Accessibility Engineer

Reporting to the Associate Director of Digital Accessibility, you will join a skilled team of experts influencing digital inclusion efforts at Yale and beyond. You will guide web and mobile practitioners throughout the planning, design, development, and maintenance of websites and applications. You should possess not only solid technical proficiencies but also strong strategic, creative, and planning skills that enable you to communicate, facilitate, and drive solutions.

The position requires expertise in front-end technologies, minimally HTML5/CSS3, ideally JavaScript, with some understanding and experience with related technologies and frameworks (SASS, React/Angular/Vue, Bootstrap/Foundation/Material, Git, npm, Webpack).

The position requires expert understanding of WCAG 2.1, and knowledge of related standards and guidelines, including WAI-ARIA (the ARIA specification and Authoring Practices). You will translate accessibility standards into testable requirements for developers and designers. You will audit websites and apps against WCAG 2.1 and usability best practices and generate comprehensive reports including suggested fixes and code snippets. You will contribute code and documentation to the Yale Design System which drives Yale’s Drupal offering. You will develop and deliver training on various digital accessibility topics and help manage content on the Digital Accessibility website.

In this role you will interact with project teams and vendors using a variety of technology platforms. You will be expected to represent the voice of people with disabilities, understanding the impact that designs and builds might have given your thorough understanding of how people with disabilities interact with user interfaces, primarily using web browsers with various assistive technology including NVDA, JAWS, VoiceOver, TalkBack and keyboard/switch control, and ideally use of mobile devices (native apps with common accessibility features enabled).

Experience with a variety of automated and guided manual testing tools and strategies is a plus, ranging from browser plug-ins like WAVE, axe DevTools, ARC Toolkit, Lighthouse, or Microsoft Accessibility Insights to enterprise tools like Siteimprove, Monsido, Dubbot, axe Auditor and Monitor, ARC Platform, or AMP. Experience testing native mobile apps using Android Accessibility Scanner and the Apple XCode Accessibility Inspector is preferred.

Essential Duties

1. Develops programs or systems of small to moderate size and complexity. Modifies existing systems at all levels of difficulty. 2. Provides informational input into decisions concerning the development and delivery of applications, programs and systems. Defines and analyzes requirements to meet the expectations of stakeholders and intended end user needs, scheduled timeline, and budgetary targets. 3. Analyzes, defines and designs new systems and applications. Writes code in support of business solutions. 4. Responsible for the creation, definition, communication, and management of project plans which includes architectural design, technology selection and methodologies to apply. 5. Troubleshoots problems and provide ongoing maintenance and support for applications and systems. 6. Prepares documentation, user manuals and develops formal proposals for new systems and modifications to existing systems. Mentors technical staff and provide training for end users. 7. Contributes in the development of policies or modifications to exiting policies. 8. Applies and keeps current with existing and emerging technologies and methodologies. Provides ongoing input to the establishment of programming standards, procedures, and methodologies. 9. May perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor's Degree in a related field and two years of related work experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Skill/Ability 1:

Demonstrated proficiency with HTML and CSS. Ability to build responsive and accessible webpages using vanilla HTML and CSS.

Required Skill/Ability 2:

Demonstrated knowledge of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Ability to translate accessibility standards into requirements for developers and designers.

Required Skill/Ability 3:

Ability to validate websites and applications for accessibility. Experience communicating accessibility results both to technical and non-technical audiences and providing actionable feedback.

Required Skill/Ability 4:

Ability to train and influence others on accessibility standards.

Required Skill/Ability 5:

Excellent oral and written communication, presentation and facilitation skills. A strong team player who can communicate with people across many disciplines.

Preferred Licenses or Certifications:

DHS Trusted Tester or IAAP WAS, CPWA, or CPACC preferred.

Weekend Hours Required?

Occasional

Evening Hours Required?

Occasional

Drug Screen

No

Health Screening

No

Background Check Requirements

All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. Please visit www.yale.edu/hronline/careers/screening/faqs.html for additional information on the background check requirements and process.

COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement

Please note that the university has a COVID-19 vaccination requirement; visit for details. For up-to-date information visit the COVID-19 website

Posting Disclaimer

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the particular position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through their hiring departments.

Affirmative Action Statement:

Yale University considers applicants for employment without regard to, and does not discriminate on the basis of, an individual’s sex, race, color, religion, age, disability, status as a veteran, or national or ethnic origin; nor does Yale discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 protects people from sex discrimination in educational programs and activities at institutions that receive federal financial assistance. Questions regarding Title IX may be referred to the University’s Title IX Coordinator, at TitleIX@yale.edu, or to the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 8th Floor, Five Post Office Square, Boston MA 02109-3921. Telephone: 617.289.0111, Fax: 617.289.0150, TDD: 800.877.8339, or Email: ocr.boston@ed.gov.