[Athen] Electronic & Information Technology/Accessibility Coordinator Positions

[Teresa Haven]

Hello, Marcie.  It took me a couple of days to get a complete answer to your question, because I needed to ask folks who were involved with the creation of what is now my position about the time "before me".  Jamie Axelrod provided those pre-position answers, and I'm appending the job description as it was originally advertised.  We are planning on re-writing the job description next year since by then the position will have "matured" and we feel it will require updating.  Responses are included in-line below.

Best,
Teresa

Teresa Haven, Ph.D.
Accessibility Analyst, Northern Arizona University



From: athen-list [mailto:athen-list-bounces at mailman13.u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of Dimac, Marcie
Sent: Wednesday, August 19, 2015 7:35 AM
To: Access Technology Higher Education Network (athen-list at u.washington.edu)
Subject: [Athen] Electronic & Information Technology/Accessibility Coordinator Positions

Good morning all,

Our University is currently working on an EIT policy and to correspond with this policy, we are considering the creation of some new positions to help with the implementation/monitoring of accessible EIT. A bit of background, we are in Ohio, where three sister institutions have been recently investigated by OCR and as a result, have created an EIT policy.  We are receiving a bit of pushback from faculty regarding the need to create new positions to handle the policy and I want to make sure I gather enough information as possible before I present to faculty senate.

I have been doing some research on what types of positions we would need and what they would entail and am hoping the group can help me answer a few questions:


1.      Does your institution have a similar position? If so:

a.      Can you send me the job description/duties
*  This is a new position which reports to the Director of the Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity and interacts with the university community.

*  The Accessibility Analyst will lead the effort to adopt and implement a strategy to evaluate the compliance and accessibility of all software and related materials currently in use on campus with regard to applicable laws and regulations, such as the Americans with Disability Act, and the experience of individuals with disabilities. The strategy will include a review plan for existing software based on risk and system usage, a process to evaluate all new software before purchase, a training program to enable key personnel across campus to conduct accessibility evaluations, and a plan for addressing current accessibility issues. This individual will also oversee the creation of a cross-departmental Accessibility Group to raise awareness of accessibility, usability and compliance and to discuss RFPs, new software, items currently under review, and upcoming significant projects. The Accessibility Analyst will also identify and make available resource materials on designing accessible web content.

Minimum Qualifications

*  Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience
*  2 years experience creating and implementing new processes in information technology
*  Excellent verbal and written communication skills
*  Experience using tools to aid in accessibility evaluation
*  Experience regarding how people with disabilities access web-content - including specific assistive technologies
*  Experience using assistive technologies such as screen readers and speech to text applications.
*  Ability to relate technical information to non-technical people
*  A proven ability to set and meet project targets.

Preferred Qualifications

*  Experience with technology issues in higher education
*  Experience with screen reading software
*  Experience with Compliance Sheriff or similar software
*  Successful experience as a technology project lead or manager
*  Experience working with a diverse community
*  Bachelor's degree or higher in Educational Technology or Assistive Technology



b.      When was this position created
The position was created in 2013 and filled in January of 2014.

c.      Why did you institution feel the need for this position
We felt it was critical to have this position because of the increasing reliance on technology in all university academic and business processes. We knew that in order to make those processes accessible and usable we would need to have an individual skilled in this area to assess technologies and assist in ensuring access.

d.      What was the structure of your disability services department before vs after the creation?
There was no change as the position is not housed within Disability Resources.


Any information is always helpful and most appreciated!

Thanks,

Marcie Anne Dimac, M.A. Ed.

Coordinator, Assistive Technology
Student Accessibility Services
DeWeese Health Center, Room 23
Kent, Ohio      44242

Email: mdimac at kent.edu<mailto:mdimac at kent.edu>

Phone: 330-672-3391

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