Digital Accessibility Specialist

Job #
039626

Department Code
20701-6026

Department
Information Technology Services

Job Title
Digital Accessibility Specialist

Location
Syracuse, NY

Pay Range
Commensurate with Experience

Staff Level
S5

FLSA Status
Exempt

Hours
Standard University business hours

8:30am – 5:00pm (academic year)
8:00am – 4:30pm (summer)


Hours may vary based on operational needs.

Job Type
Full-time

Campus
Syracuse, NY

Unionized Position Code
Not Applicable

Job Description
Reporting to the Assistant Director of Digital Accessibility in Information Technology Services, the Digital Accessibility Specialist will provide a broad level of campus-wide support consistent with the University’s ICT Accessibility Policy. The candidate will have a working knowledge of how people with disabilities navigate and access digital content using native and third-party assistive technologies on desktop and mobile platforms. Responsibilities include oversight and management of assessment requests, manual and automated testing of digital products, and providing support to accessibility partners and stakeholders through consultation and training.

Qualifications

Possess an authentic passion to create accessible digital experiences for all.
Knowledge and awareness of how persons with disabilities may navigate and access digital content including websites, web-based software, electronic documents, mobile apps and ability to identify access barriers.
Knowledge or developing knowledge of commonly used third-party, native assistive technologies on desktop/mobile platforms.
Working knowledge or developing knowledge of the W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) version 2.1.
Developing knowledge on how to conduct automated and manual accessibility testing of digital content using a variety of approaches including WAVE, color contrast analyzers, keyboard-only navigation, screen magnification software, and screen readers (JAWS, NVDA, and VoiceOver).
Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.
Ability to plan and facilitate meetings.
Exceptional written and oral communication and organizational skills
Ability to organize and present information in a clear, concise manner.
Excellent attention to detail.
Ability to research unique challenges and propose realistic pragmatic solutions.
Highly motivated to continue learning, developing skills in digital accessibility.
Proficient using Office 365, Jira, and Zoom.


Job Specific Qualifications
Preferred Qualifications:

CPACC and CPWAS certifications from the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP).
Freedom Scientific JAWS and ZoomText certifications.
Proficient at using Acrobat Pro DC and/or Common Look to remediate PDF documents.
Knowledge of applicable state and federal laws in the higher education setting including Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act as amended (ADAA) and section 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended.


Responsibilities

Work with the Asst. Director of Digital Accessibility to oversee, monitor, and respond to request for accessibility reviews for the Accessibility Assessment Committee (AAC) and Accessibility Compliance Committee (ACC). Review, prioritize items, and prepare agendas for weekly AAC and ACC meetings.
As appropriate, conduct accessibility testing of digital products using assistive technologies and other tools to ascertain a product’s state of accessibility and conformance level with WCAG 2.1 AA success criteria.
Provide consultation, training, and advising to campus-wide accessibility partners and stakeholders to create accessible digital experiences.
Update and maintain campus-wide accessibility resources in Answers and other platforms.
Contribute towards the future vision of Digital Accessibility at Syracuse University through partnerships and collaboration with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and Center for Disability Resources.


Physical Requirements


Tools/Equipment


Application Instructions
In addition to completing an online application, please attach a resume and cover letter.

About Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and nearly 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience.

The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors and 100 minors offered through 13 schools and colleges; nearly 15,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit www.syracuse.edu.

About the Syracuse area
Syracuse is a medium-sized city situated in the geographic center of New York State approximately 250 miles northwest of New York City. The metro-area population totals approximately 500,000. The area offers a low cost of living and provides many social, cultural, and recreational options, including parks, museums, festivals, professional regional theater, and premier shopping venues. Syracuse and Central New York present a wide range of seasonal recreation and attractions ranging from water skiing and snow skiing, hiking in the Adirondacks, touring the historic sites, visiting wineries along the Finger Lakes, and biking on trails along the Erie Canal.

EEO Statement
Syracuse University is an equal-opportunity, affirmative-action institution. The University prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law to the extent prohibited by law. This nondiscrimination policy covers admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in University programs, services, and activities.

Commitment to Supporting and Hiring Veterans
Syracuse University has a long history of engaging veterans and the military-connected community through its educational programs, community outreach, and employment programs. After World War II, Syracuse University welcomed more than 10,000 returning veterans to our campus, and those veterans literally transformed Syracuse University into the national research institution it is today. The University’s contemporary commitment to veterans builds on this historical legacy, and extends to both class-leading initiatives focused on making an SU degree accessible and affordable to the post-9/11 generation of veterans, and also programs designed to position Syracuse University as the employer of choice for military veterans, members of the Guard and Reserve, and military family members.

Commitment to a Diverse and Inclusive Campus Community
Syracuse University maintains an inclusive learning environment in which students, faculty, administrators, staff, curriculum, social activities, governance, and all other aspects of campus life reflect a diverse, multi-cultural, and international worldview. The University community recognizes and values the many similarities and differences among individuals and groups. At Syracuse, we are committed to preparing students to understand, live among, appreciate, and work in an inherently diverse country and world made up of people with different ethnic and racial backgrounds, military backgrounds, religious beliefs, socio-economic status, cultural traditions, abilities, sexual orientations and gender identities. To do so, we commit ourselves to promoting a community that celebrates and models the principles of diversity and inclusivity.