Accommodation Specialist

Accommodation Specialists often serve as the first point of contact between individuals with disabilities and businesses, making this a rewarding career for individuals who enjoy helping others. Through collaboration with an individual, they develop an individualized plan to meet their access and functional needs. These plans provide people with disabilities the opportunity to participate in activities that would otherwise be inaccessible. Accommodation Specialists are critical to making the built environment accessible and supportive of people with disabilities.

Job Description

These professionals work with individuals and businesses to create inclusive spaces. Common tasks include:

• Performing accessibility assessments on buildings and other spaces
• Consulting with clients to identify their needs
• Drafting individualized plans to meet access and functional needs
• Working with contractors to implement modifications
• Providing education and training on accessibility
• Advocating for the rights of people with disabilities

Skills and Qualifications

To become an effective Accommodation Specialist, individuals should possess the following skills and qualifications:

• Strong knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other accessibility laws
• Understanding of universal design principles
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Problem-solving and critical thinking skills
• Experience working with people with disabilities
• Computer literacy and proficiency in assistive technology
• Bachelor's or master's degree in a related field, such as architecture, engineering, or social work

Career Outlook

The job outlook for Accommodation Specialists is expected to be good due to the increasing demand for accessibility. As people with disabilities become more aware of their rights, businesses are becoming increasingly focused on creating inclusive spaces.

Steps to Becoming an Accommodation Specialist

There are a number of steps that individuals can take to become an Accommodation Specialist:

• Earn a bachelor's or master's degree in a related field. Consider a degree in architecture, engineering, social work, or rehabilitation
• Gain experience working with people with disabilities. Volunteer or intern with organizations that serve people with disabilities
• Take online courses on accessibility and universal design. This could prepare you for part-time or full-time studies to enter into Accommodation Specialist, or to develop your skills in an existing career in Accommodation Specialist or a field adjacent to Accommodation Specialist
• Obtain certification in accessibility. Consider the Certified Access Specialist (CASp) or Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Concepts (CPACC) certifications
• Network with other professionals in the field. Attend industry events and conferences

Online Learning

Online courses can be a great way to learn about accessibility and universal design. Here are some of the skills and knowledge one can gain from online courses:

• An understanding of the ADA and other accessibility laws
• Knowledge of universal design principles
• Basic accessibility assessment skills
• How to develop individualized plans
• How to work with contractors to implement modifications

Online courses can also help learners develop the soft skills needed to be successful in this field, such as communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.

Is an Online Education Enough?

For some who already have a degree in a related field, online courses may be enough to prepare for a career in this field. However, most employers prefer candidates with a bachelor's or master's degree and experience working with people with disabilities.