Digital accessibility requires more than just temporary attention. It is therefore not enough to ‘only’ improve the accessibility of a website. If, for example, the editors continue to publish inaccessible content, the improvement has achieved nothing.
Because organisations do not always succeed in tackling the digital transformation successfully, Accessibility Desk offers an interim project leader in digital accessibility. In this blog you can read about our idea of the role of a project leader for digital accessibility. Do you already have questions? Contact us for more information about everything related to digital accessibility.
What does a project manager digital accessibility do?
Why should you choose a project leader for digital accessibility? Maybe because it is meant to make your online products accessible. Or to keep them accessible. It is not only important that your websites, apps and intranets become accessible, but also that they remain accessible. The project leader therefore acts as a spider in the web of different departments in your organisation that deal with online content.
Some of the tasks of a digital accessibility project leader are:
Making an overview of the websites, apps and intranets.
Organisations often lack insight into which websites, apps and intranets exactly fall under the responsibility of the organisation. The project manager therefore ensures that an overview of all websites is created, so that no digital products are left out.
Appoint a person responsible for each website
When the overview of the websites is ready, you can communicate with the people responsible for each website. But who is ultimately responsible? In practice, we see various people working on a website, from editors and web builders to recruiters and bloggers. They all have an influence on the accessibility of the website.
The digital accessibility project leader, in cooperation with the team, appoints a lead person. This person is the link within the project between the project leader and the team members.
Planning and coordinating the accessibility studies
When it is clear which websites are the responsibility of the organisation and who is participating in the project, you can get to work. But, what actually needs to be done? In order to get a clear picture and to comply with the legal obligations concerning digital accessibility, the project leader schedules accessibility audits.
These WCAG-EM audits are carried out by a digital accessibility research bureau (accredited by the DDAI), such as the Accessible Desk.
During these surveys, the research bureau tests the websites on the 50 criteria of the WCAG, level A and level AA. They present the findings in a research report.
Discussing the results of the accessibility studies
The project manager discusses the results of the audit with the research bureau, the person responsible for each website and possibly an external supplier, such as a web builder. By inviting the supplier of the website directly to this discussion, the parties involved can pick up possible improvements faster.
Drawing up accessibility statements
The output of the accessibility survey and the feedback from the supplier are used to draw up an accessibility statement for each website. This statement states the current state of accessibility of the website, the improvements that will be made and the time frame in which the supplier will implement them.
The accessibility statement is published in the central register and placed on the website.
Implementing the improvement
The previous steps have identified the shortcomings in the field of digital accessibility. Now it is time to improve them. Often the improvements can be divided into two parts: one part that the website editors can improve themselves and one part that has to be taken care of by the web builder.
The project leader divides the tasks and ensures that each party knows what needs to be done. During this process, the project leader is available for questions about accessibility.
Digital accessibility training
The Digital Accessibility project leaders regularly give internal training courses. For example, they give training in accessible content, digital accessibility for developers, or digital accessibility for UX-designers.
This transfer of knowledge ensures that the organisation can continue to improve accessibility internally, even when the project leader has left.
Central contact point
The project leader is the central contact in an organisation for all questions concerning accessibility. The project leader has probably already experienced all problems that arise. Questions about accessibility are therefore answered quickly by e-mail or telephone.
In which organisations does a project leader work?
A project leader can work in any organisation. The legislation, WCAG and technology behind websites and apps do not change per sector. Project leaders are often employed in government and semi-government organisations, municipalities, banks and insurers, cultural institutions and companies in the commercial sector.
The advantages of an interim project leader
In practice, a project leader for digital accessibility acts as a contact person between all parties involved. The project leader shares knowledge and leads the project in the right direction. The advantages of a project leader for digital accessibility are:
- A sustainable policy on digital accessibility
- Measuring results (zero and final measurements)
- Combining different departments and disciplines
- Trainings for different departments (awareness, UX, content and front-end)
- More awareness and knowledge within your organisation
- Creating accessible content, new and retrospective
- Assistance in complying with legislation
More information project leader digital accessibility
Do you want more information about what a project leader digital accessibility can mean for your organisation? We are happy to tell you more. Please contact us for more information.
