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

POSITION SUMMARY:

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.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

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.

REQUIREMENTS:

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 inclusive environments. 

Advocacy and Representation: Ability to speak authentically about disability issues and advocate for equitable access, opportunity, and respect in program design, policy development, and community engagement. 

Collaboration and Relationship Building: Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust and collaborate effectively with leadership, staff, students, and community partners. 

Communication Skills: Clear, compassionate communication style with the ability to share lived experiences constructively and offer feedback that supports learning and growth across the organization. 

Problem Solving and Creativity: Capacity to identify barriers and propose practical, inclusive solutions that improve accessibility and participation for people with disabilities.

Adaptability and Flexibility: Comfort working in evolving environments and openness to learning new approaches, technologies, and accessibility tools. 

Awareness of Accessibility and Inclusion Practices: General knowledge of—or willingness to learn— principles of universal design, disability rights, and accessibility standards such 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 and Confidentiality: Ability to handle sensitive topics and personal stories with discretion, respect, and professionalism.

Commitment to IDEA’s Mission: Genuine passion for advancing access, empowerment, and authentic representation for people with disabilities in higher education and the broader community.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the University Community.

Ability and willingness to contribute actively to the mission of the University and to respect the Spiritan Catholic identity of Duquesne University.  The mission is implemented through a commitment to academic excellence, a spirit of service, moral and spiritual values, sensitivity to world concerns, and an ecumenical campus community.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Applicants are asked to submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references.

Duquesne University was founded in 1878 by its sponsoring religious community, the Congregation of the Holy Spirit.  Duquesne University is Catholic in mission and ecumenical in spirit.  Motivated by its Catholic identity, Duquesne values equality of opportunity both as an educational institution and as an employer.