Accessibility Specialist

J**ob Title:****Accessibility Specialist****Location: Chicago, IL & Houston, TX
Employment Type: Contract - 03 Months w/possible extension**

**Key Responsibilities:**

* Lead the execution of the digital accessibility roadmap, ensuring accessibility is embedded across all client-facing digital products.
* Translate accessibility goals into actionable initiatives that reduce compliance risk, improve usability, and strengthen customer trust.
* Coordinate program milestones, timelines, and deliverables across cross-functional teams, integrating accessibility into product roadmaps and release schedules.
* Partner with leadership and stakeholders to align accessibility efforts with broader digital transformation and customer experience strategies.
* Monitor progress against maturity models and accessibility KPIs, providing actionable insights and recommendations for continuous improvement.
* Hands-On Accessibility Expertise
* Conduct accessibility audits of digital channels using both manual testing and automated tools.
* Evaluate experiences against WCAG 2.2 AA, ADA, Section 508, EAA, and other relevant accessibility regulations using assistive technologies (e.g., JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, TalkBack).
* Provide practical remediation guidance to design, development, and product teams, ensuring solutions are compliant, usable, and inclusive.
* Proactively identify accessibility barriers during design and development reviews, advocating for inclusive practices before launch.
* Validate fixes and ensure accessibility issues are fully resolved prior to release.
* Partner with product owners, UX/UI designers, engineers, and QA teams to integrate accessibility best practices across the SDLC (shift-left).
* Mentor accessibility champions and subject matter experts across the organization, strengthening accessibility adoption.
* Act as a liaison with vendors and third-party partners to ensure accessible integrations and solutions.
* Governance & Compliance
* Ensure compliance with WCAG 2.2 AA, EAA, and other accessibility standards and regulations.
* Maintain and evolve accessibility documentation, guidelines, and playbooks for web and mobile teams.
* Support accessibility reviews in vendor RFPs, contracts, and external partnerships.
* Education & Advocacy
* Lead accessibility training and awareness initiatives across digital teams.
* Serve as a subject matter expert and advocate for inclusive design and development practices.
* Collaborate with research teams to incorporate insights from users with disabilities into digital product enhancements.
* Reporting & Communication
* Communicate accessibility program updates, metrics, goals, and challenges to teams, leadership, and external stakeholders.
* Oversee day-to-day activities of the accessibility program, ensuring clear communication and alignment across the SDLC.

**Required:**

* 5+ years of experience in digital accessibility, including program management, product delivery, or hands-on auditing/testing.
* Strong knowledge of WCAG 2.2 AA, ADA, Section 508, EAA, and related accessibility regulations.
* IAAP CPACC, WAS, or CPWA certification .
* Experience conducting hands-on accessibility audits of websites and mobile apps.
* Familiarity with automated testing tools (e.g., Deque Axe) and assistive technologies.
* Ability to manage multiple accessibility initiatives in fast-paced digital environments.