Resume

This resume is current as of January 2026

Contact Information

Ethan Edwards

Normal, IL

Email: ethan@ethan-edwards.com

Connect With Me On LinkedIn

About Me

Accessibility tester and daily screen-reader user focused on practical, manual testing. I test with JAWS, NVDA, and VoiceOver, evaluate against WCAG criteria, review VPAT/ACR documents, and collaborate with teams to address issues. A digital world is better when everyone can participate. That is what drives my work every day.

Skills

  • Screen Readers: JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver
  • Testing Methods: Manual screen-reader testing, keyboard-only navigation testing, form labels and error messaging, headings/landmarks/ARIA review, focus order, alt text review, PDF readability
  • Standards & Procurement: WCAG (A and AA), VPAT/ACR reviews, procurement accessibility notes
  • Communication: Issue reproduction and documentation, plain-language user guidance, collaboration with vendors and development teams

Experience

Accessibility & Usability Graduate Assistant

Illinois State University, Web & Interactive Communications | August 2025 – Present

  • Review software accessibility during procurement using VPAT/ACR documents and manual reviews
  • Manually test campus products with JAWS, NVDA, and VoiceOver and document reproducible issues
  • Work with developers to confirm fixes and improve screen reader and keyboard workflows

Usability & Analytics Student Employee (Accessibility Tester)

Illinois State University | January 2024 – August 2025

  • Tested apps and websites throughout the procurement process and reviewed vendor VPAT’s
  • Helped shape the accessibility of internal university projects such as the ISU mobile app, and search experience
  • Wrote knowledge articles that covered how to use university provided applications with assistive technology

Accessibility Tester

Fable (Remote) | August 2023 – Present

  • Participates in meetings providing real time feedback on the screen reader accessibility of various digital consumer products

Accessibility Trusted Tester

Google (Remote) | October 2024 – Present

  • Participates in user studies to help shape the accessibility of Google products and services

Student Technology Specialist

Illinois State University, Endpoint Support | March 2022 – December 2023

  • Supported university staff via phone, web, email, and in person technical support
  • Provisioned Mac and Windows systems for deployment

Speaking & Community

  • Illinois School for the Visually Impaired, Opening Doors Conference: 2019–2025
  • Guide Dogs for the Blind — Guest Speaker: 2020–2021

Education

M.S., Creative Technologies

Illinois State University | August 2025 – May 2027 (in progress)

B.S., Journalism

Illinois State University | May 2025

Recognition