The International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAPC) is a newly formed
Professional Association focused on professionals with skills to make ICT and services
accessible to people with disabilities around the world. This includes a diverse set of
professionals who work in a variety of settings and are both dedicated to accessibility as well as
work in mainstream roles where accessibility is a part of their work. It is the goal of IAAP to
build capacity within the world of ICT through education and eventually a certification to enable
a robust profession and thereby changing the current dynamics to enable greater access for
people with disabilities.
As a start-up organization IAAP has 30 founding member companies and organizations as well
as 1200 individual members from over 40 countries. IAAP has 4 major areas of focus in its early
years to accomplish:
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Association Development
o Develop and fully execute a complete governance model to ensure the success of
the association both financially and in meeting the overall goals for its
membership.
Individual Professional Development
o Develop and implement activities, including a certification program, to enable
professionals working in accessibility and those interested in knowing more about
accessibility to influence and implement accessibility within any organization.
Organizational Development
o Develop resources and programs by which organizations, corporations and
government entities can learn and grow their accessibility strategies to increase
overall access and opportunities for persons with disabilities.
Community Development
o Develop a program to make connections amongst the broader accessibility
community and beyond to reach the goal of supporting existing efforts and grow
the numbers within the profession.
IAAP seeks a strong leader with superior association management skills to take IAAP to the next
step in offering our members great value and helping to bring accessibility to the masses.
Our new leader should be entrepreneurial with a great agility to manage many aspects of a newly
formed association. This includes contracting staff models, hiring, strategic goal setting, board
management and planning, and sound financial management. Below are some items the IAAP
Board values in a CEO:
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Maintain contacts with and establish strong working relationships with other allied
organizations serving the industry, partners, leaders, and affiliates in order to effectively
develop strong global relationships for IAAP
Set the organization’s direction with Board support on issues impacting the ability of the
IAAP to fulfill on its mission
Provide leadership and effective management support to the IAAP by building
appropriate systems and staffing models.
On an ongoing basis, The IAAP CEO will:
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Lead the development of the organization’s plans and programs as a strategic
partner with the Board including evaluating and advising on the introduction of
new programs/strategies and advising the Board regularly on the condition and
operation of the IAAP especially developments affecting the IAAP’s ability to
fulfill its mission.
Implement and oversee plans, programs, and initiatives as decided by the Board,
including the development of long-and short-term goals that will enhance the
organization’s effectiveness.
Enhance/develop, implement, and enforce policies and procedures of the
organization by way of systems that will improve the overall operation and
effectiveness of IAAP.
Work closely with the Board of Directors to maintain stewardship and
accountability for financial resources including establishing the annual budget and
accurately aligning expenditures so that resources are appropriately deployed.
Specifically, the Board of The IAAP is seeking a professional with:
A Bachelor’s degree, preferably a graduate degree.
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Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Experience in leadership/management of a division, business or association,
including the ability to set a direction, build consensus, prepare a strong budget
and strategic plan, achieve project and organizational goals, and report results on
a quarterly basis; international experience a plus.
Demonstrable management experience in an early start up or small staff
association that requires a great deal of development both of systems and general
development.
Strong technical acumen, including familiarity with association and financial
management systems as well as productivity-enhancing desktop tools.
Technically willing and able to learn about how accessibility works and impacts
our members and committed to reach the accessibility goals of our organization.
Ability to work independently and across diverse groups
Strong financial management.
Experience and Qualifications:
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Proven business development experience — driving revenue generation through
development of strategic alliances and creating valuable member benefits.
Demonstrated effective communications/relationship building with members,
professional colleagues and affiliated organizations.
Understanding and successful application of technology applications in association
management
Positive experience working with/being accountable to a governing board
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Proven track record in organizational skills, being accountable to meet deadlines and be
responsive to diverse constituencies.
Proven networking ability, exceptional interpersonal skills, development and
understanding of complex relationships.
Strong skills in budgeting and financial management.
Ability to provide visionary and strategic leadership and translate that vision into
measurable strategies and concrete actions that advance the mission.
Qualities and Attributes:
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A dynamic and articulate leader who understands, embraces and articulates IAAP’s role
and purpose, and effectively communicates same to staff, members, media, etc.
Committed to timely, thoughtful and honest communications.
An effective “thought leader” and excellent listener, able to handle diverse personalities.
Commitment to understanding and supporting the Board’s governance structure.
Able to gracefully “take charge” yet readily collaborate with and appropriately accept
direction from the Board.
Please submit salary history with your cover letter and resume to
applications@accessibilityassociation.org. IAAP expects the first 6 months will be on a contract basis and
salary will be negotiated. There will be incentives for achieving the current goals for the IAAP.