Assistive Technology Specialist

Position Overview: The Assistive Technology Specialist works within the Accessibility Services Office and provide support and training for faculty, staff, and students in the use of assistive technologies to enhance learning, communication, and equal access within the Iona University community. This position will perform a variety of technical duties involved in the production, delivery, and end-user training of assistive technology and alternative media for students with disabilities, to ensure equal access to all courses, programs, and activities.  

Key Responsibilities: 

• Assess the assistive technology needs of faculty, staff, and students and recommend appropriate solutions to enhance accessibility and support individual needs. 

• Help faculty to determine appropriate alternate media, formatting, and/or alternative assistive technologies to make their courses accessible 

• Collaborate with faculty and departments to integrate assistive technology into course design and delivery, ensuring that course materials and activities are accessible and provided in a timely manner. 

• Provide one-on-one consultations to students, faculty, and staff to support the use of assistive technology tools (e.g., screen readers, speech-to-text software, alternative input devices). 

• Train individuals on how to use assistive technology and software to improve academic performance, productivity, and communication. 

• Develop and deliver AT workshops, tutorials, demos, and training sessions on assistive technologies for faculty, staff, and students. 

• Develop guidelines and provide technical support for access to curricula, distance education courses, student support services, web page and other electronic information sources in compliance with federal and state laws, regulations, and professional guidelines. 

• Remain current with best practice in the use of assistive technology in higher education 

• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of assistive technology tools and recommend updates or changes as needed. 

• Stay current on emerging trends, tools, and best practices in assistive technology. 

• Coordinate with IT services and other campus departments to ensure the proper installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of assistive technology equipment and software. 

• Knowledge of the use of AI and its limitations. Ideas for how to use it safely in an academic setting to enhance accessibility. 

• Assist in developing and implementing policies related to assistive technology on campus. 

• Bachelor's degree in Assistive Technology, or related field; and at least one year of responsible experience working with disabled students determining alternate media and assistive technologies to meet their needs; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.  

• Availability for occasional evenings and weekends to participate in campus events

Qualifications 

• Knowledge of accessibility guidelines and laws for individuals with disabilities such as Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Sections 504 and 508 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 Level AA web content accessibility standards. 

• Proficiency in using a variety of assistive technologies, including screen readers, speech-to-text software, magnification software, adaptive keyboards, and other related tools. 

• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with a diverse community of students, faculty, and staff. 

• Knowledge of accessibility issues related to digital content, websites, and e-learning platforms. 

• Ability to troubleshoot technical issues and collaborate with IT support teams. 

• Ability to set prioritize, analyze situations, evaluate alternatives, exercise sound judgment, and adopt effective courses of action. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Certification or advanced training in assistive technology. 

• Experience with Learning Management Systems (LMS) and accessible digital content creation. 

• Familiarity with adaptive equipment and hardware (e.g., alternative input devices, ergonomic tools). 

• Experience in developing and delivering workshops or training sessions. 

About Iona University/EEO language

Founded in 1940, Iona University is a master's-granting private, Catholic, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers. Iona's 45-acre New Rochelle campus and 28-acre Bronxville campus are just 20 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. With a total enrollment of nearly 4,000 students and an alumni base of more than 50,000 around the world, Iona is a diverse community of learners and scholars dedicated to academic excellence and the values of justice, peace and service. Iona is highly accredited, offering undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, science and business administration, as well as Master of Arts, Master of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees and numerous advanced certificate programs. Iona students enjoy small class sizes, engaged professors and a wide array of academic programs across the School of Arts & Science; LaPenta School of Business; NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences; and Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Iona also continues to be recognized in prestigious national rankings. Most recently for 2025, Iona has been named one of the nation’s best colleges by The Princeton Review, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and others. Additionally, U.S. News & World Report recognized Iona as one of top colleges for social mobility in the country, while Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) ranked an Iona degree in the top 5 percent nationally for long-term return on investment. Iona’s LaPenta School of Business, meanwhile, is also accredited by AACSB International, a recognition awarded to just 6 percent of business schools worldwide.

Iona offers a comprehensive benefits package to all full-time employees that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; retirement plans; life insurance; short and long-term disability; employee assistance program (EAP); tuition remission; and generous time off. For more information on our benefits and working at Iona visit the Human Resources section of our website.

Iona University values and celebrates diversity and is committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all of our employees and does not tolerate discrimination based on any legally protected characteristic under applicable federal, state, or local laws. As an equal opportunity employer, Iona University encourages applications from qualified candidates who reflect the wider world in which we live.