Accessibility Specialist (A11Y) – Design Systems

We are seeking a Senior Accessibility Specialist to establish and advance accessibility practices for our Enterprise Design System   team. This role is responsible for defining accessibility standards, embedding inclusive practices into system components and patterns, and enabling product teams to deliver accessible digital experiences at scale. As a top 20 U.S. bank, accessibility is both a regulatory responsibility and a critical part of delivering clear, usable, and trustworthy experiences.   Our   Design System is central to this effort, and this role will partner closely with design, engineering, and Enterprise Accessibility to ensure accessibility is built into the foundation of our digital platforms.  Accessibility Strategy & Ownership   Serve as the primary accessibility owner for   M&T’s Enterprise   Design System.   Define and evolve accessibility standards and best practices as they apply to system components, patterns, and documentation.   Partner with Enterprise Accessibility to align   our   implementation with enterprise and   c ross - platform   accessibility strategy.   Advocate for accessibility as a foundational   system   capability rather than a downstream compliance activity.   Design System Integration   Embed accessibility considerations into the design and development lifecycle of   UI   components   and patterns .   Provide   early accessibility guidance and feedback on   n et - new   components and patterns during design exploration (e.g., Figma).   Define   s ystem - level   expectations for keyboard navigation, focus management, screen reader behavior, motion, and responsive behavior.     Ensure accessibility is addressed consistently across shared and   p latform - specific   implementations.   Engineering Enablement & Quality   Conduct accessibility reviews and audits   of design system assets, independently or in partnership with external vendors .   Define and document accessibility best practices for   design   system consumers, including areas that must be handled at the application level.     Partner with engineering   and   E nterprise   A ccessibility   to   refine   accessibility testing approaches, including keyboard navigation and interaction patterns   as part of the definition of done.   Identify   accessibility risks and gaps and work with partners to drive sustainable solutions.   Accessible Content & Inclusive Language   Establish standards for accessible   system - level   content, emphasizing clear,   p lain - language   writing that supports comprehension for diverse audiences.   Define best practices for semantic structure (e.g., headings, hierarchy) to support screen readers and   scannability .   Provide principles and examples to help teams create   appropriate accessible   alternatives (such as text equivalents for visual content and media) while allowing flexibility across use cases and platforms.   Promote inclusive and culturally sensitive language practices, avoiding   v isual - dependent , directional, or ambiguous instructions.   Ensure   design system   documentation   models   accessible content practices for adopting teams.   Cross - Functional   Collaboration   Collaborate with   content,   design, engineering, product, and accessibility partners to support adoption of accessible system patterns.   Act as an accessibility advocate and   s ubject - matter   expert within the design system team.   Enable teams through documentation, guidance, and consultation .     Foster deep partnership with Content Strategy/Design.

Required: Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 3 years’ related experience, or in lieu of a degree, a combined minimum of 7 years’ higher education and/or work experience, including a minimum of 3 years’ related experience Demonstrated experience applying   WCAG - aligned accessibility principles to digital products or