Where to find work in accessibility

If you have a disability or want to help others with disabilities, you might consider becoming an accessibility specialist. You can work from home or in an office, but the jobs you may find can have very different descriptions than what you might expect.

This article will cover some exciting choices for job seekers and what you can do to succeed on this career path.

How to succeed with accessibility roles

Accessibility specialist is a modern job title with interesting opportunities and responsibilities. Going from newbie to veteran takes a while and serious dedication. However, a passion for helping people overcome disabilities is a great motivator.

Naturally, you need some knowledge. Depending on the company or organization you want to work for, you may need to be familiar with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG.) You can also learn about the technical assistance standards on the ADA government website.

Success in accessibility roles comes down to passion and a better understanding of specific accessibility issues and their solutions.

Interesting accessibility jobs

Accessibility testing

An accessibility tester is one of the most critical roles in app development. This job entails testing web and mobile apps to expose weaknesses that may affect people with vision impairment, cognitive conditions, hearing disabilities, etc. You can test accessibility features to determine how to improve the apps to serve those who need them.

Assistive technology development

Assistive technology is any software or device that supports the inclusion of people with disabilities in performing various tasks.

Working full-time in this field lets you help develop solutions, from software to hearing aids to prosthetic devices, that can increase the well-being of others.

Software engineer

Being a full-time or part-time software engineer isn’t always exciting. But if you work on accessibility software, the job description may seem more interesting. Accessibility software helps people explore the web, read, write, learn, and work in fields otherwise unavailable to them due to various disabilities.

You can create software aimed at people with disabilities or work on assistive technology implementation into existing web and mobile apps.

Accessibility consultant

Accessibility consultants work mostly in the physical world. They can ensure that office spaces and residential areas are accessible to people with mobility issues and physical disabilities.

Sometimes, a career in this field requires higher education, experience, and certifications. The job description places many responsibilities on those who take open positions. After all, you are in charge of providing reasonable accommodation, having excellent communication skills, and a superior understanding of AFA and WCAG standards.

Accessibility coordinator

Accessibility coordinators are a lot like project managers. They can train, educate, motivate, and coordinate cross-functional team members involved in accessibility practices and tasks. But most importantly, an accessibility coordinator must understand how accessibility features affect organizations, their products, and consumers.

As a coordinator, you could be in charge of training, maintenance and testing, assistive technology evaluation, remediation, etc. It’s a job title that comes with great responsibility where passion and experience can make you successful.

Accessibility engineer

An accessibility engineer’s job description can vary greatly depending on what their organization needs from them. Some must follow WCAG or Section 505 guidelines. Others work in specific development frameworks and create accessibility solutions.

Engineers may conduct audits, run tools, create reports, and ensure various compliance methods are in place for end users to get the best user experience. It’s important to avoid confusing a software engineer’s job with that of an accessibility engineer. Their roles can be quite different.

Speechify – Accessibility software that helps people read the web

You can find accessibility jobs on all the top job platforms starting with LinkedIn. There are many equal opportunity employers and exciting locations to visit. But if you’re still unsure what accessibility solutions look like, Speechify can help.

Speechify is one of the best screen readers available. Designed as a tool for users with dyslexia, Speechify is a text to speech app that takes written words and converts them into natural-sounding speech. The TTS reader can help users read website content, news articles, phone screens, and dusty hard-copy documents. It’s a versatile app with multilingual support and hundreds of voices and accents. Try Speechify for free today to see the power of accessibility software to understand better the need for more people working in the industry.

FAQ

How do I start a career in accessibility?

Being a subject matter expert isn’t always necessary. However, you must be passionate about helping people with disabilities and become familiar with certain accessibility standards like WCAG and Section 508. From there, it’s a matter of finding a job type or opening that you like.

What is a digital accessibility specialist?

These are accessibility professionals specialized in digital data and technology fields. They can support and guide others working on accessibility software to create more accessible services and software solutions.

How do I become a Web accessibility specialist?

Following this career path often requires attending special training and courses on web accessibility. Experience isn’t always needed but is preferred.

What is an accessibility analyst?

Accessibility analysts often work with clients. They can test and assess user interfaces based on accessibility requirements and consult on deploying the necessary technical solutions.

What is a User Experience (UX) accessibility specialist?

A UX accessibility specialist is someone with expertise in identifying challenges and solutions for people with various disabilities when using apps or devices. They can advise on improving software and hardware solutions for a broader customer base.

Should I study computer science or graphic design?

If you want a job in accessibility, studying computer science or being a web developer is better. There are more job alerts for software engineers and people with a bachelor’s in computer science for accessibility careers.

What is the difference between accessibility and usability?

Accessibility often refers to the technical aspects of an app, website, or the backend. Usability is a term used for the front end and indicates the quality of user experience when interacting with an app or website.