Communications Compliance Specialist – Digital Accessibility / WCAG 2.1

Location: Indiana
Work Arrangement: Hybrid – 3 days onsite / 2 days remote
Employment Type: Contract
Contract Duration: Approximately 6 months
Pay Rate: $28.89/hour
Interview Process: Initial interview via Microsoft Teams; second-round interview requires in-person attendance

Position Overview

We are seeking a detail-oriented Communications Compliance Specialist to support a focused digital accessibility initiative.

The selected specialist will help review, update, and remediate digital communications, forms, documents, and web content to support compliance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA.

This position combines digital accessibility, technical writing, content remediation, quality assurance, project coordination, and web-content support. The specialist will work collaboratively with communications, program, and web teams to improve the accessibility, usability, and clarity of public-facing digital materials.

The ideal candidate has hands-on experience reviewing and remediating digital content for accessibility, using accessibility-testing tools, creating plain-language content, and coordinating multiple accessibility-related deliverables.

Key Responsibilities

Digital Accessibility & WCAG Compliance

• Review existing forms, documents, web pages, and digital content for compliance with WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards.
• Identify accessibility barriers and recommend appropriate remediation.
• Review document tagging, semantic structure, heading hierarchy, reading order, color contrast, alternative text, and screen-reader compatibility.
• Help ensure digital materials are accessible and usable by individuals with disabilities.
• Stay current with accessibility requirements, standards, and industry best practices.

Content Review & Remediation

• Revise, rewrite, and restructure digital content to improve accessibility and usability.
• Apply plain-language principles to written content.
• Improve document organization and semantic structure.
• Develop and review meaningful alternative text for images and visual content.
• Work with content owners to remediate inaccessible materials.
• Ensure updated materials maintain accuracy while meeting accessibility standards.

PDF & Document Accessibility

• Review PDF documents for accessibility issues.
• Use Adobe Acrobat accessibility features to identify and remediate document problems.
• Review document tags, headings, lists, tables, reading order, links, and alternative text.
• Conduct quality-assurance reviews of remediated documents.
• Verify that accessibility corrections have been implemented accurately.

Website Accessibility

• Review HTML pages and digital web content for accessibility issues.
• Collaborate with web and content teams to remediate accessibility barriers.
• Review interactive web elements for accessibility considerations.
• Support accessible web-publishing practices.
• Assist with content-management and website-governance activities.

Accessibility Testing

• Use automated and manual accessibility-testing techniques.
• Utilize tools such as:
  • WAVE
  • Axe
  • Adobe Acrobat accessibility tools
  • Similar accessibility-checking platforms
• Document accessibility findings and remediation status.
• Conduct follow-up reviews to validate completed corrections.

Quality Assurance

• Perform QA reviews of remediated documents and web content.
• Confirm that accessibility fixes meet established requirements.
• Identify outstanding accessibility issues.
• Document deficiencies and recommend corrective actions.
• Support consistent accessibility standards across digital materials.

Project Tracking & Coordination

• Track accessibility reviews, remediation activities, outstanding issues, and completed work.
• Coordinate multiple accessibility-related assignments and deadlines.
• Monitor project progress and identify potential risks.
• Work across multiple teams to ensure deliverables are completed on schedule.
• Prepare status updates and accessibility-compliance reports.

Training & Guidance

• Provide guidance to staff responsible for creating and publishing digital content.
• Explain accessibility standards in practical, easy-to-understand terms.
• Provide recommendations regarding accessible content creation.
• Support development of accessibility best practices and reference materials.
• Help establish consistent accessibility practices across teams.

Documentation & Reporting

• Prepare documentation summarizing:
  • Accessibility findings
  • Remediation completed
  • Outstanding issues
  • Compliance improvements
  • Recommended long-term practices
• Document accessibility processes and recommended standards.
• Help support sustainable accessibility and content-governance practices.

Required Qualifications

• At least 2 years of experience in technical writing, digital communications, or web content.
• At least 2 years of experience with WCAG 2.1 Level AA accessibility requirements.
• At least 2 years of experience using accessibility tools such as WAVE, Axe, or similar tools.
• At least 2 years of experience creating plain-language content.
• Strong writing and editing skills.
• Strong understanding of accessible digital communication principles.
• Knowledge of document tagging and semantic document structure.
• Understanding of screen-reader compatibility and accessible content practices.
• Strong computer skills.
• Experience using Microsoft Word.
• Experience using Adobe Acrobat.
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate projects and manage multiple deadlines.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across teams.
• Exceptional attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience tracking accessibility projects and monitoring remediation progress.
• Experience with Content Management Systems and web-publishing workflows.
• Experience working in government, public health, or other regulated environments.
• Experience evaluating and remediating content specifically for WCAG 2.1 compliance.
• Accessibility certification such as:
  • CPACC – Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies
  • WAS – Web Accessibility Specialist

Core Technical Skills

• WCAG 2.1 Level AA
• ADA digital accessibility
• Digital accessibility remediation
• WAVE
• Axe
• Adobe Acrobat accessibility tools
• Microsoft Word
• PDF remediation
• Screen-reader compatibility
• Document tagging
• Semantic structure
• Alternative text
• Color contrast
• Plain-language writing
• Web-content accessibility
• HTML accessibility
• Content Management Systems
• Web publishing
• Accessibility QA
• Project tracking

Ideal Candidate Profile

The strongest candidate will have direct, hands-on experience performing WCAG 2.1 Level AA accessibility reviews and remediation rather than only general communications or web-content experience.

An ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• 2+ years of hands-on WCAG accessibility experience.
• Experience auditing and remediating PDFs, documents, and web content.
• Practical experience with WAVE, Axe, Adobe Acrobat, or comparable accessibility tools.
• Strong knowledge of document tagging, semantic structure, reading order, alternative text, and screen-reader accessibility.
• Experience rewriting technical or complicated information using plain-language principles.
• Strong writing and editing skills.
• Experience conducting QA after accessibility remediation.
• Ability to track multiple accessibility issues and remediation activities simultaneously.
• Experience communicating accessibility requirements to nontechnical stakeholders.
• CMS or web-publishing experience.
• Government, public-health, or regulated-environment experience as an added advantage.

Candidate Screening Priorities

When reviewing resumes, look first for clear evidence of:

1. WCAG 2.1 Level AA – minimum 2 years
2. WAVE, Axe, or comparable accessibility-testing tools – minimum 2 years
3. Technical writing, digital communications, or web content – minimum 2 years
4. Plain-language content development – minimum 2 years
5. PDF/document accessibility remediation
6. Adobe Acrobat accessibility experience
7. Web accessibility and HTML-content remediation
8. Accessibility QA/testing
9. CMS/web-publishing experience
10. Accessibility certifications such as CPACC or WAS

Candidates whose resumes only mention accessibility as a general responsibility, without showing actual auditing, testing, WCAG remediation, or accessible-content work, may not be strong matches.

Work Arrangement

This is a hybrid position requiring three days per week onsite and two days remote. Candidates must be comfortable meeting the onsite requirement throughout the assignment.

The engagement is anticipated to last approximately six months.

Interview Process

• Initial interview will be conducted through Microsoft Teams.
• Candidates selected for a second interview must be available to attend in person.

Application Information

Qualified candidates should submit an updated resume that clearly identifies:

• Years of WCAG 2.1 experience
• WCAG Level AA remediation projects
• WAVE, Axe, or other accessibility-testing tools used
• PDF and Adobe Acrobat accessibility experience
• Technical-writing or digital-content experience
• Plain-language content experience
• Web accessibility experience
• CMS or web-publishing experience
• Accessibility QA experience
• Relevant accessibility certifications, if applicable
• Ability to work onsite three days per week in Indiana