uodsp: Article: So You Want to Become an Accessibility Specialist

[Heidi von Ravensberg]

The world needs more Accessibility Specialists.  Thanks go out to Bill Spirey for bringing this article to my attention:

So You Want to Become an Accessibility Specialist
https://www.24a11y.com/2017/want-become-accessibility-specialist/
Posted on December 24, 2017 by Ray Campbell

With the U.S. Department of Transportation mandates requiring that airlines make their websites accessible, the U.S. Department of Justice settling complaints about inaccessible internet sites with terms requiring more accessibility, updated Section 508 standards and other efforts to increase accessibility, more and more companies and organizations will be looking to make content accessible. In order to do this, they'll need to find people to help make sure they're compliant with accessibility standards.

So, you say, I want to become an accessibility specialist, what do I need to do? Perhaps you already have what it takes to become an accessibility specialist and don't even know it. In this article, I, an Accessibility Analyst for a major U.S. Airline, will talk about what I believe you need to know in order to work professionally in the accessibility space. It is my hope that this article will encourage many who read it to think of doing work in the accessibility space as a career choice.

Myth: I have to have a disability in order to be an accessibility specialist.

Fact: Anyone who works in a technology-related field such as Development, User Experience or Quality Assurance can become an accessibility specialist. First and foremost, you need a passion to want to help people. Second, learn what accessibility standard or guidelines your organization is using, such as the Section 508 standards, or the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Third, contact local disability organizations, talk with them and learn what accessibility issues people face and their ideas for resolving them. In the two years I've worked in my current position, I've been one of a couple people working on our accessibility efforts who has a disability. However, I've seen people who are very passionate and who want to do the right thing and they have become believers.
Continue reading at:
https://www.24a11y.com/2017/want-become-accessibility-specialist/