Master WCAG compliance, assistive technology auditing and inclusive digital product engineering so that public and private digital services are accessible to all.
Programme overview
This occupation is found in multiple industries, regardless of the specific industry sector accessibility will always be a consideration. The broad purpose of the occupation is to provide advice on accessibility best practice, helping organisations (externally and internally) to meet organisational, national and international accessibility standards and collaborate to ensure an inclusive user experience and compliance with relevant legislation.
Who is the Level 4 Digital Accessibility Specialist apprenticeship for?
You do not need “Accessibility Consultant” in your job title to take this programme. This Level 4 standard (ST0863) is designed to turn existing digital team members into your organisation’s in-house accessibility authority, as well as train new hires stepping into dedicated compliance or assistive technology roles.
Not sure if this is the right apprenticeship for your role? Use our role fit checker below to get an idea of how this apprenticeship could help you.
Level 4 · ST0863 · Digital accessibility specialist
The role today
Already thinks about contrast, layout and user journeys, and may run some user research.
Colour contrast and focus states
Wireframes and user research
What it grows into
Grows into running full audits with assistive technology, shaping policy and checking suppliers.
A guide, not an assessment. Our free initial assessment gives the real picture.
Frequently asked questions.
For employers
How is it funded?
Levy-paying employers use their apprenticeship levy funds. For non-levy employers the government pays most of the cost, and apprentices aged 16 to 21 at the start are usually fully funded. Use the funding calculator on this page, or ask us for an exact figure.
Who in our team is it suitable for?
Often someone who is already “doing accessibility” alongside another job: a content designer, developer, UX designer, tester, digital or communications lead, or someone in IT support. Try the role checker on this page to see how their current job maps onto the standard.
Does their job need to change?
Usually a little. During the apprenticeship the role needs to give them real opportunities to carry out the duties in the standard, such as testing with assistive technology, advising colleagues, running user testing and delivering training. We help you plan those opportunities at the start.
Can we enrol someone who already works for us?
Yes. Apprenticeships are a good way to grow an existing employee, as long as the programme teaches them substantial new skills. Our free initial assessment checks this.
How much time will they spend away from their day job?
Apprentices must spend part of their paid hours on off-the-job training. Much of it happens through real work, such as auditing your own products or training colleagues, plus their 1:1 sessions with their tutor. We agree a schedule that works around your business.
Will it help us with accessibility compliance?
It builds that capability in-house. Your apprentice learns to audit products against WCAG, understand the Equality Act 2010 and the Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations, and advise teams on fixing issues.
For apprentices
Do I need to be a developer?
No. You will learn the basics of HTML, CSS, JavaScript and ARIA so you can understand how accessibility works in code and talk confidently with developers. Curiosity and empathy for users matter more than coding experience.
What entry requirements are there?
Employers set their own entry requirements. If you don’t already have English and maths at the required level, we provide 1:1 Functional Skills support as part of your programme.
Will I learn to use assistive technology?
Yes. You will use and test with screen readers, magnifiers, speech recognition and literacy tools, and learn about input devices such as switches, eye tracking and voice control.
How long does it take?
Typically 18 to 24 months, including the end-point assessment. Your 1:1 plan takes account of what you already know.
How am I assessed?
At the end of your training you take an independent end-point assessment. Which version of the assessment applies depends on your start date, and we will explain exactly what yours involves before you begin.
Will I be paid, and does it cost me anything?
You are employed and paid throughout. Apprentices pay nothing towards their training or assessment.
What can I do afterwards?
Roles include digital accessibility specialist, accessibility tester, accessibility consultant and accessibility subject matter expert, as well as bringing accessibility expertise to your current profession.
Set your organisation profile below to see how government funding covers between 95% and 100% of apprenticeship training costs.
Estimated funding breakdown
100% government funded
Government / levy pays
£16,000
100% covered
Your employer cost
£0
0% co-investment
100% SME funding for ages 16–21
Non-levy employers pay £0 towards training costs for apprentices aged 16–21 at the start of their programme. Eligible 16–18 starters also attract a £1,000 employer incentive payment.
Need a levy transfer? We match SMEs with 100% levy transfer sponsors.
Estimates only. Funding rules are set by the Department for Education and can change.
What you will learn
Every apprenticeship follows a national occupational standard. These are the knowledge, skills and behaviours the apprentice will build and be assessed on.
The role in one sentence
Provide advice on accessibility best practice, helping organisations (externally and internally) to meet organisational, national and international accessibility standards.
Knowledge (25)What the apprentice will know
K1:
The characteristics and categories of disabilities (including temporary, situational and permanent disabilities) and how these affect individuals.
K2:
Commonly used accessibility guidelines (for example the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, EN301549 and Section508), methods to implement and achieve conformance and how these assist users with disabilities.
