What to Look for When Hiring a Web Accessibility Specialist

Web accessibility does not just consist of checking boxes for legal compliance; it’s about user experience (UX) and ensuring all visitors can access and use your site. While automated tools help find issues quickly, resolving them often needs a web accessibility specialist. Whether hiring full-time or working with a consultant, it’s significant to choose someone who understands your challenges and can effectively address them. Here’s a breakdown of the key skills, education, experience, and knowledge to look for.

What is a Web Accessibility Specialist?

What you should be looking for when hiring a web accessibility specialist depends on the specific issues you’re addressing. If you’re testing your website for accessibility, you’ll need someone familiar with the elements your site uses and the related accessibility concerns. Testing an app or software may require additional skills.

• To determine what to look for, list the elements you’re using and testing. These might include:
• Elements controlling website appearance and functionality, like JavaScript and CSS.
• The CMS platform used to input and display content, such as WordPress, DNN, or Drupal.
• Foundational technologies like Python, Ruby, Java, MySQL, or Ruby on Rails.

Other technologies may also apply. Hiring an expert familiar with these will significantly improve accessibility. Below are the key criteria for the knowledge, skills, and experience to seek in a web accessibility specialist.

• Web Development Skills and Experience

Specific experience and skills are key when hiring a web accessibility expert. Refer to your list of programs, systems, and programming languages your site relies on, as well as results from automated testing. If issues are content-based, like missing alt text or disorganized headings, the expert should be skilled with your CMS and SEO. For UX-related concerns, web design and functionality are more important. Web development and design skills are crucial, but the expert must also apply these skills for accessibility and have experience with assistive technologies and automated testing tools.

Here are a few of the skills and experience your web accessibility expert might need:

• Web development using XSLT, JQuery, and JavaScript.
• Web application development using JS, Angular, Ember.js, Ruby on Rails, or another framework.
• Web design using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
• Fluency with English or the primary written language used.
• Experience with automated testing tools and reports.
• Experience with keyboard testing.
• Content management using DNN, WordPress, CMS, and Drupal. 
• Experience with NVDA and JAWS. 

• Education

Hiring the right web accessibility expert usually begins with education. A formal education in computer programming, web design, or information systems usually offers the foundational knowledge required to build and comprehend websites and programs. However, additional knowledge and experience are required to design for accessibility, particularly. Graduates of this field might or might not take courses or lessons addressing web accessibility, so their experience with accessibility might differ. 

• Web Accessibility Knowledge

Along with hard skills and formal education, certain knowledge is also essential when hiring a web accessibility specialist. Most notably, they should have thorough knowledge of accessibility laws, best practices, and guidelines. While much of this information is available through the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and other resources, the specialist’s ability to apply this knowledge is key. This expertise distinguishes a typical web developer or designer from an accessibility expert.

Here are the expertise or knowledge an accessibility expert must have:

• A good comprehension of laws surrounding web accessibility, including Section 508, web accessibility case law, ADA, state or industry-specific guidelines, as per the requirement.
• Understanding of mobile, desktop, and responsive web design.
• A good comprehension of WCAG 2.0 and what this means for the UX.
• Knowledge of and capability to use WAI-ARIA where required. 
• Expertise regarding SEO best practices.

Final Thoughts

When you’re hiring a web accessibility specialist, look for someone who really understands WCAG and why inclusive design matters. They should have hands-on experience with assistive technologies and be able to show real results from projects like yours. Based on your requirements, you might work with a consultant, a committed employee, or a third-party tester, but irrespective of the planning, make sure they comprehend your tech stack and can efficiently recognize and fix accessibility concerns. Accessibility is an ongoing effort, and the right expert can help you stay submissive while enhancing the user experience for everyone.

Why Choose WAC?

To make your journey toward accessibility smooth, consider selecting WAC, the Web Accessibility Checker trusted by businesses to make sure complete ADA and WCAG compliance. With innovative tools such as, real-time accessibility monitoring, a potential widget for improved usability, and step-by-step guidance, WAC streamlines the compliance process. Enhance user experience, spot issues rapidly, and create an inclusive digital setting with WAC as your reliable partner in accessibility.

Author: Amna

Amna Shahid is a skilled content writer at WAC who crafts clear and engaging content that bridges the gap between complex software solutions and user requirements. With splendid storytelling skills and great knowledge around technology, Amna is professional in transforming complex software ideas into understanding and compelling prose.

Reviewed By: admin