ADEEAR-L DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY & ACCESSIBLE INNOVATION TRUSTEE

About ADEEAR-L
ADEEAR-L (Accessibility by Default in Education and Economic Inclusion Advocacy Rights by Lukwago) is currently in the process of becoming formally established as a not-for-profit organisation in Ireland. As an emerging initiative with a broader European and international vision, ADEEAR-L is currently seeking founding/proposed Directors (Trustees) to help establish its governance structure, guide its development and support the organisation in achieving its long-term mission.

ADEEAR-L is an advocacy, accessibility and inclusion initiative focused on advancing accessibility by Default in education, employment, public services and wider society, while promoting economic inclusion and equal participation.
ADEEAR-L seeks to advance equality, accessibility and economic inclusion for people experiencing sensory accessibility barriers. It advocates for systems in which sensory accessibility is built into education, employment, public services and economic opportunities as a standard, rather than being dependent primarily on individual disclosure and reactive reasonable accommodation.

General ADEEAR-L Trustee Duties

As a Trustee, the Marketing, Communications and Public Engagement Trustee will be expected to:

• Comply with ADEEAR-L's governing document.
• Ensure ADEEAR-L is pursuing its charitable purposes for the public benefit.
• Act in the best interests of ADEEAR-L.
• Act with reasonable care and skill.
• Manage and safeguard the assets of the charity.
• Contribute to collective Board decision-making.
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality and professional standards.
• Identify and appropriately manage conflicts of interest.
• Support effective governance, accountability and transparency.

The Role Description and Responsibility

ADEEAR-L is seeking an individual with proven knowledge and experience in digital technology, digital accessibility, accessible innovation, information technology, web development, user experience or related fields, to provide strategic technology and accessibility expertise and help ensure that technology is designed and used in accordance with ADEEAR-L's Accessibility by Default principles.

Responsibilities will include the following:

• The candidate should have proven professional experience in digital technology, IT, digital transformation, web development, UX/UI, digital accessibility, accessible technology or a closely related field.
• To provide expert advice on digital accessibility and ensure that ADEEAR-L's digital services, communications and technology are designed to be accessible and inclusive from the outset.
• To review and advise on the accessibility of ADEEAR-L's website, digital platforms, online services, documents and other digital communications.
• To advise the Board on appropriate accessibility standards, inclusive design principles and emerging technologies that could support ADEEAR-L's mission.
• To identify opportunities for technology and digital innovation to improve accessibility in education, employment, public services and economic participation.
• To provide oversight of digital technology risks, including cybersecurity, data protection, information security, digital resilience and appropriate technology governance.
• To advise on technology procurement and the selection of digital systems, ensuring that accessibility, security, usability and value for money are appropriately considered.
• To support the development of ADEEAR-L's digital strategy and contribute to the organisation's long-term technology and innovation planning.
• To help establish appropriate digital accessibility policies, procedures and standards across ADEEAR-L's activities.
• To monitor developments in accessible technology and advise the Board on innovative tools, systems and approaches that could advance ADEEAR-L's accessibility by Default mission.
• To support the organisation in ensuring that digital communications are available in accessible formats and that technology does not create additional barriers for disabled people or other people experiencing sensory accessibility barriers.
• To work collaboratively with other Trustees, volunteers and relevant external specialists to ensure that technology supports rather than undermines ADEEAR-L's accessibility and inclusion objectives.

Desired Skills and Experience for ideal candidate

• Professional experience in IT, digital technology or a related field.
• Knowledge of digital accessibility and inclusive technology.
• Experience with accessible websites, digital platforms or digital services.
• Understanding of UX/UI and inclusive design principles.
• Knowledge of cybersecurity and information security.
• Understanding of data protection and responsible technology governance.
• Experience of digital transformation or technology strategy.
• Ability to explain technical issues clearly to non-technical Board members.
• An interest in emerging accessible technologies and innovation.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Commitment to equality, accessibility and inclusion

Experience working with disabled people, accessibility organisations, education, public services or inclusion initiatives would be advantageous.

The Digital Technology and Accessible Innovation Trustee will also be expected to undertake reasonable preparation before meetings and provide occasional specialist advice between meetings where required.

The successful candidate will have an opportunity to help shape ADEEAR-L's digital infrastructure and contribute to the development of innovative approaches to accessibility, education and economic inclusion.