Put accessibility at the heart of all we do by leading the digital accessibility strategy and roadmap for the Parliamentary Digital Service (PDS). Partnering with people across the Product directorate, you will ensure compliance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), advocating for the removal of barriers across digital touchpoints and journeys, and supporting teams to design and deliver digital products and services in an inclusive and accessible way. This is work of national importance, helping UK democracy function more efficiently and more transparently. As part of this new team, you can expect to:
- act as a subject matter expert for digital accessibility, providing consultancy to Product teams
- embed a culture of responsibility for accessibility, complementing existing accessibility initiatives and providing coaching and mentoring
- lead the review of internal processes, partnering with teams to integrate accessibility into digital standards and the full lifecycle of products and services
- design and deliver training and other interventions
- work closely with user research, design, training, HR and insight functions to drive a deeper understanding of user needs
- contribute to accessibility networks within and outside Parliament
What You Need
You could be an accessibility specialist or simply someone who has gained exposure to the relevant issues in another role. What matters is that you bring an understanding of how to select and use appropriate technology to provide inclusive experiences and remove barriers, as well as the ability to share this knowledge through consultancy, training and other means. You will also:
- understand how to gather customer insight
- have knowledge of accessibility compliance (WCAG), usability and assistive technologies and be ready to support decision-making by recommending the best tools and methods
- be able to build consensus and develop relationships with others, tailoring your flexible communication style to different audiences
- have experience challenging and influencing others and be able to host or moderate difficult discussions within the team and with senior stakeholders
Job description
- Create and lead the implementation of a digital accessibility strategy and roadmap for Product, PDS and Parliament.
- Act as a subject matter expert for digital accessibility and provide expert consultancy to Product teams, using your knowledge of accessibility compliance (WCAG), usability and assistive technologies.
- Embed a culture of responsibility for accessibility, complementing existing accessibility initiatives and provide coaching and mentoring.
- Develop a framework to understand performance, maturity and impact in relation to digital accessibility, and develop and implement a plan to improve and strengthen this.
- Lead the review of internal processes, partnering with teams to integrate accessibility into digital standards and the full lifecycle of product and service design, delivery and improvement.
- Design and deliver training and other interventions to ensure product and service improvement teams build the skills and confidence they need to design and deliver digital products and services which are accessible to everyone.
- Review and support our training and coaching functions, identifying opportunities to embed an accessibility focus into activities and initiatives.
- Identify and prioritise opportunities for implementing best practice in accessibility across digital product and service improvement work.
- Work closely with user research, design, training, HR, and insight functions to drive a deeper understanding of user needs and embedding this understanding across the organisation.
- Engage with and contribute to accessibility networks within and outside Parliament, including the cross-government accessibility community.
The above list of key responsibilities is not exclusive or exhaustive and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks as may reasonably be expected within the scope and banding of the post.