K3:
How accessibility is managed and integrated within an enterprise environment including policies, and reasonable adjustments.
K4:
How to utilise productivity suites ensuring output is accessible and advising on the implementation of accessibility features and content.
K5:
The implications and effect on users with disabilities, and UK businesses of international disability legislation (including Equality Act 2010, Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) No. 2 Accessibility Regulations 2018 and Accessible Canada Act C81 2018).
K6:
How to present using relevant technologies and aids in a manner that communicates the information (including a business case) to the chosen target audience, and understand the key facts and figures relating to accessibility.
K7:
The process to set-up, moderate and conduct activities relating to hosting workshops including moderation usability testing, user research testing and end-user testing.
K8:
The basics of Hyper Text Mark-up Language, Cascading Style Sheets, JavaScript and Accessibility Rich Internet Applications, and how these should be used to enhance the accessibility of services (for example alt text, dynamic content, colour contrast).
K9:
How mobile applications are developed using appropriate development applications and the basics of the languages used.
K10:
The fundamentals of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), including the purpose, application and utilisation of WCAG in a variety of situations (for example web, mobile, desktop applications).
K11:
The basic principles of project management (including project life cycle methodologies), and how accessibility considerations are integrated.
K12:
The accessibility considerations when designing and developing an application's user experience using related standards and guidelines including ISO9241 Ergonomics of human-system interaction, The Principles of Universal Design by the Centre for Universal Design and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines to create an inclusive design.
K13:
How to use assistive technologies (both digital and physical), their use-cases and functionality, degrees of complexity (hi-tech, low-tech and no-tech).
K14:
How assistive technologies interact with other digital technologies.
K15:
The principles and application of testing methodologies to accessibility criteria and assistive technologies, and the impact of accessibility findings (including test documentation).
K16:
How to construct a business report (for example document layout and contents).
K17:
The purpose and importance of reasonable adjustments, and how these are managed.
K18:
Best practices regarding digital security including General Data Protection Regulations 2018, how these are applied to an organisation and the factors which can result in these being effective and how these can be mitigated.
K19:
The security considerations relating to the installation and utilisation of assistive technologies, how these tools may be misidentified by common security practices and the methods to mitigate such security constraints.
K20:
How to communicate through different mediums, including tailoring communications to different user groups.
K21:
How to use incident management tools, triage incidents and appropriately communicate with assistive technology users.
K22:
How to audit digital applications (including web and mobile applications) against digital assistive technologies including screen readers, screen magnifiers, speech to text and literacy aids.
K23:
The preparation and processes required to conduct training with a variety of user groups for example project managers, web designers, developers, end users and line management.
K24:
How accessibility fits into the wider digital landscape, including current/future applicable regulatory requirements, and case law in the area of discriminating against employees with a disability.
K25:
How to use data ethically and the implications for wider society, with respect to the use of data, automation and artificial intelligence.
Skills (18)What the apprentice will be able to do
S1:
Present information, (for example business cases, testing findings, general information etc.) to a variety of audiences to ensure understanding.
S2:
Use hardware and software based assistive technologies for a variety of applications (for example testing, training etc.)
S3:
Use Interpersonal skills to develop and maintain effective and credible professional relationships both within and outside the team.
S4:
Conduct testing against a variety of platforms using appropriate standards and/or guidelines and assistive technologies.
S5:
Conduct workshops, surveys or focus groups, including the set-up, running and conclusion activities.
S6:
Both written and verbal communication skills when working as a team or individually.
S7:
Solve problems using a logical and analytical approach.
S8:
Identify appropriate assistive technologies and adaptive strategies for an individual's disability.
S9:
Practice disability etiquette, when communicating with individuals with disabilities.
S10:
Apply accessibility standards and regulations to practice.
S11:
Uses productivities suites and implementing accessibility best practices (for example reading level, colour contrast etc.) into produced documentation.
S12:
Create business reports, business cases and documentation appropriate for the target audience (for example developers, management etc.)
S13:
Identifies and rectify issues being experienced using appropriate troubleshooting methods relating to a user's assistive technology.
S14:
Apply security best practices.
S15:
Apply accessibility guidelines (for example WCAG, ISO9241 Ergonomics of human-system interaction) when designing and developing solutions on a variety of platforms (for example web, mobile etc.)
S16:
Collate and research information, or statistics (for example disability statistics, appropriate assistive technology for specific disabilities and correct terminology) required to present, in a manner which is appropriate to the target audience of any training (for example project managers, web designers, developers, end users and line management).
S17:
Keep up-to-date with developments in technologies, trends and innovation using a range of sources.
S18:
Lead a group of individuals using basic leadership skills as to achieve a common goal.
Behaviours (4)How the apprentice will work
B1:
Motivated, empathetic and driven in the field of accessibility and the wider digital sphere.
B2:
Proactively Inclusive.
