Digital Accessibility Specialist

The Equity, Civil Rights, and Title IX (ECRT) oversees, facilitates and supports our efforts to ensure equal opportunity for all persons regardless of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, height, weight, or veteran status in employment educational programs and activities and admissions. The Disability Equity Office within ECRT provides leadership and guidance regarding disability and accessibility compliance to various University partners, leaders, and individuals.

Reporting to the Assistant Director and Deputy ADA Coordinator for Digital Accessibility within the Disability Equity Office, the successful candidate will support the University of Michigan's commitment to an accessible and inclusive environment. The successful candidate will do this by training instructors on digital accessibility practices, helping instructors to develop plans and approaches to providing digitally accessible courses, reviewing technologies for accessibility, responding to reports of digital accessibility barriers, and consulting with instructors about their responsibilities related to university policies for digital accessibility, consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act. You will be joining a strong community of collaborators who value and support this work as we look to expand digital accessibility support for the U-M community.

This position will support the University's organization-wide digital accessibility program. The Digital Accessibility Specialist will provide compliance support and technical expertise jointly and in partnership with ITS and the Disability Equity Office. This position will work with ECRT, ITS, and others to support instructors with the implementation of digital accessibility work. They will support instructors in complying with the SPG 601.20 while partnering with staff, students, and faculty across the University. The successful candidate will help drive digital accessibility efforts across the University through partnerships, support, and strategic projects. In addition, they will work with the Disability Equity Office team and ITS to utilize data and program management systems to tell the story of digital accessibility at the University while continually growing their own expertise, staying in touch with industry trends, and working on a variety of accessibility issues across the University.

**Essential:**

60% Conduct digital accessibility training, reviews, and support

* Collaborate within ECRT and with partners to help lead campus efforts related to accessibility in courses, training, websites, and applications.
* Collaborate with DEO digital accessibility staff and ITS - Accessibility team staff to ensure compliance with policies and standards around digital accessibility.
* Assist in leading the maintenance, development, and identification of digital accessibility strategies, tools, and support.
* Assist the Disability Equity Office in developing and providing training and support programs for instructors.

20% Assist the Disability Equity Office in maintaining digital accessibility standards, documentation, and guidance

* Provide and promote digital accessibility support, resources, and guidance for the https://accessibility.umich.edu/ website.
* Provide specific, actionable tips and strategies for instructors to increase the accessibility of course content.

10% Assist the Disability Equity Office in responding to digital accessibility-related barrier reports

* Collaborate with DEO to respond to reports of barriers related to SPG 601.20 to ensure immediate responsiveness through various strategies in partnership with ITS.

10% Assist with the development of internal accessibility procedures

* Assist with other digital accessibility ECRT matters, as needed, including occasional document remediation for accessibility.
* Stay up to date with digital accessibility standards and best practices.
* Be available during non-traditional work hours on occasion for high priority or urgent projects.

**RELATED DUTIES**

Performs related duties as assigned.

* Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, including, but not limited to: Communications, Web Design or Development, Writing, UX, Digital Design, Instructional Design, or equivalent, or a Bachelor's degree and demonstrated portfolio and experience with web content development, instructional support, design, or digital experiences
* 0-3 years of digital accessibility experience
* Understanding of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 (WCAG 2.1)
* Experience with course accessibility review or support
* Experience reviewing documents, websites, or software for accessibility
* Familiarity with or experience with web technologies including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, ARIA
* Experience communicating complex concepts clearly
* Is reliable, adaptable, and works well with others
* Excellent communication and organization skills
* Experience training or presenting to a wide range of participants
* Ability to work outside regular business hours on occasion, if needed. This may include email or other communications, etc., on weekends or evenings
* Ability to use independent judgement and work in a fast-paced and collaborative environment

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. We work in a flexible hybrid office with an expectation of at least two days in-person or as needed to fulfill the essential functions of the position.

This is a two years term limited position.