Director of Accessibility, Sign Language & Inclusive Communications (Volunteer)

Director of Accessibility, Sign Language & Inclusive Communications (Volunteer)

PromisePublic, PromiseLearning & PromiseStudios | Accessibility, Inclusive Communication & Universal Design

Organization: Mentor A Promise (MAP)

Division: PromisePublic, PromiseLearning & PromiseStudios

Location: Remote with NYC-based collaboration as needed

Commitment: Approximately 5–10 hours per week

Type: Volunteer Leadership Role

Minimum Commitment: 6-month commitment required

Reports To: Chief of Education, Curriculum & Learning and Chief of Content & Storytelling

About Mentor A Promise

Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a NYC-based nonprofit organization serving children and youth ages 5–18 experiencing housing instability through mentorship, literacy, social-emotional learning, educational enrichment, creative expression, workforce development, housing innovation, and community-centered support.

At MAP, we believe access is fundamental to opportunity.

Every child deserves the ability to learn, participate, communicate, create, and belong regardless of ability, communication style, language needs, or accessibility requirements.

We are committed to building programs, educational resources, media, and experiences that are inclusive by design rather than adapted afterward.

Role Overview

The Director of Accessibility, Sign Language & Inclusive Communications serves as MAP's organizational leader for accessibility, inclusive communication, and Deaf and hard-of-hearing engagement.

This role helps ensure that MAP's books, curriculum, podcasts, videos, documentaries, educational programming, websites, events, workshops, and public-facing communications are designed with accessibility, inclusion, and universal access in mind.

The Director works across multiple divisions to build systems, standards, partnerships, and practices that make MAP's programs and content more accessible to children, families, volunteers, and community members.

This role is ideal for a leader who believes that accessibility is not simply compliance—it is a pathway to belonging, dignity, and opportunity.

Key Responsibilities

Accessibility Strategy & Organizational Leadership

• Lead MAP's accessibility and inclusive communications strategy
• Develop accessibility standards and organizational best practices
• Promote universal design principles across programs and content
• Advise leadership on accessibility initiatives and priorities
• Support continuous improvement of accessibility efforts throughout the organization

Children's Books, Curriculum & Educational Resources

• Review children's books, educational materials, and curriculum for accessibility opportunities
• Advise writers, illustrators, educators, and content creators on inclusive design
• Support development of accessible educational resources
• Explore opportunities for sign language integration and visual communication enhancements
• Promote inclusive literacy and learning experiences

Podcast, Film, Video & Digital Media Accessibility

• Support accessibility across podcasts, documentaries, videos, webinars, and digital content
• Develop standards for captions, transcripts, and accessible media production
• Advise production teams on inclusive communication practices
• Help ensure MAP media can be accessed by broader audiences
• Support accessibility planning for PromiseStudios productions

Sign Language & Deaf Inclusion

• Serve as a subject matter expert on sign language accessibility and Deaf inclusion
• Advise on opportunities to integrate sign language into educational and media initiatives
• Support development of ASL-friendly resources and programming
• Promote awareness of Deaf culture and inclusive communication practices
• Help strengthen engagement with Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities

Website, Digital Content & Communications Accessibility

• Review websites, digital resources, and public-facing communications
• Identify opportunities to improve accessibility and user experience
• Support accessible content standards for marketing and communications
• Collaborate with PromiseVoice, PromiseBrands, and PromiseStack on accessibility initiatives
• Promote inclusive communication across organizational platforms

Accessibility Review & Quality Assurance

• Develop accessibility review processes for key organizational content
• Support accessibility audits and assessments
• Recommend improvements for content, resources, and experiences
• Track accessibility initiatives and organizational progress
• Help establish accessibility benchmarks and standards

Training & Organizational Education

• Provide accessibility education and awareness opportunities for volunteers and leaders
• Share best practices in inclusive communication and accessibility
• Develop guidance materials and resources
• Support organizational learning around accessibility, disability inclusion, and universal design

Community Partnerships & Disability Inclusion

• Build relationships with Deaf-serving organizations, accessibility professionals, educators, and advocacy groups
• Identify opportunities for collaboration and community engagement
• Support MAP's Disability Justice & Accessibility initiatives
• Help strengthen accessibility partnerships throughout New York City and beyond

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with American Sign Language (ASL) or other sign language systems
• Experience in accessibility, disability inclusion, education, communications, interpretation, or related fields
• Knowledge of inclusive communication practices and universal design principles
• Experience working with Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities preferred
• Strong communication, collaboration, and leadership skills
• Passion for accessibility, educational equity, and inclusive community-building

Why This Role Matters

Accessibility is about more than compliance.

It is about participation.

It is about dignity.

It is about ensuring that every child has the opportunity to learn, connect, create, and be heard.

The Director of Accessibility, Sign Language & Inclusive Communications helps ensure that MAP's programs, stories, educational resources, and media can reach and serve as many children and families as possible.

This role helps build a culture where inclusion is intentional and belonging is accessible to everyone.

Volunteer Expectations

• Approximately 5–10 hours per week
• Minimum 6-month commitment
• Maintain timely and professional communication
• Collaborate through MAP systems and communication platforms
• Support MAP's safeguarding, accessibility, and inclusion commitments
• Participate in planning, content review, and project meetings as needed

What You'll Gain

• Opportunity to build and shape accessibility initiatives across a growing nonprofit organization
• Collaboration with education, publishing, media, technology, and program leadership teams
• Experience leading accessibility strategy and inclusive communication efforts
• Professional references and letters of recommendation
• Meaningful impact supporting children and families experiencing housing instability

How to Apply

Interested candidates should apply directly through Idealist and include their resume and cover letter.

Please highlight any experience involving accessibility, American Sign Language (ASL), Deaf education, interpretation, inclusive communications, disability inclusion, educational content, media accessibility, or universal design.

Help us create a future where every child can access learning, storytelling, creativity, and opportunity.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with our organization. At this time, volunteer opportunities are limited to individuals based in the United States due to legal, safeguarding, data-privacy, and programmatic requirements. We appreciate your interest in our mission and your understanding of these constraints.