Level 4 Digital Accessibility Specialist

Overview

This L4 apprenticeship will equip emerging professionals in the tech industry to understand the accessibility challenges they are likely to encounter in the digital world, and begin to embed strategies within the workplace to ensure the accessibility challenges are considered before personnel begin the role and very personalised adjustments only may need to be considered. These adaptations may be related to environment, CPD of others, flexibility as just a few examples. This apprenticeship will be designed to complement the digital skills being developed and practiced in the workplace by offering the dimension of the sociology of technology, pedagogy, theories of inclusion, and awareness of sociological impacts.

Content will be delivered jointly by Social Scientists and Special Education Needs and Disability specialists. Apprentices will support their employers by addressing accessibility issues on a case-by-case basis, and upon completion of the apprenticeship may continue on a number of pathways, among them: further apprenticeships in digital technology, further study in the field of digital societies (a new UG course which we plan to develop in tandem with this apprenticeship), or continue employed in roles such as service desk management and client support.

Despite the apprenticeship being listed as 24 months on the Institute of Apprenticeship’s Standard, within UEL’s delivery modes we believe it can be effectively delivered in 18 months, especially as delivery will be face to face offering a close level of engagement. We are mapping this against two years of part-time delivery of a L4 course, which would typically be 24 months with an extended summer break or 18 months with tuition over the summer months.

Delivery

Two 20-credit modules for this apprenticeship will be delivered on the standard academic calendar (1 modules in T1 and 1 module in T2). These are L4 Mental Wealth and Introduction to Digital Society.

The other 80 credits will be delivered as follows:

New 20-credit module to run part-time across T1 and T2 entitled: The Inclusive Workplace
New 20-credit module in T3 entitled: Digital Accessibility Guidelines, Standards and Best Practices
New 20-credit module in T3 entitled: Mainstreaming technology

New 20-credit module in T1 of second year entitled: Final Project and EPA Preparation

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements for Digital Accessibility Specialist Apprenticeship

UCAS: Passes at A2 in at least 2 subjects OR BTEC Diploma OR International Baccalaureate Diploma with 25 points (including minimum 15 at Higher Level)
English Language: Level 3 English or equivalence
Other Accepted Qualifications: British Sign Language (BSL) qualification as an alternative to English Language
Mature Learners: Applicable professional experience

End-Point Assessment (EPA)

EPAO will be selected later in consultation with the employer. All End Point Assessments will be carried out by the EPAO.

Progression

Most apprentices will complete this course and continue on as specialists in social and disability accessibility needs and solutions within tech roles, in fields including software and hardware development, sales, and customer service. They may work in sectors including Commerce, Education, Financial services, Professional services, Health services, Media, Public services, Information Technology (IT) Services, Energy, or Charities.

This apprenticeship can also serve as a pathway into the BSc (Hons) Digital Societies course or the level 3 Social Sciences foundation course.

Get involved with us

We are flexible and responsive in our approach to delivering degree apprenticeships. We discuss the most suited delivery strategy with you to ensure it meets your business requirements, as well as the requirements of your apprentices.

Our usual offer is an intensive, day-release block mode scheme. However, we would also consider concentrated teaching blocks over multiple days subject to numbers, and in cases where geographical limitations make this necessary. If you are an employer with a distinct cohort, we offer to customise the delivery mode to suit your individual needs. We are interested to hear from employers and providers who would like to join one of our Trailblazer groups, which initially design and develop apprenticeships.

Please get in touch if you:

would like to become an employer partner of UEL and let us help you find the right apprentices for you;
are interested in any of the apprenticeship degree courses we are currently running or the new ones we are developing;
would like to explore creating new apprenticeships and join a Trailblazer group with us.