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Associate Director of Accessibility

Norwalk, Connecticut

ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND 

 

The Maritime Aquarium’s mission is to ignite a connection to Long Island Sound and the ocean to enrich the lives of all people and inspire action to protect our blue planet. For 37 years, the Aquarium has played a significant role in shaping the landscape of Norwalk and the region. The second largest family attraction in Connecticut, and 50 miles from New York City, the Aquarium hosts nearly 450,000 guests annually. Its primary exhibits take guests on a voyage from the shallow salt marshes and estuaries to the depths of the Long Island Sound and the ocean beyond, culminating with habitats for sharks and harbor seals.  
  
Altogether, the Aquarium is home to more than 8,000 animals and 285 species in 75 exhibits. A new 4D Theater offers a unique sensory film experience for guests. Its education programs introduce nearly 50,000 students, campers and scouts to marine and STEM education. The Aquarium is recognized as a top aquarium in the nation and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. It is an active participant in the local and regional community. The strength of the Aquarium is its 85 full-time staff, and part-time and seasonal staff, in addition to our volunteers.  

 

Position Overview  

The Associate Director of Accessibility creates, implements and oversees the Aquarium’s essential efforts to be accessible to audiences, individuals, and groups who have physical, cognitive and/or developmental disabilities.  The Associate Director works to ensure that the Aquarium’s building, exhibits, guest services, educational programs, and interpretive activities are welcoming, inspiring and suited for all. This position is also responsible for reaching out to other organizations and institutions to create new alliances with the Aquarium that benefit audiences living with disabilities.  The Associate Director is a member of the Aquarium’s extended senior staff and serves as a resource for all departments, providing in-house expertise and training, and working collaboratively to realize the goals of the strategic plan, An Aquarium Without Walls. 

 

Major Responsibilities:  

Collaboration and Training 

  • Provide guidance and leadership to Aquarium staff to deepen understanding of disability inclusion and best practices for serving guests and colleagues with disabilities. 
  • Partner with departments to develop accessibility priorities that support the Aquarium’s Strategic Plan. 
  • Train staff in guest-facing, guest-serving, and other relevant roles to make them more knowledgeable, sensitive, and confident in serving guests with disabilities. 
  • Collaborate with People and Culture to ensure that staff and volunteers with disabilities receive appropriate accommodations and accessibility support throughout their employment or volunteer experience. 
  • Be an effective peer and partner, working with leadership of other departments to ensure seamless cooperation and synergy. 
  • Serve as an outstanding representative of the Aquarium, building and maintaining mutually beneficial relationships with disability-serving organizations, advocates, and community stakeholders. 

Community Engagement and Partnership/Accessibility for All Program 

  • Serve as an outstanding representative of the Aquarium, engaging with and forming mutually beneficial partnerships with diverse community members, groups and stakeholders. 
  • Lead the Accessibility for All program, a collaboration of 11 visitor-serving institutions in Fairfield County dedicated to building a culture of accessibility. Work with partner institutions and service providers to establish and implement priorities and programs. 
  • Grow the network of participating institutions within and beyond Fairfield County. 
  • Maintain the Accessibility for All website and shared calendar. 

Exhibit Design, Construction, DEAI and Safety 

  • Participates in the planning and design of new exhibits and spaces ensuring universal design principles are incorporated. 
  • Serve on internal committees to ensure safe, inclusive environments for guests, staff, and volunteers with disabilities. 

Education and Interpretive Programs 

  • Collaborate with education staff to design and adapt programs that meet the needs of diverse learners and participants with disabilities.  Provide accessibility training to educators, curriculum developers, and counselors.  Review lesson plans as needed. 
  • Work with interpretive staff to craft and adapt interpretive carts, narrations, animal encounters and other activities to ensure inclusive participation. 

Transition Program 

  • Lead the Aquarium’s collaboration with local school systems in providing workplace training to young adults eligible for post-graduate services. 
  • Mentor participants during their on-site work experience. 
  • Train Aquarium staff and volunteers to better prepare them to effectively support and mentor program participants. 
  • Work collaboratively with department leaders to identify work opportunities that can be fulfilled through the transition program. 

 

Job Qualifications: 

  • Advanced degree in special education, accessibility studies, disability studies, human service or a related/relevant field. 
  • Demonstrated ability to collaborate across teams and build strong partnerships. 
  • Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to engage diverse communities. 
  • 5+ years experience developing accessibility-related programs, resources or services for diverse audiences.  
  • 2+ years experience training others in accessibility practices, disability inclusion or universal design. 
  • Proven success advancing initiatives that support equitable outcomes for people with disabilities. 
  • Experience training others on accessibility-related approaches and issues. 
  • Experience with data-informed decision making, assessment, and grant-funded initiatives.  
  • Experience in a non-profit, museum, zoo or aquarium environment a plus. 

The Maritime Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply.

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