Accessibility Specialist

Job Title: Accessibility Specialist

Location: U.S Department of State SA-1B 518 23rd St NW Washington, DC

Hybrid – (1-2 days in office)

Accessibility Specialist

• Extensive knowledge and expertise in Section 508 accessibility requirements and guidelines, with a specific understanding of their application within the client's environment. Proven experience in testing and validating user interfaces against Section 508 accessibility requirements, ensuring compliance and identifying areas for improvement.
• Strong technical proficiency in conducting manual and automated accessibility conformance testing for electronic documents, software, and hardware, adhering to the scope of Section 508.Ability to provide subject matter expertise and guidance to client stakeholders, assisting them in understanding and implementing digital accessibility requirements effectively.
• Proactive approach to increasing the adoption of unified accessibility testing practices within the client's environment, including providing configuration support and tracking service calls and metrics for remediation efforts.
• Excellent communication skills to effectively collaborate with and consult client stakeholders, ensuring a clear understanding of accessibility requirements and technical implementation strategies.

Commitment to staying updated on the latest developments and best practices in Section 508 compliance, actively participating in professional development opportunities and maintaining the required DHS Trusted Tester certification. Must have completed DHS Trusted Tester certification upon 60 days after commencing contractual duties.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Conducting comprehensive accessibility testing to verify the client's adherence to accessibility standards and Section 508 compliance.
• Providing extensive technical assistance and guidance to clients in the realm of accessibility testing, ensuring they have the necessary knowledge and skills to achieve compliance.
• Delivering high-quality accessibility test results, raising awareness about accessibility issues, and providing valuable information and services to clients.
• Conducting accessibility testing as part of IT governance and life cycle reviews or IT investment assessments.
• Generating accurate and clear reports that outline the client's level of Section 508 compliance.
• Assessing and remediating electronic documents to ensure they meet accessibility requirements.
• Coaching development teams on effective accessibility testing techniques for web and electronic content and applications.
• Conducting periodic accessibility assessments for client applications and promptly reporting the results to the Section 508 Program Manager or relevant project points-of-contact.
• Performing document accessibility assessments and remediating any inaccessible content.
• Communicating accessibility assessment results and proposing appropriate solutions to content owners. Evaluating Section 508 compliance assessment and remediation tools to continuously enhance the client's compliance program, while adhering to best practices for managing accessibility of information and data. Providing functional assessments and preparing reports on assistive technology evaluation and comparison as new Section 508 compliance testing tools or competing products emerge in the commercial marketplace. Offering technical assistance in areas such as product-specific Section 508 compliance assessment, web developer guidance, one-on-one client accessibility training, and electronic document accessibility assessment and remediation.
• Provides support to Section 508 Federal staff, with ability to obtain expert level knowledge and understanding of the Information Technology Change Control Board (ITCCB) process. Create and submit Change Requests (CR) and supporting documentation to the Information Technology Configuration Control Board (ITCCB) and administer the CR through the approval process for new accessibility-related tools.Offer feedback and input on the review of all DOS products that are introduced into our unclassified and classified environments.
• Ensure submitters answer all accessibility related questions and to ensure Accessibility Conformance Reports (ACRs) and Voluntary Product Accessibility Templates (VPATs) are up to date and match the current release. If no ACRs or VPATs are available, ensure Market Research Forms are submitted. Coordinate with Federal staff to provide an annual review of the IT CCB process to OAA management and recommend any necessary changes to stay up to date with the latest Section 508 guidelines. The list below outlines various automated accessibility testing tools, but it is by no means exhaustive, as new tools continue to emerge and existing ones are updated. The selection presented here serves as a representative sample of widely used tools that the Contractor will be expected to provide advanced support in, each with its unique features and capabilities. As technology evolves, the Contractor is expected to stay informed about the latest tools available. It is crucial for the Contractor to not only be acquainted with the tools listed but also to provide advanced support as required. Advanced expertise entails the ability to navigate the dynamic landscape of accessibility, offering insights beyond tool usage, such as customizing solutions to specific project needs and interpreting nuanced accessibility requirements. A thorough understanding of accessibility principles and guidelines is essential, and proficiency in using a variety of testing tools ensures a comprehensive approach to identifying and addressing accessibility issues. This dynamic landscape underscores the importance of continuous learning and adaptation to best practices in digital accessibility.

Qualifications/Position Requirements

• In-depth knowledge of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) AA standards, ensuring the client's web content meets the required accessibility criteria. Proficiency in using Acrobat Pro, a powerful tool for creating accessible documents and verifying their compliance with accessibility standards.Strong technical skills with common business tools, including SharePoint and Microsoft Office products, allowing you to efficiently manage and assess accessibility within these platforms.
• Familiarity with a range of automated accessibility testing tools such as ANDI, Deque tools Axe, Attest, and Assure. This expertise will enable you to conduct comprehensive accessibility evaluations and identify areas that require remediation.
• Extensive background in testing systems using manual tests, automated tests, and assistive technology tools. Your expertise in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript will further facilitate effective evaluation and remediation of accessibility issues.
• A solid understanding of Section 508 requirements for applications, coupled with the ability to apply accessibility principles when creating Section 508 presentations. This knowledge will ensure that the client's presentations meet accessibility standards.
• In-depth knowledge of testing documents for accessibility, enabling you to evaluate and remediate accessibility issues in various types of content.
• Excellent skills in documenting compliance against Section 508 technical standards, ensuring accurate and thorough reporting on accessibility evaluations.
• Familiarity with 508 compliance standards and their application to document accessibility, enhancing your ability to ensure compliance across a range of content.
• At least three years of work experience in accessibility or independent verification and validation (IV&V) testing processes, providing you with the necessary expertise and understanding to effectively assess and validate accessibility compliance.

Education

Bachelor's Degree is required. Computer science, information systems, or engineering fields of study desired

Experience:

• 508 compliance: 3 Years
• WCAG standards: 3 Years
• Adobe Acrobat Pro: 3 years
• Electronic Document compliance testing: 3 Years
• Electronic Document remediation: 3 years (Required)
• Accessibility Testing: 3 years (Required)