Vision and Accessible Media Accommodations Specialist
About the role
The Visual & Accessible Media Accommodations Specialist supports students who need alternative formats and/or assistive technology, with a focus on those who are blind and/or visually impaired. This role ensures compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Responsibilities
Primary decision-maker for the provision of reasonable accommodations related to visual impairment. Independently assess, comprehend, and convert visual information into accurate accessible formats in a timely manner for use with screen readers and text-to-speech software.
Support or take lead responsibility for other accessible format production areas, such as electronic text, text-to-speech and speech-to-text programs, captioned videos, transcripts, etc. Research, recommend, maintain, and assist with selection and procurement of specialized software and equipment.
Provide accommodations support for students needing accessible formats and assistive technology, including consultations, advice, training, etc. Assist with intake and follow-up meetings for new students utilizing Accessible Media accommodations.
Collaborate with Accessible Media teammates to coordinate with professors who are teaching students with vision-related accommodations or other students requiring extensive accommodations. Engage in outreach and education to the JMU community, sharing expertise on topics including disability and visual impairment, accessibility of information and communication technology, design and testing of digital accessibility, universal design in teaching, etc.
Represent ODS on JMU committees as designated. Produce instructional trainings and educational content, such as web content and reference materials, designed for various audiences.
Participate with Accessible Media staff to select, train, and delegate tasks to student staff. Provide support and assistance to all student staff as needed. Serve as team leader for student employees involved in visual accommodations program production, including training, organizing and tracking tasks, overseeing quality, etc.
Support the departmental efforts for assessment, measurement and reporting. Research and experiment with new software, hardware, assistive technology, and techniques to improve the production of accessible formats, develop new production capacity, and provide effective accommodations.
Assist Accessible Media supervisor with departmental computer inventory and equipment ordering, installation, and set up, as needed. Support ODS staff in creating accessible digital content and checking products for accessibility prior to purchase. Troubleshoot problems with software and equipment in ODS, Test Proctoring, and the Accessible Technology Labs.
Serve as effective ODS team member and participate in departmental meetings and projects. Pursue professional development opportunities such as conferences, webinars, trainings, etc. related to position.
Qualifications
Some experience with assistive technology and accessible media, especially for individuals with blindness or other visual impairment.
Ability to independently and reliably assess, comprehend, and convert visual information into accurate accessible formats in a timely manner.
Experience supporting people with disabilities, especially in higher education.
Demonstrated ability to quickly acquire working knowledge of new technologies and production methods.
Experience installing, maintaining, trouble shooting, and providing training on a variety of software and hardware.
Experience crafting and delivering educational materials and trainings, especially in a higher education environment.
Time management skills resulting in the ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects and deadlines concurrently.
Experience working collaboratively in teams and across departments, as well as developing and directing projects independently.
Excellent communication and customer service skills.
Additional Considerations
Experience using screen readers (NVDA, JAWS, Voice Over), text-to-speech programs and speech-to-text programs, enlargers (software, handheld, etc.), as well as producing accessible formats such as Braille, tactile graphics, large print, audio description, accessible documents, and captioned videos.
Experience applying the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines and sharing that information with others.
Experience testing accessibility of digital products, including websites, software, documents, etc.
Knowledge of and skills related to implementing Universal Design and Universal Design for Learning principles.
Knowledge of requirements under FERPA to respect and maintain confidentiality.
Understanding of the Americans with Disabilities Act as well as other federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to people with disabilities and to digital accessibility, including the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.