Access Programs Facilitator

Access Programs Facilitator

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.

General Schedule:

• 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 Cafe 

• 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 

Directions to apply

Apply on the Smithsonian volunteer system. 

• Click this link if you are a new user.
• Click this link if you are an existing user.

Be prepared with the following documents: 

• Completed Application Form 

• Resume 

• Single Page Cover Letter (please address the below topics) 

• 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. 

Application deadline – Rolling

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Access Programs Facilitator are selected quarterly, to align with required trainings (March, June, September, and December). We will contact you if you are selected for an interview. 

We strongly encourage applicants with lived experience with disability to apply. Email CHAccess@si.edu or call 212.849.8384 for questions about or assistance with this application.