Associate Director of Digital Accessibility/Deputy ADA Coordinator - Division of Access and Engagement - UTK

The Associate Director/Deputy ADA Coordinator for Digital Accessibility supports the equal opportunity and civil rights compliance obligations and commitments of the university by leading, enhancing, and expanding the digital accessibility expertise of the university with programs on campus, online, and in the broader community. This role will collaborate extensively across the university to assess and report on the current state of digital accessibility compliance, oversee the analysis required to bring the university into compliance with the new ADA digital accessibility rules, and devise and advise on strategies to integrate accessibility into all digital initiatives. EOA serves as the ADA compliance office for the university and engages in strategic leadership towards those goals. This role is essential in ensuring that the university cultivates an accessible digital environment for all. EOA serves UTK, UTIA (all 95 counties), UT Athletics, UT Space Institute, UT System, and the Institute of Public Service. 

Reporting to the Director/ADA Coordinator, the Associate Director/Deputy ADA Coordinator provides subject matter expertise, management, and administration of the university’s digital accessibility efforts, in collaboration with partner offices such as SDS, OCM, OIT, Digital, Learning, Office of the Provost, UT System, Digital Learning, TLI and many others.

The Associate Director/Deputy ADA Coordinator will oversee university-wide efforts to develop digital accessibility plans and coordinate compliance with policies, practices, and agreements. The role also serves as the first point of contact for colleges and departments seeking consultation on digital accessibility policy, procedures, and technical guidance. The role will coordinate with academic colleges to strengthen and increase the amount of training that faculty and staff receive regarding digital accessibility processes.

This position will also respond to general requests for ADA and accessibility-related information as a member of the EOA team. The Associate Director/Deputy ADA Coordinator acts as an advisory contact to university departments and personnel regarding access to the teaching and learning environments and collaborates with relevant units to provide leadership, technical direction, and support in increasing digital access for individuals with disabilities in all aspects of the university.

The position works independently and collaboratively to advance digital accessibility and compliance at UTK.

Oversee, Coordinate, Consult, and Implement Digital Accessibility Efforts (40%)

• The Associate Director will serve in a leadership role in EOA, providing work direction and supervising one Assistant Director in digital accessibility efforts.

• Lead and manage campus wide efforts around digital accessibility compliance. This includes assessing, recommending, creating, and revising policy, procedure, standards, and remediation plans. Work closely with OIT and OCM around policy efforts as the subject-matter expert on current law and best practices. Maintain knowledge of best practices at other institutions of higher education and related industries.

• Stay current on state and federal laws and regulations as well as best practices relating to digital accessibility policies and procedures. 

• Serve as first point of contact and serve as subject-matter expert while consulting with UTK departments, offices, colleges, programs, and personnel on their obligations to ensure digital accessibility and the necessary processes to achieve compliance.

Create Plans, Audit, and Respond to Complaints and Grievances (25%)

• Develop plans to comply and coordinate compliance with digital accessibility and general accessibility laws, policies, procedures, corrective action plans, and agreements. Provide regular written and oral updates to the ADA Coordinator/EOA Director on UTK’s progress towards digital accessibility goals and objectives.

• Oversee corrective action and resolve complaints/grievances regarding violations of technical standards.

• Direct the completion of regular accessibility audits and provide productive and useful feedback. Assist with remediation plans where appropriate.

• Collaborate with OIT, OCM, Procurement, and other relevant stakeholders to set up processes to review vendor and 3rd party VPATs/conformance reports. Conduct manual testing of technologies to identify accessibility barriers where applicable.

• Communicate ongoing efforts and strategies with the ADA Coordinator/EOA Director and the university on plans and implementation strategies and progress.

Service and Other Activities (25%)

• Serve as Chair of UTK and Co-Chair of UT System digital accessibility steering committees.

• Collaborate with other members of the Office of Equal Opportunity and Accessibility and university leadership to develop policy, operating guidelines, or practices to ensure compliance with all EOA portfolios. 

• In collaboration with the ADA Coordinator/EOA Director and colleagues, provide leadership and guidance to the university community regarding general digital accessibility and consultative questions received. 

• Provide service to the university, including participation on relevant and related university committees and in campus/community activities. 

• Perform additional responsibilities as assigned, including opportunities for growth and professional development in other areas of interest related to the work of the office. 

• Contributes to the overall mission of the division.

• Engages in continuing education and professional development in order to be able to contribute to and lead meaningful and provocative discussions related to the EOA portfolios.

Other (10%)

• Duties as assigned by Director of Equal Opportunity & Accessibility

Required Qualifications

• Education: 

  • Bachelor’s Degree

• Experience: 

  • 6 years of experience working in higher education or a complex organization, while acquiring additional responsibilities in leadership, supervision, policy making, as well as process development and implementation as it relates to accessibility, equity, and seamless inclusion.

  • Experience with assistive technologies, digital resources, and content accessibility.

• Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities: 

  • Knowledge of and ability to explain relevant laws, rules, regulations, and internal policies and procedures such as the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, or the UT Digital Accessibility Policy.

  • Knowledge of HTML, CSS, WAI-ARIA, and WCAG standards.

  • Knowledge of tools and techniques to aid in accessibility evaluation.

  • Ability to clearly communicate complex concepts in various settings and formats.

  • Ability to develop and cultivate positive working relationships with institutional partners.

  • Strong knowledge of the functional accessibility of websites, web applications, and electronic documents.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment-based visa status.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Education: 

  • Master’s Degree or Doctoral Degree

• Experience: 

  • 8 years of experience working in higher education or a complex organization, while acquiring additional responsibilities in leadership, supervision, policy making, as well as process development  and implementation as it relates to accessibility, equity, and seamless inclusion.

  • Experience in regulatory compliance.

• Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities: 

  • Deep knowledge of tools and techniques to aid in accessibility evaluation.

  • Strong knowledge of HTML, CSS, WAI-ARIA, and the WCAG 2.0 Level AA standard.

  • Excellent communication skills.

Work Location 

• Location: Knoxville, TN

• Onsite, Hybrid, or Remote: Hybrid

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Compensation and Benefits 

• UT market range: MR13

• Anticipated hiring range: $80,000-85,000

• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here

• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions 

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments:

• Resume

• Cover Letter

   

To be assured of full consideration, completed applications with all requested materials should be submitted.

About The College/Department/Division

The Division of Access and Engagement impacts the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s strategic vision through access, belonging, a culture of respect, and community. We support academic access, foster community partnerships, and promote merit-based student success. In addition to our alignment with the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s mission, we are aligned with the UT System's aspirational statement. 

“We are dedicated to expanding access to educational opportunities, striving to remove barriers, and making academic pursuits more affordable. Consistent with the University’s commitment to high academic standards, student achievement, and the preparation of responsible citizens, we believe that engaging with individuals from all backgrounds and perspectives fosters a vibrant learning environment that enhances critical thinking and intellectual growth. Our collective strengths make us stronger, and we are committed to promoting an atmosphere where all members of the University community feel welcome, can thrive, and achieve success.”