Disability Specialist (Part-time) – Institute for Empowerment and Advocacy (IDEA)

Disability Specialist (Part-time) – Institute for Empowerment and Advocacy (IDEA)

Salary: $32.97 per hour

Location:

IDEA Position Status:
Part-time, Grant Funded

Hours:

Varied Position Number: 870571/60-039 FLSA Status:
Non-exempt

The Disability Specialist serves as a key advisor to the leadership of the Institute for Disability Empowerment and Advocacy (IDEA), ensuring that the Institute's programs, operations, and culture authentically reflect the lived experiences and priorities of individuals with disabilities. This position provides insight, feedback, and recommendations on accessibility, inclusion, and engagement across all Institute initiatives and pillars. Designed to be filled by individuals with disabilities, the role embodies IDEA's values of access, opportunity, and authentic representation.

The Disability Specialist helps the Institute translate its mission into practice by guiding leadership, modeling inclusion, and strengthening the visibility and impact of the disability community across campus and beyond.

Advisory and Consultation to Leadership:
Provides insight and recommendations to the Executive Director, Chief Administrative Officer, and Program Directors on accessibility, inclusion, and authentic representation. Advises on policies, communications, events, and programs to ensure IDEA's initiatives reflect the lived experiences and needs of individuals with disabilities.

Program and Accessibility Review:
Evaluates IDEA programs, materials, facilities, and events for accessibility and inclusivity. Identifies barriers, proposes solutions, and collaborates with staff and partners to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and best practices in universal design.

Community Engagement and Representation:
Serves as a visible representative of the disability community, fostering trust and collaboration between IDEA and individuals with disabilities across campus and in the broader community. Participates in outreach events, focus groups, and community listening sessions.

Training and Awareness Support:
Contributes to educational initiatives such as workshops, presentations, or dialogue sessions on topics related to accessibility, disability inclusion, and universal design. Supports IDEA's efforts to build understanding and capacity across the University and partner organizations.

Performs additional tasks or special projects to support the mission and operations of the Institute.

Completes other duties as assigned.

Minimum qualifications: High School Diploma or equivalent. Experience navigating, advocating, or working within disability communities is required. This may include personal or professional experience addressing accessibility needs, supporting peers, engaging in advocacy, or collaborating with organizations that promote disability inclusion. Formal employment history is not essential—what matters most is a demonstrated understanding of the lived experience of disability, the barriers faced by individuals with disabilities, and the creativity and resilience involved in overcoming them.

Preferred qualifications: Experience contributing to advisory groups, advocacy initiatives, or community organizations focused on disability rights, accessibility, or inclusive programming is preferred. Familiarity with accessibility standards such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and universal design principles is helpful but can be learned on the job. The Institute values the unique insight that comes from lived experience and welcomes individuals who are passionate about advancing access, opportunity, and authentic representation for people with disabilities.

Alternatively, the successful candidate may possess any equivalent combination of experience and training, which provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the essential job functions. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Lived Experience and Perspective:
  Deep understanding of disability from personal experience, including awareness of accessibility challenges, support systems, and strategies for creating…