Harvard University
Digital Accessibility Officer for Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS)
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, us, 02140
Position DescriptionThis is a fully benefited, full-time Harvard University position that has been funded through 6/30/2027. There is the possibility of renewal, contingent on funding, university priorities and satisfactory job performance.
Harvard University Information Technology (HUIT) is a community of Information Technology professionals committed to delivering service and technological solutions in support of teaching, learning, research and administration. We are recruiting an IT workforce that has both breadth in their ability to collaborate and innovate across disciplines – and depth in specific areas of expertise. HUIT offers opportunities for IT professionals to learn and work in a unique technology landscape and service-focused environment. If you are a technically proficient, nimble, user-focused and accountable IT professional who also connects with the importance of collaborating well in a team environment, we are looking for you!
Harvard University Information Technology’s (HUIT) Office of Digital Accessibility Services (DAS) is a dynamic team that inspires, leads, and educates our colleagues about the importance of, and their role in, making Harvard’s content and technology inclusive and accessible to everyone.
The Digital Accessibility Officer for Harvard’s Faculty of Arts & Sciences (FAS) supports HUIT and FAS leadership to enhance the successful program in support of the University’s Digital Accessibility Policy. This role influences change by building key partnerships and becoming a trusted advisor across teams and units with faculty and staff at all levels. The role requires broad digital accessibility experience, technical understanding of accessibility requirements, strong business acumen, good judgment, and diplomacy.
The individual supports design, creation, and remediation of content and platforms, and implements accessibility practices across FAS. They manage projects and deliver quality consultation, operations support, data reporting, and customer service. This role reports to the DAS Director, collaborates with an expert team and coordinates efforts of Digital Accessibility Liaisons.Principal Duties and Responsibilities:Liaise between DAS and FAS, maintain relationshipsFacilitate communication on accessibility at the enterprise and locallyServe as a local contact on digital accessibility requirements, assessments, and prioritization, and recommend strategic solutionsLead and coordinate with FAS to ensure local systems comply with University Digital Accessibility PolicyRecommend remediation plans that reduce the impact of barriers, produce data to demonstrate progress, and report to stakeholdersAct as initial point of contact for identified accessibility barriers and be familiar with DAS’ response playbooks and expectationsEnsure accessibility is considered and documented in technology purchases by coordinating with vendors, business owners, and DAS/procurement office(s)Support academic leaders, faculty, and teaching teams to remediate content and plan for accessible course material adoption by design.Partner with FAS resources focused on disability accessibility to ensure effective communication, service coordination and priorities are met.Represent FAS across Harvard and externally as appropriateWorking Conditions:Work is performed in an office settingBasic Qualifications:Minimum of seven years’ post-secondary education or relevant work experienceAdditional Qualifications and Skills:The following Additional Qualifications are strongly preferred. If you meet some, but not all, you are still encouraged to apply; we value employees with a willingness to learn.Knowledge of accessibility technical standards including WCAG 2.1, WAI-ARIA, §508 etc. as applicable to websites, and documentsExperience with
accessibility legal requirements (e.g., ADA, §504, etc.) as applicable to postsecondary institutions and associated risksworking in a higher education environment especially related to accessibility of teaching and learning materials
Understanding of the techniques used to make websites, electronic documents, and media content accessibleBasic fluency with assistive technologies such as JAWS, NVDA, ZoomText, Dragon Naturally Speaking – and understanding of the experience for those using AT – or other accessibility features.Ability to
find opportunity and drive results at all levels of the organizationwork collaboratively and productively with colleagues and stakeholders at all levels in a large, complex organization.
Demonstrated project prioritization, management, and execution.Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal and communication skillsEffective meeting facilitation and presentation skillsCertificates and Licenses:Completion of Harvard IT Academy Foundations course (or external equivalent) preferredCPACC, WAS, ADS (IAAP) or other relevant certifications preferred
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Harvard University Information Technology (HUIT) is a community of Information Technology professionals committed to delivering service and technological solutions in support of teaching, learning, research and administration. We are recruiting an IT workforce that has both breadth in their ability to collaborate and innovate across disciplines – and depth in specific areas of expertise. HUIT offers opportunities for IT professionals to learn and work in a unique technology landscape and service-focused environment. If you are a technically proficient, nimble, user-focused and accountable IT professional who also connects with the importance of collaborating well in a team environment, we are looking for you!
Harvard University Information Technology’s (HUIT) Office of Digital Accessibility Services (DAS) is a dynamic team that inspires, leads, and educates our colleagues about the importance of, and their role in, making Harvard’s content and technology inclusive and accessible to everyone.
The Digital Accessibility Officer for Harvard’s Faculty of Arts & Sciences (FAS) supports HUIT and FAS leadership to enhance the successful program in support of the University’s Digital Accessibility Policy. This role influences change by building key partnerships and becoming a trusted advisor across teams and units with faculty and staff at all levels. The role requires broad digital accessibility experience, technical understanding of accessibility requirements, strong business acumen, good judgment, and diplomacy.
The individual supports design, creation, and remediation of content and platforms, and implements accessibility practices across FAS. They manage projects and deliver quality consultation, operations support, data reporting, and customer service. This role reports to the DAS Director, collaborates with an expert team and coordinates efforts of Digital Accessibility Liaisons.Principal Duties and Responsibilities:Liaise between DAS and FAS, maintain relationshipsFacilitate communication on accessibility at the enterprise and locallyServe as a local contact on digital accessibility requirements, assessments, and prioritization, and recommend strategic solutionsLead and coordinate with FAS to ensure local systems comply with University Digital Accessibility PolicyRecommend remediation plans that reduce the impact of barriers, produce data to demonstrate progress, and report to stakeholdersAct as initial point of contact for identified accessibility barriers and be familiar with DAS’ response playbooks and expectationsEnsure accessibility is considered and documented in technology purchases by coordinating with vendors, business owners, and DAS/procurement office(s)Support academic leaders, faculty, and teaching teams to remediate content and plan for accessible course material adoption by design.Partner with FAS resources focused on disability accessibility to ensure effective communication, service coordination and priorities are met.Represent FAS across Harvard and externally as appropriateWorking Conditions:Work is performed in an office settingBasic Qualifications:Minimum of seven years’ post-secondary education or relevant work experienceAdditional Qualifications and Skills:The following Additional Qualifications are strongly preferred. If you meet some, but not all, you are still encouraged to apply; we value employees with a willingness to learn.Knowledge of accessibility technical standards including WCAG 2.1, WAI-ARIA, §508 etc. as applicable to websites, and documentsExperience with
accessibility legal requirements (e.g., ADA, §504, etc.) as applicable to postsecondary institutions and associated risksworking in a higher education environment especially related to accessibility of teaching and learning materials
Understanding of the techniques used to make websites, electronic documents, and media content accessibleBasic fluency with assistive technologies such as JAWS, NVDA, ZoomText, Dragon Naturally Speaking – and understanding of the experience for those using AT – or other accessibility features.Ability to
find opportunity and drive results at all levels of the organizationwork collaboratively and productively with colleagues and stakeholders at all levels in a large, complex organization.
Demonstrated project prioritization, management, and execution.Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal and communication skillsEffective meeting facilitation and presentation skillsCertificates and Licenses:Completion of Harvard IT Academy Foundations course (or external equivalent) preferredCPACC, WAS, ADS (IAAP) or other relevant certifications preferred
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