Accessibility/UDL Specialist

The Accessibility/UDL Specialist is responsible for support and promotion of Cengage's aspiration to create inclusive, universally designed, and accessible learning experiences. The Specialist will be expected to ensure that the LCoE efficiently and effectively meets internal and external customer needs which include sales, institutional partners, and product and platform teams. Maintaining open communication lines with the Director and other Learning Team Members is crucial so that appropriate decisions can be made towards the creation of quality and inclusive digital solutions or alternatives for all learners in a timely manner, in addition to positively effecting goals and strategies.

This role is critical in communicating clear and consistent messages, including processes and procedures, efforts, standards, visions to the wider organization through multiple means, while also practicing inclusivity, UDL, and accessibility. The Accessibility/UDL Specialist will work closely with the Director in ensuring that the appropriate teams receive the training, ongoing development, and support required to plan, develop, and deliver inclusively designed and accessible learning.

The Specialist will evangelize Cengage's commitment and advocate for inclusivity, UDL, and accessibility in collaboration with industry groups and related UDL and accessibility organizations through conference networking and presentations, working groups, national or regional interest groups and more. Working in partnership with peers at Cengage will be required to ensure appropriate roles are aware of current, proposed or new legislation and best practices that impact the organization, its products/platforms, and its customers.

Responsibilities:

Triages incoming accessibility/UDL requests; monitors, investigates and acts timely to the requests submitted.
Performs preliminary accessibility audits, if/when necessary, with respect to customer concerns.
Supports/consults with sales, product, and platform teams regarding accessibility concerns, fostering the development of more inclusive digital learning solutions.
Partners with Cengage teams in the facilitation of inclusivity, universal design, and accessibility.
Assists in the preparation of scripts, use cases, etc. for accessibility testing/evaluation.
Facilitates consistent message distribution throughout the organization of LCoE inclusivity, UDL, and accessibility philosophies and visions.
Advocates for inclusivity, UDL, and accessibility across Cengage, not only to mitigate risks to Cengage and its customers, but because it is the right thing to do.
Maintains up-to-date knowledge of current regulations and requirements for institutions, states and federal entities, best practices in UDL and accessibility, including WCAG, ADA, Sections 504 and 508, etc.
Assists the Director in the creation and maintenance of materials to support the implementation, evaluation, monitoring of UDL and accessibility at Cengage.
Creates/conducts up-to-date accessibility/UDL related workshops, trainings, webinars, other professional development opportunities, virtual office hours, etc.
Collaborates with accessibility/UDL advocates by participating in task forces, speaking at conferences, and leading conversations.
Recruits and partners with Student Ambassadors to understand student perspectives and to help create better user experiences.
Skills You Will Need Here:

Strong knowledge of ADA, Section 504, and Section 508 legislation; accessibility guidelines, including WCAG, ATAG, UAAG, and WAI-ARIA; and UDL principles.
Extensive experience in the creation of accessible solutions for individuals with disabilities, preferably in higher education.
Knowledge of assistive technologies for varying disabilities and needs.
Exceptional communication and training skills and experience working with highly technical teams.
Solid organizational and coordination skills along with multi-tasking capabilities to get things done in a fast-paced environment.
Sound interpersonal skills, including relationship building and collaboration with diverse cross-functional teams in sales, support, product, and platform contexts.
Analytical and problem-solving skills.
Empathy, passion and drive to ensure all learners have access to education, and delight in use of Cengage solutions.
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Cengage is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to attracting and retaining a talented and diverse workforce. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age or protected veteran status.

About Cengage
Cengage is the education and technology company built for learners. The company serves the higher education, K-12, professional, library and workforce training markets worldwide. Cengage creates learning experiences that build confidence and momentum toward the future students want. The company is headquartered in Boston, MA with an office hub in San Francisco. Employees reside in nearly 40 countries with sales in more than 125 countries around the world. Visit us at www.cengage.com or find us on Facebook or Twitter.