Information Systems Specialist (Digital Accessibility Technical Specialist)

The Information Systems and Technology (IST) department at the University of Waterloo provides information systems, technology, and services in support of teaching, learning, research, and administrative needs across campus. Within IST, the Information Systems group works with campus partners to develop, implement, and support information systems to meet the needs of the University.

Responsibilities
IST is seeking a qualified Information Systems Specialist (Digital Accessibility Technical Specialist) to provide immediate and ongoing support to ensure accessibility compliance per the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) for digital products and services developed and/or otherwise maintained by IST and other campus partners
They will work closely with various content, design, and development teams to implement accessibility standards and best practices, conduct accessibility audits, and provide guidance on accessible design and development techniques
The qualified candidate has a strong understanding of digital accessibility standards and best practices (i.e., WCAG 2.1, PDF-UA), WAI-ARIA, and common assistive technologies used to access the web
They are proficient in remediating inaccessible digital content (web content, PDFs, Word documents, PowerPoints, video, etc.), written and verbal communication, and have experience educating others on accessible best practices
The responsibilities of this role encompass a wide range of areas that currently include:
Leadership and management of Siteimprove and its role insupporting both immediate and ongoing digital accessibility assessment and remediation
Conduct accessibility audits and assessments of websites and other digital properties to identify areas of improvement, recommend remediation strategies and guide remediation efforts
Collaborate with designers, developers, content creators and project managers to integrate accessibility principles into the development and lifecycle of digital products
Review, test and remediate electronic documents (or convert documents to accessible web content where applicable)
Respond to accessibility requests and inquiries, provide guidance and take necessary action to address customer needs
Assist in developing accessibility-focused policies and procedures that encourage continuous improvement and remediation of inaccessible digital content
Assist with developing and disseminating accessibility-focused training materials that educate employees on digital accessibility best practices and standards and foster a culture of accessibility within the organization
Stay current with emerging trends, technology, regulations and best practices related to digital accessibility, and make recommendations for continuous improvement
Qualifications
Post-secondary education in a related field or the equivalent combination of education, technical certifications or training, and work experience in a similar technical service-oriented environment
In-depth organization and planning skills applied to enterprise-scale training and remediation projects
3+ years of experience in the field of digital accessibility, with proven experience in website and document remediation
Experience administering Siteimprove or comparable digital accessibility SaaS solutions
Experience supporting staff and students, and some understanding of the difficulties facing disabled people using digital materials
Proficiency in accessibility standards and guidelines, including WCAG, PDF-UA, Section 508, etc.
In-depth experience using and testing with assistive technologies on various platforms (Mac, Windows, iOS, Android)
Familiarity with HTML, CSS, JavaScript and other programming languages as they relate to accessibility
Advanced understanding of change management as it relates to information systems technology and processes
Experience with Drupal and other content management systems
Knowledge of UI design, implementation and testing
Ability to think critically, problem-solve, and deal with ambiguity and incomplete information
Excellent communicator and self-starter who can work independently and collaboratively in groups
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to interact in a positive and supportive manner with team members and clients
Previous experience with Atlassian software, particularly Jira Software and Jira Service Management, is an asset
Ability to articulate complex issues, insights and recommendations clearly and effectively
Effective analytical and problem-solving skills
Formal or informal people management experience is an asset
Equity Statement
The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is co-ordinated within our Office of Indigenous Relations.



The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.



All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.



The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at hrhelp@uwaterloo.ca  or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.

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