Disability Rights and Advocacy Specialist

The DR&A Specialist connects and collaborates with local and state advocacy groups that work to make policy and legislative changes on issues related to independent living, community inclusion, and equal access for people with disabilities

Position Title: Disability Rights and Advocacy Specialist Full-time salaried position (37.5 hours per week Monday thru Friday) with the area’s only Independent Living Center, a non-profit providing services for people with disabilities. Annual salary range is $37,500 to $40,000; this position offers a generous benefits package. To perform job duties candidate must have reliable transportation, valid driver’s license, and auto insurance for travel in Southwest Ohio with mileage reimbursement. Sign-on bonus. Position Summary: The Disability Rights and Advocacy (DR&A) Specialist coordinates all aspects of the Center’s individual and systemic advocacy efforts with the goal of increasing independent living opportunities and community inclusion for persons with disabilities. The DR&A Specialist connects and collaborates with local and state advocacy groups that work to make policy and legislative changes on issues related to independent living, community inclusion, and equal access. Advocacy topics and issues can include: affordable and accessible housing options; accessible transportation services and systems; increased funding and availability of home and community-based services; equal access to employment opportunities; greater community integration and accommodations of people with disabilities; and more. Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in human services, political science, or related field; experience working with people with disabilities; excellent oral and written communication skills; experience with public speaking and presentations; strong interpersonal skills; and an ability to work with limited supervision while maintaining program accountability. Preference for someone with strong knowledge of one or more of the following: legislative and policy creation processes; disability-related laws such the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Fair Housing Act; community and social service resources commonly used or needed by people with disabilities. Essential Functions of the Position: • Take an active role in local and state-wide groups and committees that work on legislative, policy, or community-based advocacy for issues important to independent living for people with disabilities. • Develop and implement activities for the Center that promote advocacy on issues important to independent living for people with disabilities. This may include organizing advocacy-related events such as public forums, legislative meetings, community surveys, letter writing campaigns, etc. • Provide trainings and presentations for individuals with disabilities around the issues of advocacy and civic engagement. • Expand and strengthen local and regional advocacy efforts by building on existing efforts and encouraging the formation of new disability rights issues and initiatives in areas of Ohio where they do not exist. • Provide guidance, instruction, and support to empower individuals with disabilities to engage in self-advocacy on issues important to their lives. • Improve the understanding of policymakers, community members and groups, and other key stakeholders at the local and state levels about barriers people with disabilities face in their communities, and initiate activities to remove those barriers. • Support local, state, and federal legislation, policy, and funding initiatives that promote independence and inclusion of people with disabilities. • Perform other duties as assigned by the direct supervisor or Executive Director. To Apply: If you have the prerequisite experience and skills, please submit your resume with a cover letter stating your qualifications, strengths and experiences that qualify you for this position by email or postal mail (no phone calls, please). Center for Independent Living Options, Inc. 2031 Auburn Avenue ∙ Cincinnati, OH 45219 CILO is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring people reflecting the diversity of our community. We provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants.