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Disability Specialist (Part-time) - Institute for Empowerment and Advocacy (IDEA)
Salary: $32.97 per hour
Location: IDEA
Position Status: Part-time, GrantFunded
Hours: Varied
Position Number: 870571/60-039
FLSA Status: Non-exempt
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Disability Specialist serves as a keyadvisor to the leadership of the Institute for Disability Empowerment andAdvocacy (IDEA), ensuring that the Institute's programs, operations, andculture authentically reflect the lived experiences and priorities ofindividuals with disabilities. This position provides insight, feedback, andrecommendations on accessibility, inclusion, and engagement across allInstitute initiatives and pillars. Designed to be filled by individuals withdisabilities, the role embodies IDEA's values of access, opportunity, andauthentic representation. The Disability Specialist helps the Institutetranslate its mission into practice by guiding leadership, modeling inclusion,and strengthening the visibility and impact of the disability community acrosscampus and beyond.
DUTIES ANDRESPONSIBILITIES:
Advisory and Consultation to Leadership:Provides insight and recommendations to the Executive Director, ChiefAdministrative Officer, and Program Directors on accessibility, inclusion, andauthentic representation. Advises on policies, communications, events, andprograms to ensure IDEA's initiatives reflect the lived experiences and needsof individuals with disabilities.
Program and AccessibilityReview: Evaluates IDEA programs, materials, facilities, and events foraccessibility and inclusivity. Identifies barriers, proposes solutions, andcollaborates with staff and partners to ensure compliance with the Americanswith Disabilities Act (ADA) and best practices in universal design.
Community Engagement andRepresentation: Serves as a visible representative of the disability community,fostering trust and collaboration between IDEA and individuals withdisabilities across campus and in the broader community. Participates inoutreach events, focus groups, and community listening sessions.
Training and Awareness Support:Contributes to educational initiatives such as workshops, presentations, ordialogue sessions on topics related to accessibility, disability inclusion, anduniversal design. Supports IDEA's efforts to build understanding and capacityacross the University and partner organizations.
Performs additional tasks orspecial projects to support the mission and operations of the Institute.
Completes otherduties as assigned.
REQUIREMENTS:
Minimum qualifications:
High School Diploma or equivalent.
Experience navigating, advocating,or working within disability communities is required. This may include personalor professional experience addressing accessibility needs, supporting peers,engaging in advocacy, or collaborating with organizations that promotedisability inclusion. Formal employment history is not essential- what mattersmost is a demonstrated understanding of the lived experience of disability, thebarriers faced by individuals with disabilities, and the creativity andresilience involved in overcoming them.
Preferred qualifications:
Experience contributing to advisorygroups, advocacy initiatives, or community organizations focused on disabilityrights, accessibility, or inclusive programming is preferred. Familiarity withaccessibility standards such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) anduniversal design principles is helpful but can be learned on the job. TheInstitute values the unique insight that comes from lived experience andwelcomes individuals who are passionate about advancing access, opportunity,and authentic representation for people with disabilities.
Alternatively, the successful candidate may possess any equivalent combinationof experience and training, which provides the knowledge, skills and abilitiesrequired to perform the essential job functions. This includes, but is notlimited to, the following:
Lived Experience and Perspective: Deepunderstanding of disability from personal experience, including awareness ofaccessibility challenges, support systems, and strategies for creatinginclusive environments.
Advocacy and Representation:Ability to speak authentically about disability issues and advocate forequitable access, opportunity, and respect in program design, policydevelopment, and community engagement.
Collaboration andRelationship Building: Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to buildtrust and collaborate effectively with leadership, staff, students, andcommunity partners.
Communication Skills: Clear,compassionate communication style with the ability to share lived experiencesconstructively and offer feedback that supports learning and growth across theorganization.
Problem Solving andCreativity: Capacity to identify barriers and propose practical, inclusivesolutions that improve accessibility and participation for people withdisabilities.
Adaptability andFlexibility: Comfort working in evolving environments and openness to learningnew approaches, technologies, and accessibility tools.
Awareness of Accessibilityand Inclusion Practices: General knowledge of-or willingness to learn-principles of universal design, disability rights, and accessibility standardssuch as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Teamwork and Cooperation:Willingness to engage as part of a collaborative, mission-driven team,contributing both perspective and ideas to strengthen the Institute's work.
Integrity andConfidentiality: Ability to handle sensitive topics and personal stories withdiscretion, respect, and professionalism.
Commitment to IDEA'sMission: Genuine passion for advancing access, empowerment, and authenticrepresentation for people with disabilities in higher education and the broadercommunity.
Ability toestablish and maintain effective working relationships with the UniversityCommunity.
Ability and willingness to contribute actively to the mission of the Universityand to respect the Spiritan Catholic identity of Duquesne University. Themission is implemented through a commitment to academic excellence, a spirit ofservice, moral and spiritual values, sensitivity to world concerns, and anecumenical campus community.
APPLICATIONINSTRUCTIONS:
Applicants are asked to submit a cover letter, resume, and contact informationfor three professional references.
DuquesneUniversity was founded in 1878 by its sponsoring religious community, theCongregation of the Holy Spirit. Duquesne University is Catholic inmission and ecumenical in spirit. Motivated by its Catholic identity,Duquesne values equality of opportunity both as an educational institution andas an employer.