ADA Coordinator and Accessibility Manager - What's the difference?
In the bustling world of accessibility in the United States, two titles often emerge: ADA Coordinators and Accessibility Managers. While sometimes overlapping, these positions serve distinct and crucial organizational functions. Here, I review what sets these roles apart and why each is vital in its own right.
ADA Coordinators: Guardians of Compliance
ADA Coordinators are the tenacious defenders of people with disabilities, largely entrusted with the role of ensuring the company they work for complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Their primary mission is to coordinate and implement activities that identify gaps and run remediation efforts to align the company overall with ADA standards. It's important to note that their focus isn't on technology or solely on customers. Instead, ADA Coordinators have a broader scope that encompasses various aspects of accessibility compliance.
Key Responsibilities of ADA Coordinators
Conducting ADA Self-Evaluations and Developing Transition Plans: One of the core duties of an ADA Coordinator is to conduct comprehensive evaluations of the organization’s facilities and services. This involves identifying areas where accessibility improvements are needed and developing detailed transition plans to address these gaps. Sometimes, the evaluations are completed internally. In larger companies, sometimes, the evaluations involve outside vendors managed by the ADA Coordinator.
Receiving and Resolving ADA Complaints: ADA Coordinators serve as the primary point of contact for ADA-related complaints not related to the product. They are responsible for investigating these complaints and working towards satisfactory resolutions, ensuring that the organization gains compliance and is responsive to the needs of individuals with disabilities.
Ensuring Accessibility of New Facilities and Alterations: Whenever new facilities are built or existing ones are altered, ADA Coordinators play a pivotal role in ensuring that these buildings comply with ADA standards. This involves close collaboration with architects, engineers, and contractors to integrate accessibility features throughout the entire building. For multinational companies, this may involve applying American accessibility laws to buildings in non-American countries so disabled American employees are not excluded from visiting.
Processing Requests for Auxiliary Aids and Services: ADA Coordinators are tasked with handling requests for auxiliary aids and services, such as sign language interpreters, live captioning, braille or large print materials, or assistive listening devices. They ensure that these aids are provided promptly and effectively to support individuals with disabilities.
Providing Information About Accessible Programs and Services: Part of the ADA Coordinator’s role is to serve as an information hub. They provide guidance and information about accessible programs and services within the organization and the public.
ADA Coordinators typically operate outside IT departments. Their work aligns more closely with facilities management, human resources, and compliance offices. This broader perspective allows them to address various accessibility issues beyond the digital realm.
Who Needs an ADA Coordinator?
State and local governments with 50 or more employees must have an ADA Coordinator. Smaller entities, including those with fewer than 50 employees and public sector groups that receive federal or state funding, such as universities and hospitals, are strongly encouraged to designate an ADA Coordinator, even though it isn't mandatory. This encouragement is rooted in the recognition that having a dedicated individual to oversee ADA compliance is invaluable in creating inclusive environments.
Accessibility Managers: Champions of Digital Accessibility
On the other side of the spectrum, we have Accessibility Managers. These professionals are largely focused on the technical aspects of accessibility, ensuring that software, websites, and digital products are accessible to customers and staff members with disabilities. The rise of digital transformation has amplified the need for this role, as organizations strive to make their online presence and digital services inclusive.
Key Responsibilities of Accessibility Managers
Evaluating and Improving Digital Accessibility: Accessibility Managers are responsible for assessing the accessibility of the organization’s digital products, including websites, mobile apps, and software. They identify barriers that may prevent individuals with disabilities from accessing these digital resources and work to remove them.
Developing and Implementing Accessibility Policies: These managers develop comprehensive digital accessibility policies that align with legal requirements and industry best practices. They ensure that these policies are integrated into the organization’s overall digital strategy.
Collaborating with Development Teams: Accessibility Managers work closely with software developers, designers, and product managers to incorporate accessibility features into digital products from the outset. This collaboration is crucial in creating user-friendly and accessible digital experiences.
Conducting Accessibility Training and Awareness Programs: To foster a culture of accessibility, Accessibility Managers often conduct training sessions and awareness programs. These initiatives educate employees about the importance of digital accessibility and provide practical guidance on how to implement it in their work.
Monitoring and Reporting on Accessibility Compliance: Continuous monitoring and reporting are essential to ensure ongoing compliance with accessibility standards. Accessibility Managers track the organization’s progress and report on the status of digital accessibility initiatives to senior management.
Who Needs an Accessibility Manager?
Given the ever-evolving nature of technology and the increasing reliance on digital platforms, the role of an Accessibility Manager is becoming indispensable. Any company that sells software to the public or has a digital presence, especially those selling products online or in stores, needs a contract or staff accessibility manager. This is especially true when companies are located in states with high rates of litigation or protective laws such as California, New York, Colorado, and Florida. Companies that sell internationally to countries like Canada and the EU may also need an Accessibility Manager. Finally, companies that are selling to customers that come under Section 508 probably want an Accessibility Manager. Not having accessibility paperwork can really limit sales in this area. Customers that come under Section 508 are any government agency, or anyone who receives money directly or indirectly from a government agency. That last group can include schools, hospitals, law enforcement, courts, and even non-profits like museums.
The Synergy of Both Roles
While ADA Coordinators and Accessibility Managers have distinct focuses, nothing prevents large organizations from having people in both roles. Having both an ADA Coordinator and an Accessibility Manager can create a more robust and comprehensive approach to accessibility. ADA Coordinators can ensure compliance across physical and programmatic aspects, while Accessibility Managers can ensure that digital products and services are accessible to all. Both can contribute to disability inclusion. There will be some areas where the two roles may overlap, in which case the Coordinator and Manager should work together to provide a comprehensive solution that is in line with both departments and the law.
Conclusion
Both ADA Coordinators and Accessibility Managers play crucial roles in fostering a disability inclusive environment. ADA Coordinators ensure compliance with physical and programmatic standards, while Accessibility Managers champion digital accessibility, ensuring that technology is inclusive and user-friendly. By working together, these professionals can create a holistic approach to accessibility, addressing both physical and digital barriers.
Organizations that invest in both roles are better equipped to meet the diverse needs of customers and staff with disabilities. This dual approach not only promotes compliance with legal standards but also enhances the overall experience for everyone and demonstrates a clear commitment to disability inclusion. Ultimately, the synergy between ADA Coordinators and Accessibility Managers drives progress towards a more inclusive and accessible world, where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.