Family and Student Engagement Specialist

American Printing House for the Blind•Louisville, KY

1d•$70,000 - $90,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Family and Student Engagement Specialist leads APH’s national strategy to support families and students who are blind or low vision. This role serves as a strategic advisor to Outreach leadership on national positioning, partnership prioritization, and emerging cross-sector opportunities. The Specialist serves as APH’s internal and external resource on family engagement, IDEA-informed navigation, and student-focused programming. This position oversees national student initiatives such as the APH Abacus Bee and National Coding Symposium, manages the Parent Advisory Committee, and coordinates with national parent and disability organizations to ensure families have access to high-quality information and support. This role supports ConnectCenter and Hive content strategy for families and students but does not manage website operations or digital publishing infrastructure. This role also supports Monarch family and student adoption by reinforcing training through family-centered application support, connecting Monarch use to IEP/504 and transition planning considerations, and gathering structured feedback from students and families to inform continuous improvement. This role reports to the Senior Director of Outreach Services.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in special education, social work, vocational rehabilitation, or related field required.
Minimum 3+ years of experience working with blind, low vision, or deafblind individuals and with children and/or families in disability-related settings.
Strong knowledge of IDEA, IEP/IFSP processes, and family systems within special education.
Experience coordinating events, initiatives, or advisory groups and supporting assistive technology adoption in home and school settings.
Familiarity with braille, assistive technology ecosystems, and digital accessibility considerations.
Excellent communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills; ability to work independently in remote/hybrid environments with proficiency in Microsoft Office tools.

Nice To Haves

Master’s Degree or specialization in blindness/low vision or orientation & mobility.
Demonstrated proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing in English and additional languages as applicable.
Experience designing high-quality educational materials, developing, and implementing programs.
Strong ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, both independently and collaboratively.
Proficiency using technology in educational settings including Google Suite, Microsoft Office, and Zoom.
Skilled in collaborative planning, coordination, and execution of initiatives.

Responsibilities

Lead and implement a national family engagement and partnership strategy aligned with APH priorities, research-based practices, and IDEA requirements, including measurable outcomes.
Build and maintain relationships with national and regional partners while identifying opportunities to expand family outreach and engagement.
Develop and deliver accessible, high-quality materials and resources that support families in navigating services, advocacy, and special education processes (IFSPs, IEPs, transition planning).
Manage and facilitate family engagement initiatives, including the Parent Advisory Committee and ongoing forums, ensuring meaningful family and student voice.
Support effective use and sustained adoption of dynamic tactile displays (e.g., Monarch) through practical guidance, follow-up, and family-friendly resources in collaboration with technical teams.
Collaborate across APH teams to align messaging, incorporate family perspectives into programs, and use feedback, research, and data to drive continuous improvement and impact measurement.