Job Summary

Facilitates the work of the Digital Accessibility Program in the Office of the CIO. Defines accessibility standards, implements campus digital accessibility initiatives. Develops strategies to mitigate risks and ensure compliance while documenting risk. Recommends and implements new procedures for business needs regarding digital accessibility. Coordinates with campus to ensure high service standards, as well as accessible content and tools for customers. 

Duties & Responsibilities

Program Oversight

• Coordinate efforts of the Digital Accessibility Program in the Office of the CIO.
• Serve as the primary digital accessibility subject matter expert to the CIO.
• Provide direction and guidance on digital accessibility compliance initiatives and the inclusion of digital accessibility in high-level projects on campus.
• Maintain an understanding of campus digital accessibility needs and translate those into actionable recommendations.
• Document and communicate risks and opportunities for improvement as part of change management processes.
• Develop strategies to address implementation challenges.
• Establish operational objectives for cross disciplinary digital accessibility teams.
• Make budgetary and programmatic recommendations based on resource availability and prioritized needs.
• Measure and report the effectiveness of the Digital Accessibility Program, utilizing the resulting data to improve the success of future engagements and activities.
• Coordinate accessibility remediation efforts with service providers, academic units, external partners and vendors.
• Maintain a strategy for continual program improvement.
• Coordinate program communications, training, documentation and marketing.
• Prepare reports for various technical and non-technical audiences on program status.
• Research and stay current on new assistive technology and industry accessibility standards.
• Function as a point of escalation in accessibility discussions with vendors and partners.

Collaboration 

• Prepare reports and summaries for senior administration, steering and advisory committees, acts as advisor to executive committees. 
• Serve on various university committees, communities of practice, and task forces related to assistive technology and accessibility. 
• Work collaboratively with key campus strategic partners to implement digital accessibility standards, best practices, and related policies/procedures. 
• Partner with key stakeholders to identify needs and opportunities related to digital accessibility. 
• Coordinate interactions and relationships among IT, academic units, accessibility, strategic communications staff and all other program stakeholders. 
• Maintain program progress through partnerships and issue resolution. 
• Provide and coordinate the provision of digital accessibility training resources and educational opportunities for campus stakeholders to empower them to implement digital accessibility standards.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree. 
• A total of 3 years or more of education, training, and/or work experience in information technology, digital media, instructional technology or related field. 
• Demonstrated experience with assistive technology or accessibility consulting. 
• Demonstrated experience with current digital accessibility laws, guidelines, and best practices, including Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 (WCAG); Illinois Information Technology Accessibility Act 2.1 (IITAA), Section 504; WAI-ARIA; and ADA TITLE II.

Preferred Qualifications

• Four (4) or more years of assistive technology and accessibility consulting or related experience.
• Three years or more in R1 higher educational environment.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to communicate complex issues, regulatory information, and current accessibility standards.
• Ability to lead facilitated discussions to build consensus and to drive outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate and collaborate in a diverse team environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to customer service and customer success.
• Working knowledge of Universal Design as it applies to digital accessibility compliance.
• Working knowledge of current HTML, CSS, JavaScript, ARIA standards and best practices.
• A familiarity with and experience with current assistive technologies including text to speech, screen readers, and assistive listening devices.
• Ability to develop and deliver effective training programs related to digital accessibility.
• Demonstrated experience in leading collaborative efforts across multiple departments or teams.
• Proactively identifies issues and risk.
• Ability to identify operational issues within multiple work groups and/or department and gathers information to determine root cause(s).

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 5003 – Program Director position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the closing date. The budgeted salary for this position is $140,000.00. Salary is commensurate with experience.

Fully remote work may be possible for this position per the University’s Workplace Flexibility policy.

Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position.

For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/default.aspx.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on Friday, June 13, 2025. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. In order to be considered as a transfer candidate, you must apply for this position. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. If required by the position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no later than the first day of employment. For further information about this specific position, please contact Dallas Johnson at dallas1@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

The University of Illinois offers a very competitive benefits portfolio, depending on the position. Click for a complete list of Employee Benefits.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.

Requisition ID: 1031187

Job Category: Professional and Administrative

Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu