Accessibility Professional

World Services for the Blind is proud to offer pathways for the blind and visually impaired to become accessibility professionals. As companies strive to implement Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access (DEIA) efforts, the demand for individuals with first-hand lived experience and knowledge of accessibility software and hardware grow rapidly. Companies are searching for motivated individuals willing to share their first-hand lived experiences and are dedicated to leveling the field of access for all. Companies are now conscious that their products and services across all industries must be universally designed and accessible to all or they miss out on an untapped market—the Disabled. For the blind and visually impaired community, this means our skills are in demand. Companies choosing to create all-inclusive products are searching for accessibility professionals who are blind and visually impaired to work alongside their development teams, establishing a proactive, accessible content creation model that addresses the needs of all users.

The Accessibility Professional program covers a wide variety of topics. Students will study some of the core software that allows access to information, earning their expert certifications in JAWS, ZoomText/Fusion, and NVDA. Students will also become proficient in Windows Accessibility features, as well as the built-in accessibility features of IOS and Android devices.

The then turns to the more general principles, models, and laws that make the accessibility industry what it is today. As students near the end of the Accessibility Professional program, they will register for and complete their major certification exam. The International Association of Accessibility Professionals offers the Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies exam and certification. The body of knowledge required for the CPACC certification will give students an understanding of principles of accessibility and disability, as well as the regulatory framework that supports access for individuals with disabilities worldwide. Therefore, upon completion of the Accessibility Professional course, students will be required to sit for and successfully complete their CPACC exam.

Individuals who complete the Accessibility Professional course will learn to identify a variety of disabilities and challenges, use assistive technologies, compare and contrast accessibility and usability, identify local and international standards, laws, and management strategies in order to develop plans and actions resulting in products and services universally designed for all in mind. Students in this course will also take part in a small business management course aiding graduates in weighing their options in future employment.

The mission of the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP), a division of the Global Initiative for Inclusive ICT’s (G3ict), is to define, promote, improve, and diversify the accessibility profession globally through certification, education, and networking in order to enable the creation of accessible products, content, services, and environments.

Learn more about IAAP here.

• Exemplify strong Assistive Technology skills in either JAWS, NVDA, Narrator, mobile screen readers Voice Over and Talk Back, or ZoomText, Windows Magnifier, and mobile magnification.

• Solve problems in a logical order

• Work in a position with minimal supervision

• Write clearly

• Speak clearly

• Possess a positive attitude and remain flexible to change

• Type at 35 words per minute

• 12th grade reading, writing and math

• Accessibility Specialist

• Accessibility Tester

• Accessibility Industry Specialist

• User Experience Auditor

• “user interface Auditor

• Web Access Auditor

• Digital Accessibility Specialist

• Web Design Accessibility Specialist,

• Accessibility Engineer

• Digital Accessibility Subject Matter Expert

• Access Consultant

Workforce Development Services are offered at WSB to provide individuals with visual impairments with the tools needed to enhance and sustain their employability. Through our prevocational and vocational training programs, we provide the education and skills training to jobseekers that employers are looking to hire long term. By producing qualified workers, it helps the individual become more marketable and benefits the employer by reducing their cost of on-the-job training and improving turnover rates for their company. WSB’s focus is to provide services of employment assistance for jobseekers with visual impairments which will assist them in getting competitive integrated employment. Through job preparation and job coaching, certain tools and resources will be provided for the client to be successful in their job search, such as assistance in locating local job fairs, employment workshops, and/or participation in online or virtual job fairs.

In the first 30 days, an extensive assessment is completed in order for WSB to meet the client’s needs where they are. An extensive Interpretive Career Report will be provided to the client and their Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor on the assessment of their career interests, career training potentials, job satisfaction indicators, career exploration and career recommendations completed with the assistance of our qualified workforce staff and a Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist. Each client’s program will be individualized based on their needs and level of employability. During the skills evaluation period, students will work on a career readiness program tailored to their personal needs in areas such as, their academic skills in areas they may need improvement, assistive technology and computer literacy, daily living skills, and orientation and mobility skills training. Each individual will learn how to complete a resume or update their current resume, interviewing skills, “dress for success” skills, participate in mock interviews, learn soft skills, independent living skills and essential workplace skills. This will assist in the client’s preparation and future choices of a Pre-Vocational or Vocational program, or their area of interest for employment.

Internships:

WSB offers opportunities for internships, on-the-job training, or work experience training to allow an individual who is blind or visually impaired to acquire the knowledge and skills required for the performance of a specific job. These work opportunities, when properly planned and monitored, can serve as a valuable service to people who are blind and visually impaired to acquire job skills. These opportunities may be unpaid, paid or client will receive an agreed upon stipend, depending on the rules of your state agency and your individual plan of employment. Opportunities are available for graduates of WSB vocational programs, clients trying to build job experience/work history, or professionals needing to learn additional skills in one of our many career tracks. For more information contact us at Training@wsblind.org.