake, remediation, quality assurance, and timely delivery of accessible materials back to faculty. Provide mentorship and professional development opportunities for student workers, offering them meaningful, paid work experience in a high-demand technology field. (15%)
• Audit accessible content. Conducts comprehensive accessibility evaluations of digital course materials, learning management system (LMS) content, electronic documents, and other academic resources against the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) standards, utilizing tools such as UDOIT. Utilize a combination of automated testing tools and manual testing methodologies, including the use of assistive technologies such as screen readers (e.g., JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver), to identify accessibility barriers in an academic context. (10%)
• Review and remediate digital documents (PDFs, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) to meet WCAG 2.1 A/AA and Section 508 compliance standards while managing remediation services effectively. Provide support for digital accessibility applications and vendors, including answering Help Desk tickets and providing face-to-face and virtual support. (10%)

NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Update routine communications, such as the monthly digital accessibility newsletter, and communicate with other departments about our training offerings (5%)
• Assist the Teaching and Learning Team with digital accessibility questions (5%)
• Perform other duties as assigned. (<1%)

CONTACTS

Department: Daily contact with members of the Teaching and Learning Technologies team to work on digital accessibility initiatives and support efforts collaboratively. Frequent contact with others in UTech staff responsible for faculty support, communication, and infrastructure. Occasional contact with others in the division, including senior leadership, to share relevant information.

University: Daily contact with faculty, students, and staff in the context of workshops and individual guidance.

External: Interact with accessibility hardware/software vendors to evaluate effectiveness and assist in procurement/contract related matters, as necessary. Evaluate the accessibility of teaching and learning applications.

Students: Daily contact and support for student employees and interns within the teaching and learning technologies group.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Supervise student workers and paid interns.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience: A Masters degree in instructional design, educational technology, human-computer interaction, information science, or a closely related field. OR Bachelors degree in a relevant field and 2 years of professional experience with a primary focus on digital accessibility, instructional design, academic technology, web design, preferably within a higher education environment. Prefer professional certification from the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP), such as the Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC).

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Experience working directly with faculty in a university setting to improve the accessibility of course materials within a learning management system (e.g., Canvas).
• At least one year of experience providing training, consultation, or direct technical support to faculty, staff, or other end-users on technology, accessibility, or instructional design topics.
• Experience developing strategic initiatives to improve digital accessibility across academic content including university wide training, web-based communication, and outreach campaigns.
• Experience collaborating with a range of relevant stakeholders across higher ed to champion and improve digital accessibility, such as the Provost office, school based academic leadership, faculty, Office of Disability Resources, Centers of Teaching Excellence, University Marketing and Communications and Student Affairs.
• Deep understanding of and experience applying Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles to course design and instructional materials.
• Experience remediating common document formats, particularly PDF, using tools such as Adobe Acrobat Pro.
• Demonstrated expert-level knowledge of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA standards and principles.
• Proven experience conducting accessibility audits of digital content and functional testing using both automated tools and manual evaluation with assistive technologies (e.g., screen readers).
• A strong working knowledge of relevant federal and state laws pertaining to accessibility in higher education, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
• At least one year of demonstrated experience in a lead or supervisory capacity, such as managing student workers, interns, project teams, or coordinating the work of others.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with ability to explain complex technical concepts effectively to a non-technical academic audience.
• Willingness to learn and work with artificial intelligence (AI) tools and technologies.
• Ability to demonstrate successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.
• Ability to meet consistent attendance.
• Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Professional office setting. There are periods of stressful times especially during project deadlines. There may be occasional pressure from demanding customers. Due to time constraints, functions must be completed on set deadlines. Travel between various locations on campus may be required. The position requires typing on a computer keyboard and using a computer mouse and a printer. The employee may be required to attend meetings/functions outside normal working hours including weekends. The employee may be required to carry a cellphone during and after their normal work hours, including weekends, to address after-hours emergencies. This position is eligible for the staff hybrid work program.

Hybrid Eligibility

This position is eligible for hybrid work arrangement up to two remote days per week at the discretion of the department. New employees may begin a hybrid schedule upon approval from the supervisor, successful completion of an orientation period and signing the remote work checklist certification form.

EEO Statement

Case Western Reserve University is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are protected under federal and state laws and university policy from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, protected veteran status, disability, age and genetic information.

Reasonable Accommodations

Case Western Reserve University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act regarding reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the CWRU Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicants will be made on a case-by-case basis.

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