Job description
This is a fully remote opportunity for candidates with recent higher-education client experience and recognized accessibility certifications (IAAP CPACC, WAS, or DHS Trusted Tester).
Position Summary
This role is responsible for identifying accessibility issues, remediating digital content, and developing sustainable processes to ensure websites, applications, documents, and instructional technologies comply with WCAG 2.2 AA (and WCAG 2.1 AA, where applicable) and related federal and state requirements, including Section 508.
Primary Responsibilities
Accessibility Identification & Testing
• Conduct accessibility audits using automated scanning tools and manual testing techniques.
• Utilize supported tools such as UserWay for website monitoring and Blackboard Ally for course material accessibility within Brightspace.
• Document findings, create and triage remediation tickets, and validate fixes and vendor/system updates.
Web, Document & Media Remediation
• Remediate accessibility issues in HTML, CSS, and ARIA, including heading structure, alt text, keyboard navigation, colour contrast, link purpose, and form labelling.
• Remediate PDFs and Microsoft Office documents to meet accessibility standards.
• Ensure multimedia accessibility through captions, transcripts, and audio descriptions; collaborate with MarCom on publishing standards and media workflows.
• Use Google tools for indexing, search suppression, and metadata management to ensure compliant and accurate content visibility.
• Coordinate with web services and product owners to deploy fixes and patches.
• Retest remediated content using automated tools and assistive technologies.
Front-End & Framework Development
• Update and refactor WordPress themes, templates, and components to meet WCAG 2.2 AA standards.
• Implement accessibility improvements across additional web frameworks and systems.
• Collaborate with MarCom’s UI/UX and Design System teams to align Figma-based components with accessible, production-ready code.
• Support remediation and consistency across legacy platforms and environments.
Governance, Process Development & Sustainability
• Develop and embed accessibility checkpoints throughout publishing and system lifecycles.
• Contribute technical input, metrics, and guidance to Digital Accessibility Plan.
• Maintain accessibility standards, reusable patterns, checklists, and documentation.
• Support public-facing accessibility policy pages and internal resource sites.
• Track and report remediation progress toward April 2026 compliance goals.
Training, Enablement & Cross-Department Support
• Provide office hours, documentation, and training for faculty and staff.
• Participate in accessibility forums and communications.
• Marketing & Communications (MarCom): Align on web governance, templates, and social/video standards to ensure public-facing content meets WCAG requirements.
• Human Resources (HR): Support accessibility in applicant tracking systems and employee-facing portals; assist with compliance documentation.
• Legal & Compliance: Coordinate on ADA, Section 504/508, and policy adherence; provide technical input for audits and reporting.
• College-Level IT Teams: Share best practices and provide technical guidance for localized remediation efforts.
Required Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in web development, computer science, or a related field; or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum 3 years of front-end web development experience with a strong focus on digital accessibility.
• Demonstrated expertise in WCAG 2.2 AA / WCAG 2.1 AA standards.
• Proficiency in HTML, CSS, and ARIA.
• Hands-on experience with accessibility testing tools and assistive technologies.
• Experience remediating PDFs and office documents.
• Familiarity with platforms such as WordPress, Brightspace with Ally, Simple Syllabus, and PeopleSoft.
• Strong documentation skills and the ability to train and collaborate with non-technical audiences across OIT, MarCom, and academic stakeholders.
Preferred Qualifications
• Accessibility certifications such as IAAP CPACC, WAS, or DHS Trusted Tester.
• Experience with UserWay, Siteimprove, or similar accessibility monitoring tools.
• Experience working with accessible design systems, component libraries, and QA processes in higher education environments.
• Experience with accessible multimedia and social media content.
• Familiarity with Figma or other component-based UI/design frameworks.
• Experience using Google tools for indexing, search suppression, and metadata management.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for cross-departmental collaboration.
