Vision and Accessible Media Accommodations Specialist

The Visual & Accessible Media Accommodations Specialist is a core part of the Accessible Media and Technology program in the Office of Disability Services, supporting students who need alternative formats and/or assistive technology and prioritizing students who are blind and/or visually impaired.

• Primary decision-maker for the provision of reasonable accommodations related to visual impairment: independently assess, comprehend, and convert visual information into accurate accessible formats for use with screen readers and text-to-speech software; produce braille (including specialized formats such as text, math, graphics, etc. in appropriate braille notations); as well as tactile formats, large print, audio described videos, etc.
• Independently track requests to ensure quality assurance and timely delivery of materials.
• Support or take lead responsibility for other accessible format production areas, as determined by student accommodation needs and production priorities (e.g., electronic text, text-to-speech and speech-to-text programs, captioned videos, transcripts, etc.).
• Research, recommend, maintain, and assist with selection and procurement of specialized software and equipment, prioritizing access for students who are blind and visually impaired.
• Test information and communication technology for accessibility to screen reading software and other assistive technology related to the provision of accommodations.
• Maintain a high level of knowledge and expertise regarding the issues surrounding access for people who are blind and visually impaired, as well as general digital accessibility.

• Provide accommodations support for students needing accessible formats and assistive technology-prioritizing students with vision-related accommodations‑including consultations, advice, training, etc. as needed.
• Assist with intake and follow‑up meetings for new students utilizing Accessible Media accommodations.
• Consult with faculty, staff, and students to solve problems and design accommodations.
• Collaborate with Accessible Media teammates to coordinate with professors who are teaching students with vision-related accommodations or other students requiring extensive accommodations.
• Engage in outreach and education to the JMU community, sharing expertise on topics such as disability and visual impairment, accessibility of information and communication technology, design and testing of digital accessibility, universal design in teaching, etc.
• Produce instructional trainings and educational content, such as web content and reference materials, designed for various audiences.
• Represent ODS on JMU committees as designated.
• Other duties as assigned by ODS staff.

• Participate with Accessible Media staff to select, train, and delegate tasks to student staff; provide support and assistance to all student staff as needed.
• Independently serve as team leader for Accessible Media student staff involved in visual accommodations program production, including training, organizing and tracking tasks, overseeing quality, etc.; depending on student accommodation needs and production priorities, the position may also serve as team lead or support for student employees involved in other Accessible Media production areas.
• Design and compile training materials and resources for Accessible Media.

• Support departmental efforts for assessment, measurement, and reporting.
• Research and experiment with new software, hardware, assistive technology, and techniques to improve the production of accessible formats, develop new production capacity, and provide effective accommodations.
• Assist Accessible Media supervisor with departmental computer inventory and equipment ordering, installation, and set up, as needed.
• Support ODS staff in creating accessible digital content and checking products for accessibility prior to purchase.
• Troubleshoot problems with software and equipment in ODS, Test Proctoring, and the Accessible Technology Labs.
• Serve as effective…