B3:
Manages time effectively and adheres to timescales when producing work product.
B4:
Inquisitive, innovative and forward-thinking regarding digital technologies which could have beneficial implications for disabled individuals.
Duties (16)The tasks of the job, and the KSBs each one uses
Duty 1:
Collaborate with organisations (internally and externally) at all levels to provide guidance on accessibility best practice helping them to meet organisational, national and international accessibility standards and guidelines to ensure an inclusive user experience and compliance with relevant legislation. Uses K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, K20, K21, S1, S3, S6, S10, S11, S17, S18, B1, B2, B3, B4
Duty 2:
Raise awareness of accessibility within organisations (internally and externally) via multiple media channels (for example presentations, workshops and focus groups). Uses K4, K6, K7, K20, K21, S1, S3, S5, S6, S11, S17, S18, B1, B2, B3, B4
Duty 3:
Provide guidance to organisations (internally and externally) on how to meet organisational, national and international accessibility standards and guidelines to ensure an inclusive user experience and compliance with relevant legislation. Uses K1, K2, K5, K8, K9, K20, K21, S1, S3, S6, S10, S15, S17, S18, B1, B2, B3, B4
Duty 4:
Provide advice and assistance to a range of professionals, including but not limited to project managers, web designers, developers and product owners (internally and externally), to ensure interoperability between assistive technologies and mainstream technologies through the use of programming languages, frameworks and techniques to meet accessibility requirements across a wide range of operating platforms (for example web and native applications) for mobile and desktop to make content accessible for all users. Uses K2, K8, K9, K10, K11, K20, K21, S1, S2, S3, S6, S9, S10, S11, S12, S15, S17, S18, B1, B2, B3, B4
Duty 5:
Advise organisations (internally and externally) on how to create accessible documents (digital or non-digital), communications and materials. Uses K1, K2, K4, K20, K21, S2, S11, S17, S18, B1, B2, B3, B4
Duty 6:
Provide technical support for digital assistive technology (for example text to speech, speech to text, magnifiers, interface customisation options), internally and externally. Uses K1, K13, K14, K20, K21, K22, S2, S7, S13, S17, B1, B2, B3, B4
Duty 7:
Test mainstream digital applications against relevant accessibility standards producing any accompanying documentation (including test report and test plan). Uses K2, K10, K13, K15, K16, S2, S4, S7, S10, S11, S17, B1, B2, B3, B4
Duty 8:
Organise and facilitate end user testing, specifically with disabled user groups, against mainstream digital applications for accessibility or assistive technologies (software and hardware). Uses K1, K6, K7, K14, K15, K20, K21, S5, S8, S9, S17, B1, B2, B3, B4
Duty 9:
Produce personal and organisational documentation (for example presentations, reports, marketing material and templates) and communications that are accessible and useable, internally (for example stakeholders, project managers, developers). Uses K2, K4, K6, K20, S1, S10, S11, S17, B1, B2, B3, B4
Duty 10:
Procure and provide digital assistive technologies, content and services to meet accessibility requirements of individuals on behalf of both own employer and clients. Uses K1, K3, K14, K17, S2, S8, S9, S10, S17, B1, B2, B3, B4
Duty 11:
Advise organisations (internally and externally) on how to embed accessibility within selection and scoring processes when procuring products and services (for example hardware, software, communication materials and technical support services). Uses K1, K2, K3, K5, K13, K16, K20, K21, S8, S10, S17, S18, B1, B2, B3, B4
Duty 12:
Store, manage and share data securely in a compliant manner. Uses K18, K19, S14, S17, B1, B2, B3, B4
Duty 13:
Practice continuous self-learning to keep up to date with technological developments to enhance relevant skills and take responsibility for own professional development. Uses K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, K6, K7, K8, K9, K10, K11, K12, K13, K14, K15, K16, K17, K18, K19, K20, K21, K22, S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, S8, S9, S10, S11, S12, S13, S14, S15, S17, B1, B2, B3, B4
Duty 14:
Test and audit mainstream digital applications against digital assistive technologies for interoperability (for example text to speech, speech to text, magnifiers), producing any accompanying documentation (including test report and test plan). Uses K15, K23, K24, S2, S4, S17, B3
Duty 15:
Provide advice and assistance to a range of professionals, including but not limited to project managers, web designers, developers, end users and line management (internally and externally), advice relating to digital input device assistive technology (for example braille displays, assistive keyboards, assistive mice, sip & puff, switch, eye tracking, voice input). Uses K23, K24, S2, S4, S17, S18, B3
Duty 16:
Organise and deliver training on both digital accessibility standards and assistive technologies (both software and hardware-based), including but not limited to project managers, web designers, developers, end-users and line management (internally and externally). Uses K4, K6, K20, K21, K23, K25, S16, S17, B1, B3
