IEP and Accommodation Specialist (Volunteer)

Mentor A Promise is a New York City–based nonprofit serving children and youth (ages 5–18) experiencing housing instability, grounded in the belief that every child is a Promise—full of potential, dignity, and possibility. We deliver consistent, high-quality programming across mentorship, literacy, social-emotional learning, and creative expression in shelters, schools, and community spaces, creating structured environments where students can grow, be seen, and build lasting skills. Through signature experiences like The Imagination Studio, The Kitchen Table, The Sound Lab, and The Story Space, we nurture academic development, emotional well-being, and creative voice, all within a trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and accessibility-centered framework. Our work prioritizes dignity-protective storytelling, consent-driven engagement, and deep community partnership, ensuring that how we serve is as intentional as whom we serve.

About the role

This is a volunteer position with the Disability Justice Team, requiring approximately 5–10 hours per week and a minimum 6-month commitment. The role is fully remote with optional NYC-based collaboration and includes a weekly meeting with the Disability Justice and Accessibility Team.

Responsibilities

• Provide insight and guidance on accommodations covered by the ADA and ethical accommodations (ADA is a baseline, not the ceiling).
• Share knowledge on IEPs, 504s, and other accommodations.
• Assist families in learning how they can help their children gain accommodations in and out of the classroom.
• Inform families about the ADA’s interactions with accommodations they are entitled to.
• Provide resources to assist children in the classroom before accommodations are available or while the school is making a decision.
• Act as an accessibility resource for Mentor A Promise volunteers, especially regarding accommodations in educational environments.
• Uphold Universal Design Principles and standards to the best of your ability.

Qualifications

• Strong commitment to accessibility and disability justice.
• Willingness to learn about accessibility/disability-related policy.
• Ability to synthesize accessibility law in educational settings in an approachable manner.
• Reliability, creativity, and comfort working in a collaborative nonprofit environment.
• Alignment with MAP’s mission and commitment to dignity-centered work.

Preferred Skills

• Experience advocating for disabled individuals, or lived experience as a disabled person.
• Familiarity with ADA, section 504, IEPs, and accommodations.
• Familiarity with Universal Design.
• Previous work in a school setting.
• Experience liaising with families.
• Trauma-Informed Care skills.
• Experience working with a variety of teams (e.g., legal, writing, training).

What You’ll Gain

• A meaningful role in disability justice with real-world social impact.
• Opportunities to see programming in Mentor A Promise and beyond become more accessible.
• Collaboration with advocates in disability justice.
• Professional references and letters of recommendation.
• The chance to help children feel seen, safe, and comfortable through accommodations.