Digital Accessibility Lead

The Digital Accessibility Lead will be responsible for driving the development, communication and implementation of accessibility technologies within the Firm. This role involves ensuring seamless integration and interoperability of accessibility features, and assuring testing support, training, and user communications. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of accessibility standards and a passion for creating inclusive technology solutions and for Customer Support.

Key responsibilities and deliverables

Product and Service Oversight:

Develop and maintain a comprehensive product catalogue roadmap for accessibility technologies.

Identify and prioritize key accessibility features and enhancements based on the existing technologies, user feedback and industry trends.

Collaborate with Product Owners, Architects, Projects and Development teams to align accessibility goals with overall product strategy

Ensure accessibility features are integrated into product design, transition, testing, and development processes.

Work with cross-functional teams to ensure timely and efficient deployment of accessibility solutions

Ensure the interoperability of accessibility features across various platforms and devices.

Collaborate with external partners and vendors to integrate third-party accessibility tools and technologies.

Stay informed about new technologies and industry developments to enhance interoperability.

Process:

Define and standardise IT accessibility processes and best practices within the Firm.

Create and maintain documentation for Global IT accessibility standards and procedures.

Continuously monitor and improve IT accessibility processes to ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations.

Ensure integrated processes with all other IT functions e.g. Product, Architecture and Project.

Testing:

Oversee the testing of accessibility features to ensure they meet the highest standards of usability and compliance.

Develop and execute comprehensive testing plans, including automated and manual testing methods.

Coordinate with quality assurance teams to identify and resolve accessibility issues.

Testing and Support:

Oversee the testing of accessibility features to ensure they meet the highest standards of usability and compliance.

Assure the development and execution of comprehensive testing plans, including automated and manual testing methods.

Coordinate with relevant teams to identify and resolve IT accessibility issues.

Manage the technical support service for accessibility features and tools.

Ensure that troubleshooting and resolution of IT accessibility-related issues is managed in a timely manner.

Develop support documentation and resources to assist users with accessibility tools.

Training:

Assist the IT Systems Training Team with the creation and delivery of training programs on accessibility best practices and ‘how to’ guides for internal teams.

Educate IT on the importance of accessibility and how to implement it in their BAU.

Work with the IT Systems Training Team to develop training materials, including guides, tutorials, and workshops.

User Communications:

Serve as the primary point of contact for user communications regarding IT accessibility features and updates.

Gather and analyze user feedback to inform future IT accessibility improvements.

Communicate IT accessibility initiatives and updates to users through various channels, including newsletters, blogs, and social media.

Key requirements

Qualifications:

Proven experience in accessibility technology implementation and management.

Strong knowledge of accessibility standards, guidelines, and regulations (e.g., WCAG, ADA).

Excellent organisational skills.

Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams and external partners.

Strong communication and presentation skills.

Experience with accessibility testing tools and methods.

Passion for creating inclusive and accessible technology solutions.

Strong Technology Service background and understanding of IT Service Management principles

Practical IT knowledge and experience of all major assistive technologies, including but not limited to, Jaws, Dragon, Screen Readers and m365.

Competencies

Preferred Skills:

Certification in accessibility (e.g., CPACC, WAS, CPWA).

Familiarity with front-end development and design principles.

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Freshfields Overview

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is a major international law firm, providing business law advice of the highest quality. We want to be the law firm that clients turn to for legal advice where it most matters, wherever in the world that may be. The Firm has over 2,400 lawyers in 28 offices around the world, providing a comprehensive service to national and multinational corporations, financial institutions, and governments.

Our people make our firm - we are a people business and want to create a welcoming and supportive environment where all can flourish. We see diversity as a strength which creates fresh perspectives and generates new ideas. We enjoy our work and are determined to do an outstanding job. We deliver best when working in teams. Our culture is a product of the combined mindsets and behaviours of our people which is through the Being Freshfields principles, outlined below:

we show respect to everyone

we are there for one another

we are open with each other

we are positive role models

We think and work globally - we do not just say we are one firm; we act like one firm right across the world. We work wherever our clients need us. This is how we define ourselves, not by reference to where we have offices. Cross-border work is not just what we do, it is what we excel at. We understand what it really takes to work across different legal systems and commercial environments and to bridge language and cultural gaps.

We aim to add value in everything we do - we are passionate about helping our clients succeed. We use our experience and creativity to help clients make judgements and achieve their goals. In everything we do, we seek to make a real difference to the communities in which we operate.

Freshfields is committed to promoting equality and diversity and to developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds make important and positive contributions to our business and how we service our clients.

Inclusion

Freshfields is an equal opportunities employer and all applications received by the firm will be considered based on their merit alone and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals regardless of background. All offers of employment will be conditional on the candidate having/securing the right to work in the UK and providing the firm with evidence of that right (as required by the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006) prior to employment commencing.

Freshfields is a Ban the Box employer. We ask applicants to disclose criminal convictions only when a conditional job offer is made. A conviction does not automatically lead to withdrawal of the offer: we make decisions on a case-by-case basis and take a number of factors into account (e.g. the role you are applying for and the circumstances of the offence). You would have the opportunity to discuss the matter with us before we make a decision.