Building an Accessibility Team – Hiring the right specialists for the job – copy of old version

#29743

Speaker(s)

  • Jacqueline Tolisano, Engagement Manager, Optum

Session Details

  • Length of Session: 1-hr
  • Format: Lecture
  • Expertise Level: Beginner
  • Type of session: General Conference

Summary

This session discusses tips, tricks, and techniques for hiring qualified accessibility experts to help any organization meet its accessibility goals including tips on how to structure an interview process, what questions to ask during interviews, addressing different types of accessibility skills, and how to grow your own accessibility experts.

Abstract

Having a structured hiring process specific to accessibility ensures you hire the right candidates for the job. In order to effectively manage the hiring process it’s important to: • Understand the size team you will need to effectively manage accessibility work for your organization • Hiring accessibility engineers with a variety of accessibility expertise (document, mobile, web, etc) • Fully vet potential candidates by asking important questions that reveal their technical knowledge, soft skills, and overall team fit. • Grow your own experts – develop a training program to bring in interested internal candidates

Jacqui will share her experience as a hiring manager in helping Optum and United Healthcare hire qualified candidates for their ever-growing accessibility services team.

Keypoints

  1. Learn how to structure your own hiring process tailored to meeting your accessibility needs.
  2. Hire the right candidates by asking the right questions during your interviews
  3. Develop a Grow Your Own program to train internal candidates about accessibility

Disability Areas

All Areas

Topic Areas

Other, Uncategorized

Speaker Bio(s)

Jacqueline Tolisano

Jacqueline Tolisano is an EngaManager at Optum and a web accessibility subject matter expert. She leads a team of digital accessibility engineers who complete assessment and validation work to ensure the company’s online content meets WCAG 2.0 AA standards. Prior to her role at Optum, she worked for the Carroll Center for the Blind in Newton, MA as a Web Accessibility Specialist. She enjoys helping others learn about accessibility and sharing her passion for making content truly enjoyable for all users.