Overview of Instructional Accessibility Specialist

Reporting to the Director of the Center for Faculty Excellence (CFE), the Instructional Accessibility Specialist will support faculty in creating accessible instructional materials, in alignment with institutional goals and accessibility standards. This position will focus on helping faculty meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards and apply Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles to their courses. The consultant will also assist faculty in implementing accommodations for students with disabilities, ensuring that learning experiences are appropriately adjusted to meet individual student needs. Through consultations, training, and resource development, the Instructional Accessibility Specialist will play a key role in advancing accessibility and student success at PNW.

Budgeted salary range:  $55,000 - $60,000

Review of applications will begin on September 29, 2025

Duties and Responsibilities of Instructional Accessibility Specialist

• Provide Accessibility Consultations and Support - Serve as the primary resource for faculty seeking guidance on making instructional materials accessible across all modalities. Support faculty in applying WCAG 2.1 AA standards and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles, and assist in implementing accommodations for students with disabilities

• Develop and Deliver Training - Design and facilitate workshops and training sessions focused on accessibility compliance, accessible document creation (e.g., Word, PDF), and strategies for adapting instructional materials to meet diverse student needs. Collaborate with campus units to ensure training reflects current standards and institutional policies.

• Create Accessibility Resources and Tools - Develop and maintain practical resources such as checklists, templates, guides, and tutorials to support faculty in creating accessible instructional materials. Organize and update a centralized repository of accessibility-related tools and documentation. 

• Assessment and Reporting - Gather and analyze data related to faculty engagement with accessibility support initiatives, including participation in consultations, training sessions, and use of resources. Contribute to internal reporting and evaluation efforts to inform future programming and identify areas for improvement in faculty support services. 

• Collaborate Across Units - Coordinate with the PNW Accessibility Center, Purdue IT, Office for Civil Rights, academic departments, and other relevant units to ensure consistent and effective support for accessibility. Participate in system-wide initiatives and discussions to promote alignment across Purdue campuses.

Benefits of Instructional Accessibility Specialist

• Full benefits – Medical, Dental, Vision, Short Term Disability, Retirement, Life Insurance and more

• Accrue 15 days’ vacation your first year, then 22 days’ vacation your 2nd year plus rollover

• University contribution of 10% to retirement (3 year waiting period)

• University contributions to Health Savings Account –

  • Plus a chance to earn more through participating in University Wellness Initiatives

• 10 paid holidays

• Employee Wellness Programs

• Paid Parental Leave after one year of service

• Tuition remission for you, your spouse and dependent children at any Purdue campus

   

For more information on our excellent benefit package, please visit: https://www.pnw.edu/human-resources/benefits/

Education of Instructional Accessibility Specialist

• Master's degree in Instructional Design, Instructional/Educational Technology, Education, or related field.

Experience of Instructional Accessibility Specialist

• Minimum of two years of experience supporting faculty or instructors in higher education, with a focus on accessibility.
• Demonstrated experience applying WCAG guidelines and UDL principles to instructional materials.
• Experience supporting faculty in implementing accommodations for students with disabilities.
• Experience designing and facilitating professional development programs for educators. 

Core Competencies of Instructional Accessibility Specialist

Required:

• Deep understanding of accessibility standards (WCAG 2.1 AA) and Universal Design for Learning (UDL).
• Familiarity with instructional technologies and Learning Management Systems (e.g., Brightspace/D2L).
• Ability to guide faculty in making accommodations to learning experiences while maintaining academic rigor.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to consult effectively one-on-one and present to groups.
• Experience developing practical resources (e.g., guides, templates, tutorials) to support faculty.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines independently and collaboratively.

Preferred:

• Experience working with assistive technologies and disability support services.
• Knowledge of compliance strategies for federal accessibility regulations.
• Familiarity with AI tools that support instruction and instructional design.
• Higher education teaching experience. 

Additional Information

Purdue Northwest employs more than 1,000 faculty and staff members for operations at its main campus in Hammond, Ind., and its branch campus in Westville, Ind., plus additional sites in Northwest Indiana including the Gabis Arboretum near Valparaiso, Ind. PNW’s values reflect the university’s commitment to respect, innovation, a student-centric university, and excellence.

PNW is consistently ranked among the best public regional universities in U.S. News & World Report’s annual Best Colleges report and is recognized as a First Scholars institution as well as an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University. With its vision to cultivate leaders, inspire excellence, and impact our world, PNW advances the socioeconomic mobility of its students and positively impacts regional development. 

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