Volunteer 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.

About the role

The Mentor a Promise Volunteer Accommodation Specialist will familiarize themselves with the ADA, section 504, the Fair Housing Act, IEPs, work accommodations, and overall disability rights. They will manage the cases of volunteers with Mentor A Promise who seek accommodations and will meet with volunteers to discuss the accommodations needed for success at MAP while promoting the mission and vision of Mentor a Promise.

Responsibilities

• Provide insight and guidance on accommodations covered not only by the ADA, but ethical accommodations as well (ADA is a baseline, not the ceiling)
• Provide knowledge on IEPs, 504s, and workplace accommodations
• Assist volunteers in learning about how they can assist their children in gaining accommodations in and out of the classroom
• Inform volunteers about the ADA’s interactions with accommodations they are entitled to
• Write letters of accommodations for volunteers who seek them
• Act as an accessibility resource for Mentor A Promise volunteers who seek assistance, especially regarding accommodations for work
• When permitted, liaise between volunteers and leadership to ensure letters of accommodation are being honored and upheld
• Uphold Universal Design Principles and standards to best of ability

Qualifications

• Strong commitment to accessibility and disability justice
• Willingness to learn about accessibility/disability-related policy
• Ability to synthesize accessibility law in an approachable manner
• Reliability, creativity, and comfort working in a collaborative nonprofit environment
• Case management skills and experience
• Experience writing letters of accommodation
• 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 workplace accommodations
• Familiarity with Universal Design
• Previous work in a non-profit and/or social work setting
• Trauma-Informed Care Skills
• Experience working with a variety of different teams (e.g., legal teams, writing teams, training teams)

Schedule

• Volunteer role
• Approximately 5–10 hours per week
• Meeting once a week with Disability Justice and Accessibility Team
• Minimum 6-month commitment preferred
• Fully remote with optional NYC-based collaboration

Benefits

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

Volunteer opportunities are limited to individuals based in the United States due to legal, safeguarding, data-privacy, and programmatic requirements.