Working Title: Vision and Accessible Media Accommodations Specialist

State Role Title: Education Support Specialist III

Position Type: Full-time Staff (Classified)

Position Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt: Eligible for Overtime

 

College/Division: Accessibility and Belonging

Department: 100491 - ADA Special Account

 

Pay Band: 4

Pay Rate: Pay Range

Specify Range or Amount: $52,000 - $54,615 

 

Is this a JMU only position? No

Is this a grant-funded position? No

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No

 

Beginning Review Date: 07/16/2026

 

About JMU:

At James Madison University (JMU), we’re more than just a publicly funded institution — we’re a vibrant, welcoming community located on a stunning campus where innovation, collaboration, and personal growth thrive. Our mission is to prepare students for a bright future, and we believe that starts with supporting the people who make it all possible: our employees.

Why Work at JMU?
We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your professional journey and personal wellbeing:
• Generous Leave: Enjoy paid vacation, sick leave, parental leave, community service leave, and 19 paid holidays annually.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Access high-quality health insurance options that fit your needs.
• Retirement Options: Plan for your future with retirement benefits through the Virginia Retirement System.
• Employee Well-Being: Our Balanced Dukes program promotes wellness and work-life integration through resources, events, and support.
• Tuition Waiver Program: Advance your education with our tuition waiver program for undergraduate and graduate courses taken at JMU.

At JMU, we believe in Being the Change — and that starts with creating an environment where you can grow, contribute meaningfully, and feel supported every step of the way.

Discover what makes JMU a great place to work: bit.ly/JMUEmployment

 

General Information:

The Visual & Accessible Media Accommodations Specialist is a core part of the Accessible Media and Technology program in the Office of Disability Services, supporting students who need alternative formats and/or assistive technology and prioritizing students who are blind and/or visually impaired. This position will support JMU in meeting its legal and ethical obligations to provide reasonable accommodations and equal access for students with disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Depending on the volume of student accommodation needs and production priorities, the role will also assist the department with direct student services, data collection, assessment, and other technology-related projects, and externally with training and outreach on accessibility-related topics.

 

Duties and Responsibilities:

#1: Accessible Formats Production:

• Primary decision-maker for the provision of reasonable accommodations related to visual impairment. Responsibility for independently assessing, comprehending, and converting visual information into accurate accessible formats in a timely manner for use with screen readers and text-to-speech software; production of braille (including specialized formats such as text, math, graphics, etc. in appropriate braille notations); as well as tactile formats, large print, audio described videos, etc.
• Independently track requests to ensure quality assurance and timely delivery of materials
• Support or take lead responsibility for other accessible format production areas, as determined by student accommodation needs and production priorities. This would include but not be limited to the provision of electronic text, text-to-speech and speech-to-text programs, captioned videos, transcripts, etc.
• Research, recommend, maintain, and assist with selection and procurement of specialized software and equipment, prioritizing creating access for students who are blind and visually impaired.
• Test information and communication technology for accessibility to screen reading software and other assistive technology related to the provision of accommodations.
• Maintain a high level of knowledge/expertise regarding the issues surrounding access for people who are blind and visually impaired, as well as general digital accessibility.

#2: Support to JMU students, staff, and faculty:

• Provide accommodations support for students needing accessible formats and assistive technology—prioritizing students with vision-related accommodations—including consultations, advice, training, etc. as needed.
• Assist with intake and follow-up meetings for new students utilizing Accessible Media accommodations.
• Consult with faculty, staff, and students to solve problems and design accommodations.
• Collaborate with Accessible Media teammates to coordinate with professors who are teaching students with vision-related accommodations or other students requiring extensive accommodations.
• Engage in outreach and education to the JMU community, sharing expertise on topics including but not limited to disability and visual impairment in particular, accessibility of information and communication technology, design and testing of digital accessibility, universal design in teaching, etc.
• Produce instructional trainings and educational content, such as web content and reference materials, designed for various audiences.
• Represent ODS on JMU committees as designated.
• Other duties as assigned by ODS staff.

#3: Team Leader for Student Employees:

• Participate with Accessible Media staff to select, train, and delegate tasks to student staff. Provide support and assistance to all student staff as needed.
• Independently serve as team leader for Accessible Media student staff involved in visual accommodations program production, including training, organizing and tracking tasks, overseeing quality, etc. Depending on student accommodation needs and production priorities, the position may also or alternately serve as team lead or support for student employees involved in other Accessible Media production areas.
• Design and compile training materials and resources for Accessible Media.

#4: Program Improvement and Support for Accessible Media and ODS

• Support the departmental efforts for assessment, measurement and reporting.
• Research and experiment with new software, hardware, assistive technology, and techniques to improve the production of accessible formats, develop new production capacity, and provide effective accommodations.
• Assist Accessible Media supervisor with departmental computer inventory and equipment ordering, installation, and set up, as needed.
• Support ODS staff in creating accessible digital content and checking products for accessibility prior to purchase.
• Troubleshoot problems with software and equipment in ODS, Test Proctoring, and the Accessible Technology Labs.
• Serve as effective ODS team member and participate in departmental meetings and projects.
• Pursue professional development opportunities such as conferences, webinars, trainings, etc. related to position.

Other duties as assigned by ODS staff.

• While the primary job functions listed above take precedence, the following duties are performed as secondary responsibilities and only when Accessible Media workload priorities related to the provision of reasonable accommodations have been met:
  
  • Review disability documentation for eligibility and accommodation purposes and participate in consultation as appropriate.
  • Provide direct student services, including intake consultations, registration, accommodation request response, development of accommodations and auxiliary aids, and ongoing support.

Qualifications:

Required qualifications:

• Some experience with assistive technology and accessible media, especially for individuals with blindness or other visual impairment.
• Ability to independently and reliably assess, comprehend, and convert visual information into accurate accessible formats in a timely manner.
• Experience supporting people with disabilities, especially in higher education.
• Demonstrated ability to quickly acquire working knowledge of new technologies and production methods.
• Experience installing, maintaining, trouble shooting, and providing training on a variety of software and hardware.
• Experience crafting and delivering educational materials and trainings, especially in a higher education environment.
• Time management skills resulting in the ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects and deadlines concurrently.
• Experience working collaboratively in teams and across departments, as well as developing and directing projects independently.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.

Additional Considerations

• Experience using some or all of the following: screen readers (NVDA, JAWS, Voice Over), text-to-speech programs and speech-to-text programs, enlargers (software, handheld, etc.), as well as producing accessible formats such as Braille, tactile graphics, large print, audio description, accessible documents, and captioned videos.
• Experience applying the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines and sharing that information with others.
  Experience testing accessibility of digital products, including websites, software, documents, etc.
• Knowledge of and skills related to implementing Universal Design and Universal Design for Learning principles.
• Knowledge of requirements under FERPA to respect and maintain confidentiality.
• Understanding of the Americans with Disabilities Act as well as other federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to people with disabilities and to digital accessibility, including the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.

Additional Posting Information:

 

 

Conditions of Employment:  

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

 

EEO Statement:

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.

We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.

Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.

 

Reasonable Accommodation:

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or jobs@jmu.edu. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.