Access Programs Facilitator
OVERVIEW: Access Programs Facilitators are volunteer experts who support Cooper Hewitt's commitment to accessibility and inclusive design education. This volunteer opportunity centers engaging diverse audiences-specifically visitors with disabilities-through the facilitation and support of exhibition-centered public programs and private tours. Access Programs Facilitators are an important extension of Cooper Hewitt's mission to educate, inspire, and empower people through design.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Lead public programs and private tours with disabled public-audience groups, community organizations, and schools, onsite, offsite, and virtually.
- Support the facilitation of program activities and Cooper Hewitt's inclusive customer service strategies.
- Provide select access accommodations, such as sighted guide, visual description, and sensory inclusive adjustments to large, crowded programs. (Specific training will be provided.)
- Collaborate with program staff and other Access Programs Facilitators to develop inclusive lesson plans with accessible interpretive strategies.
- Participate in quarterly training and workshop sessions on exhibition-based content, best practices for working with people with disabilities, and inclusive facilitation practices.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience working with diverse audience groups and/or teaching a lesson plan
- Experience or interest in museum education, access programming, and museum audiences, specifically visitors with disabilities
- Interest in design products, design processes, accessible design, and the intersections between disability and design
- Those with professional or personal experience with disability are strongly encouraged to apply
SCHEDULING AND TRAINING REQUIREMENTS:
- Complete initial background check and virtual SI volunteer training sessions
- Support 2 programs per month, including 4 weekend program dates annually.
- Attend quarterly 2-hour training and workshop sessions.
- Attend program planning meetings and trainings as needed.
Important Note: Quarterly training will be held from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month (March, June, September, and December) onsite at the museum, with the opportunity to join virtually.
Regularly scheduled programs occur on the:
- First Tuesday of each month from 4:00-5:30 p.m. onsite at the museum.
- Second Saturday of each month from 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. onsite at the museum.
Regularly scheduled tours occur
- Offsite once or twice per month on a Wednesday or Thursday from 1:00-2:00 p.m.
- Ad-hoc public programs and private tours occur throughout the year for various audience groups. Learn more about our programs here.
BENEFITS:
- Admission to Cooper Hewitt Programming such as lectures and workshops (admission based on program availability)
- Regular professional development opportunities to increase accessibility in the museum's galleries
- A 30% discount in The Shop and at Tarallucci E Vino Caf
- Free or discounted admission to dozens of NYC museums
- Access to opportunities organized by the Cooper Hewitt such as offsite "field trips" to other museums and exhibitions as well as onsite professional development training
- Opportunity to work closely with design objects and design thinking processes
- Opportunity to connect with and educate diverse audiences through object-based learning, inquiry, and storytelling
APPLICATION:
In a single document, submit your resume and one-page cover letter the includes the following:
- Describe your interest in becoming an Access Programs Facilitator volunteer at Cooper Hewitt and what you hope to gain from this experience.
- Indicate your interests, skills, and experience with public programming, museum education, and working with disabled communities.
- Explain your understanding of the difference between Art and Design.
