The Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 Information Technology Specialist (“ADA IT Specialist”) will play an integral role in the state government’s efforts to acquire, procure, and utilize information technology that is accessible to the Commonwealth’s employees with disabilities and citizens with disabilities, who need to access Executive Department agencies and public information services.

The ADA IT Specialist is responsible for coordinating activities necessary to ensure that the information technology acquired by state government is in compliance with all disability rights related federal and Massachusetts laws, regulations, policies, standards and procedures, including but not limited to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), ADAAA 2008, the Federal Rehabilitation Act (1973) as amended, Executive Order 526, the Governor’s Model Employer Program, Administration and Finance Administrative Bulletin #19, and the Information Technology Division’s Enterprise Information Technology Accessibility Standard and Web Accessibility Standard Version 2.

The ideal candidate will be a highly motivated team player with the ability to work independently with minimum instruction, whose knowledge and skills demonstrate an expert-level understanding of disability law with a concurrent proficient understanding of IT policies, standards, architecture, acquisition and development.

Duties

1. Serve as a primary resource within the Commonwealth for technical assistance and project management regarding the impact of disability laws on the acquisition, deployment and utilization of information technology.
2. Work with the Massachusetts Office on Disability (MOD), the Information Technology Division (ITD) and other executive offices to identify, mitigate and eliminate any barriers preventing access on an equal basis to information technology in the various programs, activities, and services of the Commonwealth.
3. Support the creation of and participate in accessibility advisory committees assigned to large scale IT projects, coordinating their ongoing work.
4. Work with the Secretariat/Agency ADA Coordinators and Secretariat CIO’s to ensure that they have adequate support and training to meet their day to day information technology-related accessibility obligations.
5. Become an active participant in user groups for major software vendors, articulating accessibility needs, and learning about accessibility solutions through those forums.
6. In conjunction with ITD, identify and coordinate the training of the Executive Department’s internal technology developers.
7. Stay abreast of and provide training across the Executive Department on changes in law pertaining to accessibility of technology and telecommunications.
8. Work with the Operational Services Division to audit postings to ensure that the Information Technology Division’s standard accessibility contract language is included in Requests for Responses and Requests for Quotations and collaborate with ITD on the issuance of policy guidance to CommPASS users regarding postings.
9. Consult with the Director of the Office on Disability and the Chief Information Officer as needed to keep them informed about emerging disability-related issues.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to accurately interpret and explain federal and state laws relating to disability and their application to the realm of information technology;
• Knowledge of information technology policies, standards, architecture, acquisition and development;
• Knowledge of and practical experience with the interplay of assistive technology, operating systems and information technology applications and their impact on accessibility;
• Ability to:
  -prepare and deliver training and public presentations;
  -exercise discretion in handling confidential information;
  -collaborate effectively with all levels of leadership within an agency to achieve strategic goals;
  -lead branch-wide efforts to achieve strategic goals;
  -coordinate reasonable accommodation process and implementation;
  -inspire respect, trust, and confidence among colleagues and members of the public;
  -complete written tasks clearly, concisely, and in a timely manner;
  -demonstrate an understanding of the impact of disability on daily living.

An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Posted 5 days ago in Information Technology