Resume

Accessibility Specialist Resume Example & Writing Guide

Use this Accessibility Specialist resume example and guide to improve your career and write a powerful resume that will separate you from the competition.

Accessibility specialists are responsible for making sure that the products, services, and environments created by their organizations are accessible to people with disabilities. They ensure that websites are compliant with disability access regulations, create accessible user interfaces, and develop strategies for making sure that people with disabilities can use your product or service as easily and effectively as anyone else.

If you have a passion for creating inclusive environments and excellent user experiences, an accessibility specialist job might be the perfect fit for you. Follow these tips and resume example to write a compelling accessibility specialist resume that hiring managers will love.

James Smith
Chicago, IL | (123) 456-7891 | [email protected]
Summary

Passionate accessibility specialist with more than 10 years of experience working in both the private and public sectors. Proven ability to develop and implement accessible digital solutions that meet WCAG 2.0 AA compliance. Experienced in managing projects from start to finish, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and communicating with stakeholders at all levels.

Education
University of Illinois at Chicago Jun '10
M.A. in Disability Studies
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Jun '06
B.A. in Sociology
Experience
Company A, Accessibility Specialist Jan '17 – Current
  • Developed and implemented accessibility plans for web applications, including the use of automated testing tools to ensure that all identified issues are fixed before deployment.
  • Provided technical support on a variety of projects related to accessible design and development practices, such as HTML5/CSS3 best practices, ARIA implementation strategies, etc.
  • Assisted with training efforts by developing curriculum and delivering presentations on topics such as HTML5/CSS3 best practices, ARIA implementation strategies, etc.
  • Participated in usability studies to evaluate current products or prototypes against established standards and guidelines for accessibility (e.g., WCAG).
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams across the organization to identify opportunities for improving our products’ accessibility features and functionality from both an engineering perspective as well as user experience perspective
Company B, Accessibility Specialist Jan '12 – Dec '16
  • Worked with the marketing team to update all digital content for accessibility, including web pages and PDF documents
  • Conducted regular audits of physical locations (offices, retail stores, etc.) for compliance with ADA standards
  • Developed a comprehensive training program on disability etiquette that was incorporated into employee orientation
  • Collaborated with management to implement an effective communication strategy around disability accommodations
  • Spearheaded efforts to make company website more accessible by adding alt text to images and captions to videos
Company C, Web Developer Jan '09 – Dec '11
  • Developed and maintained websites using WordPress, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
  • Created custom WordPress themes and plugins.
  • Integrated WordPress websites with third-party services such as Google Analytics and MailChimp.
Certifications
  • Certified Accessibility Specialist
  • Certified Usability Analyst
  • Human Factors Professional
Skills

Industry Knowledge: Web Accessibility, Section 508, WCAG 2.0, ADA, UAAG, IMS
Technical Skills: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, WAI-ARIA, WAI-TWC, WAI-WCAG, Section508.gov
Soft Skills: Written and Verbal Communication, Leadership, Problem Solving, Teamwork

How to Write an Accessibility Specialist Resume

Here’s how to write an resume of your own.

Write Compelling Bullet Points

The best way to make your resume stand out is to use specific examples and numbers. So rather than saying you “reviewed website for compliance with accessibility standards,” you could say that you “reviewed website for compliance with Section 508 standards and identified 10 pages that needed to be updated to meet guidelines.”

The second bullet point is much stronger because it provides specific details about what you did and the results of your work. It also includes a number—10 pages—which makes the accomplishment seem much more significant.

Identify and Include Relevant Keywords

When you submit your resume online, it’s likely that it will be scanned by an applicant tracking system (ATS) for certain keywords. These programs look for certain terms related to the job opening in order to determine whether or not you are a good fit. If your resume doesn’t include enough of the right keywords, your application might not make it past the initial review stage.

One way to make sure your resume contains the right keywords is to read through job postings and take note of the terms that are used most frequently. Then, use those same terms when you’re writing your resume. Here are some common accessibility specialist keywords to get you started:

  • Accessibility
  • Web Accessibility
  • Usability
  • Usability Testing
  • User Experience (UX)
  • Usability Engineering
  • Web Standards
  • HTML
  • JavaScript
  • Human Computer Interaction
  • WCAG
  • Accessibility Standards
  • User Interface Design
  • Interaction Design
  • Graphic Design
  • Content Strategy
  • UX Research
  • Inclusive Design
  • Information Architecture
  • Adaptive Technology
  • WordPress
  • ARIA
  • Customer Experience
  • JavaScript Tools
  • Cascading Style Sheets (CSS)
  • Accessible Content
  • Usability Testing Tools
  • Accessibility Standards
  • WordPress Plugins
  • Screen Readers

Showcase Your Technical Skills

As an accessibility specialist, you need to be proficient in a variety of software programs and tools in order to effectively do your job. This might include screen reader software, such as JAWS or NVDA, as well as web accessibility evaluation tools, like WAVE or aXe. You should also be familiar with common web development languages, like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, as well as assistive technologies, like screen magnifiers and Braille displays.

Including your technical skills on your resume will show potential employers that you have the necessary skills and experience to do the job.

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