Photo by me in the Rocky Mountains. Broomfield is not super photogenic.
Background
After working as the head of security for a popular restaurant and nightclub in the college town of Boulder, Colorado, I returned to the communications work at the City of Brighton. Part of the appeal in this role is the narrow focus in digital and website accessibility, but the role has become so much more.
Essential duties
Trained and supervised a group of over 50 writers, editors, and contributors to the City of Brighton website, working with them on web content and accessibility.
Conducted a comprehensive review of all 2,500+ pages of BrightonCo.Gov to find ADA compliance, accessibility issues, and general website failings.
Created a new set of standard operating procedures for how to structure web pages, write content, as well as implement accessibility standards and website best practices.
Utilized tools such as Site Improve to track the website’s accessibility, quality assurance, digital certainty, and SEO.
Worked across departments with subject matter experts to create the most accessible website possible.
Orchestrated demonstrations of assistive technologies to staff, highlighting the importance of accessibility and ADA compliance.
My favorite part
Part of my job at every stop, since working at the University of Iowa Health Care, has involved ADA compliance and creating accessible digital media.
What I really liked at this position was the focus on accessibility and the difference my role made. Having experience working and living with those who are differently-abled helped realize even the most minor changes to accessibility in digital media can help quality of life immensely.