Disability Equity Coordinator

Position Summary

The Disability Equity Coordinator for the Office for People with Disabilities is responsible for leading and overseeing the implementation of digital accessibility initiatives to ensure compliance with relevant accessibility standards and regulations. This position plays a key role in advancing digital equity by ensuring that all digital content, including websites, mobile applications, and other digital platforms, is accessible to individuals with disabilities. The Coordinator will collaborate with cross-functional teams and stakeholders to identify barriers, recommend solutions, and drive accessibility improvements. Project management experience is preferred to effectively coordinate and deliver accessibility-focused projects.

This includes advocating for systemic changes to address inequities and barriers faced by the disability community, as well as ensuring compliance with digital accessibility standards such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

Essential Functions

• Advocate for the rights of people with disabilities in city planning, policymaking, service delivery, and digital communications.
• Promote digital accessibility initiatives, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within scope, and on budget.
• Coordinate with design, development, quality assurance (QA), and the Office of Innovation and Technology (OIT) to embed accessibility requirements throughout the product lifecycle.
• Develop and maintain project plans, timelines, and detailed status reports to communicate progress to stakeholders.
• Prepare and present reports on the progress and outcomes of disability equity and accessibility initiatives to city leadership and other stakeholders.
• Oversee and conduct accessibility audits of websites, mobile applications, and software to ensure compliance with WCAG, ADA, Section 508, and other relevant standards.
• Identify accessibility gaps, develop recommendations, and collaborate with teams to implement corrective actions.
• Perform or coordinate manual and automated accessibility testing to support continuous improvement.
• Partner with cross-functional teams—including design, engineering, product management, and marketing—to integrate accessibility into overall product strategy.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on digital accessibility, providing guidance and training to internal and external stakeholders.
• Advocate for and help create inclusive digital experiences that meet the needs of users with visual, auditory, cognitive, and motor impairments.
• Prepare and deliver regular reports on accessibility performance, audit findings, and compliance status.
• Stay current with evolving accessibility standards, technologies, tools, and best practices.
• Support project teams in integrating accessibility into workflows, ensuring compliance at every stage of digital content development.
• Address accessibility inquiries from staff, vendors, and stakeholders, offering solutions for improving access to digital resources.
• Work closely with community stakeholders, advocacy groups, and individuals with disabilities to identify issues, gather feedback, and ensure community voices are reflected in the city’s initiatives.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of disability equity and digital accessibility programs, making data-driven recommendations for improvements.
• Collect and analyze data related to disability access and inclusion (physical and digital) to inform policy decisions.
• All other duties as assigned.

Required Competencies, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge

• In-depth knowledge of digital accessibility standards and regulations, including WCAG 2.1, ADA, Section 508, and the implications of the ADA’s final rule for local governments.
• Strong understanding of assistive technologies (e.g., JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver) and their practical applications in various environments.
• Familiarity with Pennsylvania state accessibility laws, regulations, and best practices.
• Knowledge of accessibility issues and solutions related to mobile applications (iOS and Android).
• Working with web development technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript and how they relate to digital accessibility.
• Knowledge of procurement processes related to accessibility, including review of Voluntary Product Accessibility Templates (VPATs).

Skills

• Proficiency with accessibility testing tools and platforms, such as Axe, Lighthouse, WAVE, JAWS, NVDA, and VoiceOver.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to convey technical concepts and accessibility requirements to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Skilled in conducting comprehensive accessibility audits of websites, software, digital documents (PDF, Word, Excel, PowerPoint), and mobile applications.
• Skill in preparing detailed technical audit reports with actionable recommendations.
• Project coordination skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities, timelines, and stakeholders effectively.
• Capable of developing and delivering training for internal staff on digital accessibility best practices, inclusive design, and document remediation.
• Experience collaborating with IT, design, content, and procurement teams to drive accessibility improvements and compliance.

Abilities

• Ability to assess and prioritize areas of non-compliance and coordinate remediation strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage accessibility initiatives across cross-functional teams.
• Ability to conduct accessibility risk assessments and guide appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Ability to stay current with evolving digital accessibility standards, laws, tools, and best practices.
• Capacity to navigate complex regulatory environments and advocate for inclusive digital solutions within government and institutional frameworks.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• Ability to foster a culture of accessibility and inclusion across departments and digital services.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• At least two years of experience in disability accessibility, disability advocacy, digital accessibility, web development, or related field.

We value diverse experiences and are open to flexible qualifications. If you are passionate about this role and meet some of the key criteria, we encourage you to apply.

Additional Information

TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a cover letter, resume, and writing sample.

Salary Range: $60,000-$75,000

Discover the Perks of Being a City of Philadelphia Employee:

• Transportation: City employees get unlimited FREE public transportation all year long through SEPTA’s Key Advantage program. Employees can ride on SEPTA buses, subways, trolleys, and regional rail for their daily commute and more.
• Parental Benefits: The City offers its employees 8 weeks of paid parental leave.
• We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.
• Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
• Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Generous retirement savings options are available
• Pay off your student loans faster - As a qualifying employer, City of Philadelphia employees are eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Join the ranks of hundreds of employees who have already benefited from this program and achieved student loan forgiveness.
• Unlock Tuition Discounts and Scholarships - The City of Philadelphia has forged partnerships with over a dozen esteemed colleges and universities in the area, ensuring that our employees have access to a wide range of tuition discounts and scholarships. Experience savings of 10% to 40% on your educational expenses, extending not only to City employees but in some cases, spouse and dependents too!

Join the City of Philadelphia team today and seize these incredible benefits designed to enhance your financial well-being and personal growth!

*The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire

Effective May 22, 2023, vaccinations are no longer required for new employees that work in non-medical, non-emergency or patient facing positions with the City of Philadelphia. As a result, only employees in positions providing services that are patient-facing medical care (ex: Nurses, doctors, emergency medical personnel), must be fully vaccinated.

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to faqpchr@phila.gov.

For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx