DIGITAL ACCESSIBILITY COORDINATOR - 69799

Executive Service

This position is designated as Hybrid.

For more information, visit the link below: https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/disability-and-aging/documents/about-us/work-with-dda/Digital%20Accessibility%20Coordinator%20(DAC).pdf

Background Check:

This position requires a criminal background check. Therefore, you may be required to provide information about your criminal history in order to be considered for this position.

Who we are and what we do:

The Department of Disability & Aging is the state agency responsible for providing services and support to more than 1.5 million Tennesseans with intellectual and developmental disabilities and to older Tennesseans. For people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, this is done through programs such as, but not limited to, the home and community-based waiver programs, Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS), Katie Beckett Program, Medicaid Alternative Pathways (MAPs) Program, and Family Support Program. For older adults, some of those programs include CHOICES, State Health Insurance Assistance program (SHIP), home and community-based programs, nutrition services, caregiver support, transportation assistance, and public guardianship.

How you make a difference in this role:

The department supports people to live the lives they envision for themselves by ensuring people are free to exercise rights, engage with their broader communities and experience optimal health. DDA is the first state service delivery system in the nation to receive Person-Centered Excellence Accreditation from the Council on Quality and Leadership. It has also been recognized as a national leader in its efforts to increase competitive, community-based employment outcomes for people with disabilities and its commitment to enhancing independence through Enabling Technology.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate within state government and governance bodies as needed, including at a minimum:
  • Central Procurement Office and Document Solutions within General Services
  • Vendors
  • Within each department and agency: General Counsel, Communication Director, Web Content Managers, IT Directors and Developers
  • STS leadership, Solutions Architecture, IT Planning & Governance, Change Advisory Board
• Assist state departments and agencies in updating, strengthening, and enhancing the scope of self-evaluation and transition plans to help ensure compliance with ADA mandates. Establish and coordinate digital accessibility compliance efforts across all agencies/departments.
• Serve as statewide SME on digital accessibility and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
• Establish and maintain digital accessibility compliance procedures for departments and agencies, to clearly identify requirements, define measurements of compliance, specify thresholds for non-compliance, and provide clear steps to initiate remediation.
• Keep informed of Policies, Standards, & Procedures to maintain alignment with existing policies, standards, and procedures.
• Join the current ADA program as Sponsor and assist with ongoing implementation.
• Review, revise as necessary, and promote digital accessibility best practice guidelines for websites, web applications, video & livestreaming, mobile platforms, and social media.
• Work with departments and agencies to incorporate digital accessibility standards into existing agency processes.
• Serve as technical advisor, provide compliance training, and issue guidance to appropriate departments and agency liaisons.
• Facilitate regular meetings with appropriate departments and agency liaisons and stakeholders to convey business process changes, receive agency feedback, and address other tasks as needed.
• Coordinate and centrally track enterprise accessibility remediation plans and any other compliance activities to compile statewide data to ensure compliance.
• Prepare reports, analyze and summarize metrics, then distribute to necessary stakeholders based on determined frequency.
• Prepare and provide status briefings to departments and agencies executives highlighting progress and risk, making improvement recommendations when appropriate.
• Work with the DDA Communications Team to strategically issue communications, coordinating with departments and agency communication directors for mass distribution.
• Maintain and expand resources on the Accessibility intranet site for departments and agencies.
• Engage State IT Directors and Communication Directors to address compliance violations, provide updates, and receive guidance.
• Develop, conduct, and promote digital accessibility training and awareness.
• Maintain technical professional proficiency in industry and state accessibility standards and best practices.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in relevant field (Information Technology, Public Administration, Disability Studies, or related experience)
• 3-5 years of experience in digital accessibility, web development, or related field
• Professional accessibility certifications (CPACC, WAS, CPWA, or equivalent)
• Experience in government or public sector organizations preferred
• Demonstrated experience in program management and stakeholder coordination
• Experience working with individuals with disabilities and advocacy organizations preferred

Pursuant to the State of Tennessee's Workplace Discrimination and Harassment policy, the State is firmly committed to the principle of fair and equal employment opportunities for its citizens and strives to protect the rights and opportunities of all people to seek, obtain, and hold employment without being subjected to illegal discrimination and harassment in the workplace. It is the State's policy to provide an environment free of discrimination and harassment of an individual because of that person's race, color, national origin, age (40 and over), sex, pregnancy, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status or any other category protected by state and/or federal civil rights laws.