Digital Access Specialist

Position Title:

Digital Access Specialist

Position Type:

Regular

Hiring Range:

$33.46-39.35 per hour commensurate with experience

Pay Frequency:

Hourly

Purpose of the Position

The Digital Access Specialist, a fully in person on campus role, manages digital accessibility initiatives for the Office of Accessible Education (OAE) and the University at large. Charged with identifying University needs for improved accessibility and inclusivity within SCU's digital community, this position will provide programmatic and individualized technical support and training for faculty, students (undergraduate, graduate, law), and staff. This support will range from the implementation of universal design for learning in classroom and community spaces to whole-group and individualized technology training. Through the framework of universal design for learning, this position will help to foster accessibility for all individuals within digital content, products, and services under current Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). This position will act as the primary expert in digital accessibility by providing professional development through support and training in best practices to ensure ADA compliance in content creation, technical assistance for accessible formatting of academic and University materials (i.e. books, videos, publications, audio files), evaluation and assistive technological support for disabled student and employee access needs, and developing individualized training plans for the SCU community in support of campus technology needs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Campus-wide Accessibility Compliance (30%)

• Serves as the University's Section 508 accessibility compliance Subject Matter Expert (SME)

• Collaborates with Information Services to provide campus-wide guidance on WCAG 2.2 AA, WAI-ARIA 1.2, and additional applicable W3C standards

• Serves as digital compliance consultant to identify campus accessibility needs and advise on enterprise accessibility software solutions

• Trains and guides campus designers, developers, and content creators on best practices for creating accessible digital content

• Provides ongoing guidance and support to ensure that accessibility considerations become part of regular workflows

• Creates and provides content design standards for the campus community to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations

• Conducts continuous accessibility evaluations of the campus community's digital space

• Provides subsequent detailed reports and actionable recommendations based on campus digital accessibility evaluations

Course Development Consultation, Classroom Access, and Content Creation Support (20%)

• Evaluates for accessibility and compliance for online courses and programs

• Works with faculty to ensure textbooks and course-materials are accessible in digital format (i.e. E-text and other alternative formatting)

• Builds effective consulting relationships with faculty/course developers, content designers, and other key stakeholders to ensure the successful use of assistive technologies for disabled students and employees

• Collaborates with departments and facilitates the captioning and transcription of audio, video, and other multimedia content in various educational platforms

• Develops and facilitates trainings for faculty and staff on best practices in accessibility for content creation in collaboration with other key stakeholders (i.e. Instructional Technology, Media Services, Library Services, University Marketing and Communications) rooted in accessible design principles and digital accessibility best practices for content creation in their academic courses or departments

• Creates user-friendly guides for implementing digital accessibility

• Enhances campus learning outcomes by supporting faculty in troubleshooting accessibility issues in lectures, recordings, and presentations for in-person, hybrid, and remote instructional modalities

Assistive Technology Intakes and Evaluations for Disabled Students (15%)

• Manages assistive technology for OAE-accommodated students by overseeing assistive technology-related accommodations including alternative formats, physical hardware, and other ancillary assistive technology

• Creates and implements a Student Assistive Technology Consultation and Evaluation process for digital access needs, which includes training on any approved assistive technology supports (Student Assistive Technology Consultation is an ancillary/secondary evaluation process in addition to the OAE Accommodation Interactive Intake Process)

• Collaborates with OAE Advisors for Assistive Technology needs highlighted during initial OAE Intake conversations

• Completes one-on-one Assistive Technology Consultations with students to identify student digital access needs, recommending appropriate assistive technology for such needs, and/or developing individualized accommodation recommendations with students to meet their access needs

• During the Assistive Technology Consultation, determines appropriate assistive technologies and implements various access-oriented software for screen reader and text-to-speech software, recording technology, speech-to-text and voice technology (i.e. ZoomText, Dragon Naturally Speaking, Read&Write Gold, JAWS)

• When needed, meets with accommodated student to discuss and troubleshoot digital access technology needs

Assistive Technology Intakes and Evaluations for SCU Employees (10%)

• In collaboration with an HR accommodation representative, manages assistive technology for the office, workspace, and/or classroom for HR-accommodated employees by overseeing assistive technology-related accommodations including alternative formats, physical hardware, and other ancillary assistive technology

• Creates and implements an Employee Assistive Technology Consultation and Evaluation process for digital access needs, which includes training on any approved assistive technology supports (Employee Assistive Technology Consultation is an ancillary/secondary evaluation process in addition to the HR Accommodation Interactive Intake Process)

• Collaborates with HR accommodation representative for Assistive Technology needs highlighted during initial HR Accommodation Interactive Intake Process

• Completes one-on-one Assistive Technology Consultation with employees by evaluating digital access needs, recommending appropriate assistive technology for such needs, and/or developing individualized accommodation recommendations with employee and in agreement with an HR accommodation representative to meet their access needs

• During the Assistive Technology Consultation, determines appropriate assistive technologies and implements various access-oriented software for screen reader and text-to-speech software, recording technology, speech-to-text and voice technology (i.e. ZoomText, Dragon Naturally Speaking, Read&Write Gold, JAWS)

• When needed, meets with accommodated employee to discuss and troubleshoot digital access technology needs

OAE Website Management and Assistive Technology Support (15%)

• Acts as a digital accessibility and assistive technology resource for the OAE team and larger OAE-adjacent community

• Manages OAE Website

a. Assures compatibility with campus digital infrastructure

b. Uses SCU's current web content management system to develop, maintain, and update OAE website under WCAG 2.2 AA minimum standard

• Provides education and support for faculty on Assistive Technology-oriented accommodations (i.e. iPads, Livescribe pens, FM Systems) for students

• Manages the tracking and quarter/semester inventorying of all OAE Assistive Technology (Software and Hardware)

• Manages Alternate Text Formatting accommodations

a. Procures books as needed in the appropriate format

b.Facilitates Bookshare memberships

c. Requests digital access of materials from publishers

d. Keeps records of proof of purchase or rentals of books

e. Scans and converts books, with publisher authorization, as needed

f. Upon student request, converts classroom material into appropriate alternate format

• Manages American Sign Language (ASL) and Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) vendors and processes for students

a. Procures vendor as needed

b. Facilitates vendor assignment and work

c.Keeps records of utilization and outcomes

• Provides vendor information for departments and the University at large for events in need of ASL and CART

Vendor Partnerships (5%)

• Curates and manages relationships with vendors for accessibility products and software in collaboration with Information Services

• Manages the update and maintenance of external vendor digital accessibility applications/resources

• Collaborates with University Procurement Director, to ensure new purchases meet digital compliance and accessibility standards

• Works with vendors to ensure their products meet SCU compliance standards

C. GENERAL GUIDELINES

• Interacts effectively across all departments and schools of the university

• Recommends initiatives and implements changes to improve quality and services

• Conducts root cause analysis for challenges and develops and presents recommendations for improvement of established processes and practices

• Maintains contact with students and solicits feedback for improved services

• Maximizes productivity through use of appropriate tools; planned training and performance initiatives

• Researches and develops resources that create timely and efficient workflow

• Prepares progress reports; informs supervisor of project status; and deviation from goals. Ensures completeness, accuracy, and timeliness of all operational functions

• Prepares and submits reports as requested and required

• Develops and implements guidelines to support the functions of the unit

• Able to work independently to address and make decisions on day-to-day inquiries and issues, consulting with managers as needed on major issues

D. Qualifications

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The items below are representative of the knowledge, skills, abilities, education, and experience required or preferred

• This position requires the ability to effectively establish and maintain cooperative working relationships within a diverse multicultural environment

E. Physical Demands

• The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, the California Fair Employment & Housing Act, and all other applicable laws, SCU provides reasonable accommodations for qualified persons with disabilities. A qualified individual is a person who meets skill, experience, education, or other requirements of the position, and who can perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation

• Considerable time is spent at a desk using a computer terminal

• May be required to travel to other buildings on the campus

• May be required to attend conference and training sessions within Bay Area or in- or out-of-state locations

• May be required to occasionally travel to outside customers, vendors or suppliers

• May be required to help lift as well as move items (boxes, supplies) from one location/building to another

• Ability to work evenings and weekends

F. Work Environment

• The work environment characteristics described below are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job

• Typical office environment

• Mostly an indoor office environment

• Offices with equipment noise

• Offices with frequent interruptions

G. Knowledge

• Experience with web content management systems (e.g., TerminalFour) and learning management systems (e.g., Canvas) with a focus on implementing accessibility features across the university and creating accessible content for the OAE website, and willingness to learn other campus systems

• Knowledge of the legal implications of non-compliance and the ability to apply regulations to ensure adherence to accessibility standards

• Familiarity with and commitment to the mission, goals, and vision of Jesuit education, and of Santa Clara University in particular, preferred

H. Skills

• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills

• Ability to design and deliver training programs on digital accessibility best practices to faculty, staff, and students

• Creative problem-solving skills

• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to deal with a wide variety of students, faculty, staff, and administrators

• Strength of character, honesty, integrity, good judgment, and discretion

Abilities

• Creativity, flexibility, and ability to work independently

• Excellent time management, organization, and ability to see assigned tasks through to completion

• Willingness to take initiative in solving problems

J. Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor's degree required, Master's degree in AT or related specific assistive technology subject matter area preferred

• 5-6 years of relevant applied experience

• Experience working in Academic Context (K-12, Higher Ed, Educational Startup, etc.) with preferred direct experience on a post-secondary campus

EEO Statement

Equal Opportunity/Notice of Nondiscrimination

Santa Clara University is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and California State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. Applications from members of historically underrepresented groups are especially encouraged. For a complete copy of Santa Clara University's equal opportunity and nondiscrimination policies, see https://www.scu.edu/title-ix/policies-reports/

COVID-19 Statement

The health and safety of the University community is a top priority. The University strongly recommends that all employees are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 as the vaccination and boosters are safe, effective tools that significantly minimize the chances of serious illness and hospitalization. Please contact Human Resources if you have any questions.

Telecommute

Santa Clara University is registered to do business in the following states: California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, and Illinois. Employees approved to telecommute are required to perform their work within one of these states.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972

Santa Clara University does not discriminate in its employment practices or in its educational programs or activities on the basis of sex/gender, and prohibits retaliation against any person opposing discrimination or participating in any discrimination investigation or complaint process internally or externally. Information about Title IX can be found at www.scu.edu/title-ix. Information about Section 504 and the ADA Coordinator can be found at https://www.scu.edu/oae/, (408) 554-4109, oae@scu.edu. Inquiries can also be made to the Assistant Secretary of Education within the Office for Civil Rights (OCR).

Clery Notice of Availability

Santa Clara University annually collects information about campus crimes and other reportable incidents in accordance with the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. To view the Santa Clara University report, please go to the Campus Safety Services website . To request a paper copy please call Campus Safety at (408) 554-4441. The report includes the type of crime, venue, and number of occurrences.

Americans with Disabilities Act

Santa Clara University affirms its commitment to employ qualified individuals with disabilities within the workplace and to comply with the Americans with Disability Act. All applicants desiring an accommodation should contact the Department of Human Resources, and 408-554-5750 and request to speak to Indu Ahluwalia by phone at 408-554-5750 or by email at iahluwalia@scu.edu.