[Athen] Instructional Technology Accessibility job descriptions

[Thompson, Rachel]

Hi, Cindy. Below, you’ll find two job descriptions. The first is for a vacancy we are currently trying to fill and the second is my job description.

Job description for Technology Accessibility Specialist<http://staffjobs.ua.edu/?job=499702>. Closes on Aug 14.
The Technology Accessibility Specialist in CIT will serve as the primary technical resource for accessibility-related tools and support for campus web teams. This position will provide for the implementation of web accessibility testing and reporting tools, as well as enabling solutions to technology accessibility and usability related issues. This person will also be responsible for creation and maintenance of UA’s online accessibility resources, evaluating and testing tool/service accessibility status, and communicating with individuals and small groups about technical aspects of accessibility. Successful candidate will work in a collaborative team environment, and be responsible for advising, consulting, developing, structuring and implementing web-accessibility solutions to maintain compliant online content. They will coordinate remediation efforts with employees and vendors to meet standards for online content. They will participate and contribute to campus efforts and professional groups regarding web accessibility. Good written and spoken communications skills. Excellent problem-solving skills. Ability to communicate technical information to groups or individuals with varying technical skill levels. Ability to communicate directly with stakeholders regarding accessibility requirements and expectations. Ability to consult with and train client on technical knowledge and processes. Experience in web development, and familiarity with web coding language such as HTML, CSS, or JavaScript. Familiarity with productivity suites and media authoring tools. Bachelor's degree or higher related to web development, technology accessibility, or related field and 2 years professional experience. Working knowledge of WCAG 2.0 guidelines, WordPress, and common web development languages and tools. Experience making existing and new sites meet accessibility guidelines. Ability to communicate technical information to groups or individuals with varying technical skill levels. Experience with assistive technology.


Job description for Director of Emerging Technology and Accessibility:
The Director of Emerging Technology and Accessibility leads UA’s current technology accessibility efforts, including accessibility outreach and education for faculty and staff, as well as web site and instructional technology reviews. The Director also is responsible for exploring and evaluating new, emerging, and evolving instructional technology tools that have the potential to move to enterprise level or to meet a specific campus need. The Director forms and may lead cross-functional teams to meet accessibility or emerging technology needs. The Director also explores the forefront of technology developments to identify innovations that may accomplish institutional educational and research goals. The Director works to enable the University and the Center for Instructional Technology (CIT) to make informed decisions regarding accessibility and in choosing enterprise level instructional technology tools that meet user needs by spearheading cross-functional evaluation of technology solutions and by representing the CIT and Academic Affairs in campus governance structures. Accessibility and emerging technology initiatives may be stimulated externally or internally, originating either from CIT and other UA groups, from other universities and institutions/agencies, or from interactions within the ETA unit. The group led by the Director will focus on experimentation, collaboration, and communication, all documented for the benefit of the UA community and for other institutions.


Dr. Rachel S. Thompson
Director, Emerging Technology and Accessibility
Center for Instructional Technology
University of Alabama
http://accessibility.ua.edu<http://accessibility.ua.edu/>


From: <Poore-Pariseau>, Cindy <Cindy.Poore-Pariseau at bristolcc.edu<mailto:Cindy.Poore-Pariseau at bristolcc.edu>>
Reply-To: "athen-list at u.washington.edu<mailto:athen-list at u.washington.edu>" <athen-list at u.washington.edu<mailto:athen-list at u.washington.edu>>
Date: Friday, July 31, 2015 at 1:56 PM
To: "athen-list at u.washington.edu<mailto:athen-list at u.washington.edu>" <athen-list at u.washington.edu<mailto:athen-list at u.washington.edu>>
Subject: Re: [Athen] Instructional Technology Accessibility planning?

Hi Rachel,

We are just beginning, as an institution, to identify the need to have a position such as yours (that focuses on emerging technology and accessibility).  Are you able to share a job description that I can view and refer to as we build a description for this type of position that will meet the needs of a community college?

Thank you.

The fact is that ours [people with disabilities] is the only minority you can join involuntarily, without warning, at any time—Nancy Mairs, author


Cindy Poore-Pariseau, Ph. D.
Bristol Community College
Coordinator of Disability Services
Office of Disability Services, L115


•Email:   cindy.poore-pariseau at bristolcc.edu
• Phone:  (508) 678-2811 x 2470
Ê Fax:        (508) 508-730-3297

http://www.bristolcc.edu/students/disabilityservices/


From: athen-list [mailto:athen-list-bounces at mailman13.u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of Thompson, Rachel
Sent: Wednesday, July 29, 2015 11:11 AM
To: WebAIM-Forum <webaim-forum-bounces at list.webaim.org<mailto:webaim-forum-bounces at list.webaim.org>>; athen-list at u.washington.edu<mailto:athen-list at u.washington.edu>
Subject: [Athen] Instructional Technology Accessibility planning?

Hi, all.

Our campus has just announced the web accessibility phase of our technology accessibility plan (WCAG 2.0 AA over four years). We have based our approach on lots of W3C readings as well as what we learned from the GOALS project, WebAIM, what other universities have done, the needs of our campus’ SWD, and input from our web teams.

Now, we want to draft a proposal for phase two: instructional technology. For us, this would include the materials posted annually by 5000+ staff and faculty in 20000+ Blackboard courses, as well as our captured lectures, publisher materials, and more. Have you drafted a plan to cover these needs? How did you do it? My first thoughts are to focus initially on courses most of our students have to take (the core curriculum and gen ed classes), the fully online ones, and the ones with largest enrollments. We will also communicate our guidelines to vendors and evaluate their accessibility. We will offer training to our faculty, staff, and teaching assistants, too. I would love your feedback on these thoughts and, if anyone is willing to chat with me about it or has a plan you wouldn’t mind sharing, I’d be much obliged.

Rachel

Dr. Rachel S. Thompson
Director, Emerging Technology and Accessibility
Center for Instructional Technology
University of Alabama
http://accessibility.ua.edu<http://accessibility.ua.edu/>

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