Accessibility Digitization Specialist

Princeton University Library seeks an experienced and motivated  accessibility digitization specialist with a strong public service orientation to work in the Fulfillment Services Unit of the Content Access Department of Princeton University Library. The accessibility specialist serves as the Library's primary point of contact for matters related to the accessibility of print and digital library resources.

Princeton University Library is committed to recruiting a diverse workforce and advancing the University's commitment to racial equity within our community and in the world. We encourage candidates from all diverse backgrounds and life experiences to apply for our positions. 

This position supports accommodations for students with disabilities as requested, by evaluating and remediating course materials via digitization to ensure they are fully accessible to users of assistive technologies. The Specialist searches for and evaluates the accessibility of born-digital and already digitized materials, as well as the feasibility and methods of appropriate digitization of physical materials when necessary, to ensure they are remediated and delivered accessibly to students to fulfill their requests in time for their course needs. The work also includes interfacing with commercial service providers as needed for complex document remediation needs. The Specialist manages the end-to-end submission, processing and fulfillment of requests and materials, monitors progress and validates quality of deliverables provided, working as needed with the students for whom they were requested.

The Specialist leverages expertise in digitization and remediation technologies, partnering closely with the Office of Disability Services (ODS) from whom requests for digitization and remediation are received, and collaborating with other campus stakeholders, accessibility service providers and advocates on campus (such as the Office of Information Technology and the McGraw Center for Teaching & Learning) as needed to carry out the Library tasks of the role. The Specialist also works directly with faculty as needed to clarify and align on requested course reading assignments of textual, visual or other-format content.

The position represents PUL’s content-accessibility needs with external partnerships and consortial organizations (e.g. HathiTrust, Center for Research Libraries, IPLC, ReCAP). In support of the University's Digital Accessibility Policy, the Specialist continually develops and maintains the currency of their expertise in the evolving field of accessibility digitization and remediation, and keeps abreast of the latest advancements in remediation technologies, copyright intricacies, and the impacts of emerging media formats, and how they might apply to the Library context at PUL.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and work experiences.
• Minimum of three years of professional experience in document accessibility.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Expertise in and complete understanding of best practices for remediating accessible documents and meeting WCAG criteria.
• Demonstrated ability to write contextually meaningful alternative text.
• Experience using screen readers and text-to-speech tools to test accessibility.
• Ability to utilize computer technology for communication, data gathering and reporting activities.
• Experience providing training, and creating and updating training materials.
• Demonstrated initiative, flexibility, and ability to adapt to changing work priorities.
• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, work independently while also being a good team player, and engage in proactive problem solving.
• Strong skills with Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Office, Google Workspace/GSuite tools (especially Google Drive, Docs and Sheets), and ABBY FineReader and Sensus Access to OCR and convert files.
• Familiarity with common tools for creating braille, tactile graphics, large print, PDF, and EPUB documents.
• Commitment to learning new skills, tools, and technologies as necessary.
• Strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and to engagement with diverse populations.
• Physical requirements include bending and stretching, lifting books which are often heavy, and moving large book trucks.

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Rehabilitation, or a related field. Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited library or information science program.
• Work experience in a large academic library environment with an integrated library system.
• Work experience with online course management systems such as Canvas or Blackboard.
• Experience with software, tools and databases used for resource sharing and reserves management.
• Expert knowledge of or professional work experience with common tools for creating braille, tactile graphics, large print, PDF, and EPUB documents.
• Deep understanding of principles and best practices of disability services related to providing ADA-compliant accessible documents.
• Understanding of remediation technology, copyright issues, and implications as media types evolve.
• Ability to coordinate projects successfully with multiple participants and partners, and to follow up, seek input and provide timely updates as needed.

Work schedule: Monday-Friday 8:45am-5:00pm; Summer 8:30am-4:30pm. Some evening and weekend work may be required.

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS