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Apprenticeship training course

Digital accessibility specialist (level 4)

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Information about Digital accessibility specialist (level 4)

Provide advice on accessibility best practice, helping organisations (externally and internally) to meet organisational, national and international accessibility standards.

Knowledge, skills and behaviours
View knowledge, skills and behaviours

Knowledge

  • The characteristics and categories of disabilities (including temporary, situational and permanent disabilities) and how these affect individuals.
  • Commonly used accessibility guidelines (for example the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, EN301549 and Section508), methods to implement and achieve conformance and how these assist users with disabilities.
  • How accessibility is managed and integrated within an enterprise environment including policies, and reasonable adjustments.
  • How to utilise productivity suites ensuring output is accessible and advising on the implementation of accessibility features and content.
  • The implications and effect on users with disabilities, and UK businesses of international disability legislation (including Equality Act 2010, Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) No. 2 Accessibility Regulations 2018 and Accessible Canada Act C81 2018).
  • How to present using relevant technologies and aids in a manner that communicates the information (including a business case) to the chosen target audience, and understand the key facts and figures relating to accessibility.
  • The process to set-up, moderate and conduct activities relating to hosting workshops including moderation usability testing, user research testing and end-user testing.
  • The basics of Hyper Text Mark-up Language, Cascading Style Sheets, JavaScript and Accessibility Rich Internet Applications, and how these should be used to enhance the accessibility of services (for example alt text, dynamic content, colour contrast).
  • How mobile applications are developed using appropriate development applications and the basics of the languages used.
  • The fundamentals of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), including the purpose, application and utilisation of WCAG in a variety of situations (for example web, mobile, desktop applications).
  • The basic principles of project management (including project life cycle methodologies), and how accessibility considerations are integrated.
  • The accessibility considerations when designing and developing an application's user experience using related standards and guidelines including ISO9241 Ergonomics of human-system interaction, The Principles of Universal Design by the Centre for Universal Design and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines to create an inclusive design.
  • How to use assistive technologies (both digital and physical), their use-cases and functionality, degrees of complexity (hi-tech, low-tech and no-tech).
  • How assistive technologies interact with other digital technologies.
  • The principles and application of testing methodologies to accessibility criteria and assistive technologies, and the impact of accessibility findings (including test documentation).
  • How to construct a business report (for example document layout and contents).
  • The purpose and importance of reasonable adjustments, and how these are managed.
  • Best practices regarding digital security including General Data Protection Regulations 2018, how these are applied to an organisation and the factors which can result in these being effective and how these can be mitigated.
  • The security considerations relating to the installation and utilisation of assistive technologies, how these tools may be misidentified by common security practices and the methods to mitigate such security constraints.
  • How to communicate through different mediums, including tailoring communications to different user groups.
  • How to use incident management tools, triage incidents and appropriately communicate with assistive technology users.
  • How to audit digital applications (including web and mobile applications) against digital assistive technologies including screen readers, screen magnifiers, speech to text and literacy aids.
  • The preparation and processes required to conduct training with a variety of user groups for example project managers, web designers, developers, end users and line management.
  • How accessibility fits into the wider digital landscape, including current/future applicable regulatory requirements, and case law in the area of discriminating against employees with a disability.
  • How to use data ethically and the implications for wider society, with respect to the use of data, automation and artificial intelligence.

Skills

  • Present information, (for example business cases, testing findings, general information etc.) to a variety of audiences to ensure understanding.
  • Use hardware and software based assistive technologies for a variety of applications (for example testing, training etc.)
  • Use Interpersonal skills to develop and maintain effective and credible professional relationships both within and outside the team.
  • Conduct testing against a variety of platforms using appropriate standards and/or guidelines and assistive technologies.
  • Conduct workshops, surveys or focus groups, including the set-up, running and conclusion activities.
  • Both written and verbal communication skills when working as a team or individually.
  • Solve problems using a logical and analytical approach.
  • Identify appropriate assistive technologies and adaptive strategies for an individual's disability.
  • Practice disability etiquette, when communicating with individuals with disabilities.
  • Apply accessibility standards and regulations to practice.
  • Uses productivities suites and implementing accessibility best practices (for example reading level, colour contrast etc.) into produced documentation.
  • Create business reports, business cases and documentation appropriate for the target audience (for example developers, management etc.)
  • Identifies and rectify issues being experienced using appropriate troubleshooting methods relating to a user's assistive technology.
  • Apply security best practices.
  • Apply accessibility guidelines (for example WCAG, ISO9241 Ergonomics of human-system interaction) when designing and developing solutions on a variety of platforms (for example web, mobile etc.)
  • Collate and research information, or statistics (for example disability statistics, appropriate assistive technology for specific disabilities and correct terminology) required to present, in a manner which is appropriate to the target audience of any training (for example project managers, web designers, developers, end users and line management).
  • Keep up-to-date with developments in technologies, trends and innovation using a range of sources.
  • Lead a group of individuals using basic leadership skills as to achieve a common goal.

Behaviours

  • Motivated, empathetic and driven in the field of accessibility and the wider digital sphere.
  • Proactively Inclusive.
  • Manages time effectively and adheres to timescales when producing work product.
  • Inquisitive, innovative and forward-thinking regarding digital technologies which could have beneficial implications for disabled individuals.
Apprenticeship category (sector)
Digital
Qualification level
4
Equal to higher national certificate (HNC)
Course duration
24 months
Maximum funding
£16,000
Maximum government funding for
apprenticeship training and assessment costs.
Job titles include
  • Digital Accessibility Specialist
  • Accessibility Subject Matter Expert (SME)
  • Accessibility Specialist
  • Accessibility Tester
  • Accessibility Consultant

View more information about Digital accessibility specialist (level 4) from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.