Backup Sighted Assistant - Temporary

Position Overview

Accessible Teaching, Learning, and Assessment Systems (ATLAS), a research center at the University of Kansas (KU), is seeking a Sighted Assistant. The Sighted Assistant will assist an employee who is blind in utilizing various software programs. This may include translating materials that are not already in an accessible format, verbally reading content, and assisting with navigating documents and software programs.

ATLAS promotes learning and improved outcomes for all students, with a focus on students with disabilities and struggling learners. ATLAS creates technology‑based learning and assessment systems that are accessible and academically rigorous. Dynamic research on skill development, assessment design, and teacher professional development informs the center’s map‑based learning systems.

With a diverse portfolio of grant‑funded research projects and operational alternate assessments, ATLAS is a leader in educational research and innovation. ATLAS drives progress through partnerships and collaborations with organizations that share its focus and commitment. ATLAS is committed to creating policies and practices that foster a culture in which all employees feel they belong and can succeed.

• 35% – Interacting with inaccessible platforms and files. Duties may include:
  • Interacting with documents placed in secure spaces such as SharePoint or a shared drive via a screen share. Enter commentary where directed.
  • Verbally reading the content of, navigating about, and entering information into Web portals that are not screen‑reader accessible (e.g., portals for surveys, training courses, doodle polls, electronic signatures).
  • Assisting the employee through screen share and control, navigating digital environments including documents, webpages, software, etc. This entails verbally describing context and responding according to the employee’s needs.
• 35% – Accessible document translation and creation. Duties may include:
  • Converting materials that cannot be found in an already accessible electronic format into a Microsoft Word document. Examples include PDFs, Power Points, Webpages, Word Documents with track changes, center‑wide manuals, academic journal articles, and materials related to on‑site external review events.
  • In meetings, tracking and creating real‑time accessible companion documents for meeting materials during team review sessions. This involves tracking and copying comments left on shared documents while providing context for later review.
  • Assisting with copy‑editing, creating work documents, and organizing feedback. The sighted assistant will verbally contextualize short passages and type employee‑articulated responses, making formatting changes and edits as directed.
  • Assisting with presentation creation, including creating companion Power Points to speaker notes, slide‑matching, and rehearsing presentation flow.
• 25% – General note taking. Assistant duties may include:
  • Keeping clear and detailed notes during 1‑1 and group meetings, engaging with visual materials displayed on‑screen and tracking real‑time discussion. Notes may include noting accessibility issues, major discussion points, and preparing companion materials and next steps.
  • Responding to scheduling and calendar needs.
• 5% – Special projects/other duties as assigned.

• Position may be hybrid or remote depending on the center’s and team’s needs.
• Travel to Lawrence and/or other locations as needed.
• Attendance at regularly scheduled meetings, onsite or via telecommunication platforms.
• Due to complex state employment laws, the University of Kansas may be unable to hire fully remote workers for this position outside of Kansas. Candidates residing in California, Delaware, Idaho, and Minnesota are ineligible. Eligible candidates are invited to apply.

• Successful completion of an undergraduate degree.
• One (1) year experience with Microsoft Office suite (Word and PowerPoint).
• One (1) year experience with video conference software (Zoom, Teams, etc.).
• Excellent written communication, as evidenced by application materials.
• Previous experience that required high attention to detail, as evidenced by application materials.

• A complete application consists of:
• The University of Kansas online application
• A cover letter describing how you meet the required and preferred qualifications
• A resume or CV
• Contact information for three professional references
• Incomplete applications will not be considered.
• Application review begins on Friday, January 2nd 2026 and will continue until a qualified pool of candidates is identified.

ATLAS HR – HR

Advertised Salary Range:
Minimum $14.42 per hour, commensurate with experience.

Anticipated

Start Date:

Monday, March 2, 2026.

Application Review Begins:
Friday, January 2, 2026.