Senior Accessibility Specialist

£52,412/yr - £63,517/yr Hybrid Full-time Mid-Senior level

DWP is the UK's largest government department. Right now, we're using the latest tech, tooling, and thinking to power a once-in-a-generation digital transformation, building products and services that work better for millions of citizens across the UK.


We're looking for a skilled and passionate Accessibility Specialist to help us develop more accessible and inclusive digital content.


Our small, friendly team has passion, mission and permission to improve accessibility, so that DWP services and support are genuinely inclusive to all.


It's a relatively new and rapidly evolving field of expertise within DWP Digital. We are committed to developing our skills and expertise, and we'll make sure you have all the skills and space to contribute and excel.


Digital that Works for People.


This is a new role to DWP, as part of newly formed Digital Corporate Services User Centred Design support team. You will be working with a team of passionate individuals who are all empowered advocates for accessibility.


You will be the 'face of accessibility' for DWP Digital. You'll assess and improve the technical compliance and usability of digital services with a range of assistive technologies.


You will support users, making sure they can access products and services, and will help teams, portfolios, and programmes across the department to meet:


The Government Service Standard
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2
The Equality Act (2010)
The Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations (2018).


As an experienced accessibility professional, you can expect to train, coach and mentor our digital teams on best practice and approach. This will include creating and sharing guidance, and assisting with end user training and digital inclusion topics, like how facilitate inclusive meetings.


You're coming in at the start of this work, so there is real opportunity to define what we mean by accessibility in DWP.


Essential Skills


In-depth knowledge of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)
Experience of working with a wide range of key stakeholders and influencing outcomes, ensuring that the accessibility strategy leads to accessible, compliant products
Experience of working with multi-disciplinary teams to advocate for accessibility compliance
Experience of staff coaching and staff development/ experience of using knowledge and expertise of assistive technologies to ensure compliance
Experience of assistive software testing (eg - JAWS, ZoomText, Dragon)
Knowledge of Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations (2018) and other relevant legislation.


Details. Wages. Perks.


You'll join us in your choice of our digital hubs in Birmingham, Blackpool, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Sheffield.


We also have all the tools and tech we need to enable our people to work flexibly. We operate a hybrid working model, so you can expect to spend some time in the office and the rest working from home.


In return for your skills, we offer competitive pay of up £63,517.


You'll be eligible for a brilliant civil service pension with employer contributions worth of 27.9%.


You'll get a generous leave package starting at 26 days, plus all the usual bank holidays, and the option to take extra days off on flexi leave.


We also have a broad benefits package built around your work-life balance which includes:


Flexible working, flexi hours and flexi days
Hybrid working: some time in a hub with the team, some time at home
Family-friendly policies
Time off for volunteering and charitable giving
Bring your authentic self to work with 'I Can Be Me in DWP'
Discounts and savings on shopping, fun days out and more
Interest-free loans to buy a bike or a season ticket
Sports and social activities
Working in an award-winning environment and culture
Professional development, coaching, mentoring and career progression opportunities.