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Re: FW: Maryland Accessibility Job

for

From: Jonathan Metz
Date: May 27, 2014 9:33AM

Thanks for responding!

I think that the "lack of certification or consistent curriculum" is a
huge part of it.

Another challenge is probably trying to figure out where our field fits in
a specific category (the same categories typically found on a job board's
drop down menus). Graphic Design has had this problem for years: Is a web
designer the same thing as a graphic designer? Do they basically do the
same things as someone who writes software? All code is the same, right?

I think another problem is that major players in our field have different
ideas about how the rules are interpreted and therefore how accessibility
must be implemented. I suspect that as a community, we suffer from similar
problems the US government has with their Section 508 Coordinators: Too
many Sous Chefs without an Executive Chef for a bunch of different
kitchens.

I wouldn't be surprised if organizations human resources departments come
to us from time to time and get mixed results for what to ask for.

Jonathan





On 5/27/14, 9:25 AM, "Jonathan Avila" < <EMAIL REMOVED> > wrote:

>[Jonathan wrote] Why do organizations expect anything better from someone
>with a Master's degree specifically for this kind of position? The title
>doesn't include "Director", "Manager", "Senior".
>
>I share your frustration. I've seen situations where people with Master's
>Degrees were simply creating materials in alternative formats. Creating
>alternative formats doesn't require a Master's -- it requires someone who
>is
>knowledgeable in that area and can pass the requirements for creating
>materials that comply with a specification/standard in an appropriate
>amount
>of time.
>
>Part of the challenge may be that there is a lack of certification or
>consistent curriculum that organizations can point to in order to make
>sure
>candidates have the appropriate skill set.
>
>Jonathan
>
>