Library Associate for Digital Accessibility (Part-Time Temporary)

**The Digital Accessibility Associate supports the McGoogan Health Sciences Library in ensuring that all digital resources and services are fully accessible to our user community, in compliance with ADA Title II and WCAG standards. This role primarily involves the review, remediation, and conversion of digital materials, including web content, digital documents, online course materials, and multimedia, along with providing foundational guidance to library staff on accessibility best practices. The Associate works collaboratively with colleagues across the library to foster an inclusive digital environment. The Digital Accessibility Associate is a temporary position through April 30, 2026.**

Responsibility Statement: Accessibility Review

Duties:

1. Analyze VPATs (Voluntary Product Accessibility Templates) for library resources and determine readiness for meeting Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Version 2.1, Level AA.

2. Perform initial accessibility assessments of diverse digital materials, including PDFs, e-books, online articles, streaming media, and website content, using established checklists and guidelines.

3. Identify and document common WCAG and ADA Title II non-compliance issues such as missing alternative text, insufficient color contrast, incorrect reading order, and improper heading structures.

Percentage of time: 30

Level of Importance: High

Responsibility Statement: Content conversion and correction

Duties:

1. Prioritize accessibility issues based on severity and impact on user experience, ensuring critical barriers are addressed promptly.

2. Utilize independent judgment to determine the most efficient and effective remediation strategies for various digital formats.

3. Remediate inaccessible PDF documents by applying proper tagging, reading order adjustments, and form field labeling using specialized software like Adobe Acrobat Pro.

4. Convert non-accessible digital files into accessible formats, ensuring compliance with relevant accessibility standards.

5. Add or revise alternative text descriptions for images, graphs, and complex visual elements within digital content, accurately conveying their purpose and information.

6. Adjust formatting, tables, and lists to enhance readability and navigability for users of assistive technologies.

7. Use software to add captions to noncompliant videos.

Percentage of time: 45

Level of Importance: High

Responsibility Statement: Documentation and reporting

Duties:

1. Maintain detailed and accurate records of all accessibility reviews, identified issues, and completed remediation efforts in a designated tracking system.

2. Generate regular reports on the accessibility status of digital resources, highlighting progress, recurring issues, and areas requiring further attention.

3. Contribute to the development and refinement of accessibility review checklists and documentation templates.

Percentage of time: 10

Level of Importance: High

Responsibility Statement: Departmental Service

1. Liaise with institutional support partners to assist in resolution of accessibility issues for library resources.

2. Provide guidance to library staff on fundamental digital accessibility principles and best practices for creating accessible content.

3. Collaborate with the library accessibility group to discover remediation opportunities.

4. Participate in shared decision-making with the library accessibility group to resolve accessibility issues.

Percentage of time: 10

Level of Importance: High

Responsibility Statement: Other duties as assigned.

1. Other duties as assigned.

Percentage of time: 5

Level of Importance: High