Senior Digital Accessibility Engineer

Reporting to the Chief Technology and Workforce Programs Officer, the Senior Digital Accessibility Engineer is responsible for elevating and enabling AFB services’ and programs’ capacity by effectively executing projects to assess and improve the accessibility and usability of digital assets for internal and external stakeholders.

About the American Foundation for the Blind
The American Foundation for the Blind creates equal opportunities and expands possibilities through advocacy, thought leadership, and strategic partnerships.
We are committed to creating a future of possibilities for blind Americans—a world where individuals with vision loss at every stage of life can live, work, learn, and play at their full potential.

To achieve this goal, AFB values learning, collaboration, impact, and excellence. We are a dynamic, creative, results-driven organization. Our workplace is lean, fast-paced, and virtual, and our work is project- and team-oriented. Performance expectations are aligned with the organization's goals and values, and employees are empowered to make decisions and take care of business. We value and invest in our people and their tools, expanding our expertise and utilizing the latest accessible technology. We deliver excellence to our customers, partners, and constituents.

How Our Work Changes Lives
● We expand and share knowledge through a variety of initiatives, including original research and our peer-reviewed Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness.
● We create an accessible, equitable digital world through client services, digital accessibility internships, and accessibility programs.
● Through AccessWorld® and other resources, we deliver objective information you can trust—smart and informed commentary, cutting-edge news, and trends concerning information technology and visual impairment.
● We advocate for better policies that promote accessibility and ensure equality and opportunity for people who are blind or visually impaired, creating a culture of inclusion at work, at school, and in our communities.
● We speak up for children who are blind or visually impaired, to make sure they have the resources they need, including textbooks and classroom materials.
● We convene leaders—across our field and among business leaders, public officials, and other decision-makers—to champion the development of legislation and best practices that provide equal opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired.
● Through FOCUS, our newsletter, we deliver ways to engage with AFB through updates on all of its program areas.
For more information, please see our Strategic Plan, which includes our Vision and Strategic Goals to achieve it: https://afb.org/about-afb/strategic-plan

Duties and Responsibilities Include
1. Manage and assist with the execution of projects related to tactical-level accessibility and inclusion needs, including reviewing products and digital assets on web and mobile for usability conformance, and developing and/or reviewing standard operating procedures, policy, and best practices.
2. Lead accessibility consulting project technical delivery, ensuring quality assurance of all consulting project work and related deliverables. Collaborate with the Chief Technology Officer and Business Development leadership to ensure operational efficiency and client satisfaction.
3. Support sales activities associated with AFB client projects, including project scoping, developing and carrying out scope and project plans, communicating with customers as needed to ensure project success and updating internal tracking tools.
4. Serves as internal and external Subject Matter Expert on web and mobile digital accessibility and inclusive design. Provide mentoring to digital inclusion and workforce program participants and staff through project shadowing, workshop sessions, and feedback. Keep up to date with and share trends and developments in the accessibility field through activities including publishing best practices and code examples internally and externally, and contributing to an inclusive technology blog and other AFB publications.
5. Executes software development processes across the full stack using Agile development practices for internal tools as needed. Works collaboratively with staff, contractors, and technical support to gather requirements, create functional specifications, and establish and monitor project plans and execution.
6. Performs other duties and special projects, as assigned.

Qualifications
● Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Engineering, Information Technology or related field required with a minimum of 3 to 5 years practical experience
● Thorough knowledge of accepted accessibility patterns and best practices, including an understanding of HTML and use of ARIA and intermediate to advanced knowledge of CSS and JavaScript
● In-depth knowledge of accessibility standards and policies (e.g., WCAG 2.2 (A & AA), ARIA, ADA, Section 508, 21st Century Video and Communications Act, etc.).
● Experience with automated and manual accessibility testing tools.
● Experience performing accessibility testing on mobile (iOS and Android) and accessibility techniques in native mobile applications.
● Knowledge of accessibility and usability barriers and how people with disabilities experience digital content, as well as the tools and techniques to identify accessibility issues.
● Knowledge of assistive technology (e.g., screen readers, magnifiers, alternative input, etc.).
● Excellent planning, organization, and problem-solving skills, taking a practice, detailed oriented approach to prioritizing tasks and managing project timelines.
● Prior experience in digital accessibility consulting preferred.
● Experience writing code with understanding of software development life cycle principles, design process, and experience with modern web frameworks.
● Knowledge of front-end and back-end software development environments with the ability to create a seamless user experience
● Knowledge of web architecture and application development best practices and principles
● Familiarity with databases, server configurations, and user interfaces

Demonstrate AFB Key Values & Competencies Including:
Integrity & Respect
Collaboration
Job Excellence & Impact
Life-Long Learning
Initiative
Communication
Desire to Serve
Leadership

Compensation: Salary based on experience, market analysis and location.

Location: AFB headquarters are based in Arlington, VA. This is a full-time, remote position with strong preference given to applicants residing in VA, MD, DC, WV, NY, PA, or FL.

At AFB we do not just accept difference, we celebrate it. AFB is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact Human Resources at careers@afb.org.