Accessibility Coach

On Behalf Of All (OBOA) is a five-year Lilly Endowment Inc. funded initiative of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese which seeks to make the worship practices of the Orthodox Church accessible to children, ages birth to 12 years, with disabilities. We aim to create a nationwide directory of people who: have disabilities and are advocates, are professionals such as Special Education teachers, OTs, PTs, STs, child/family psychologists/counselors, and caregivers for disability populations who are willing to apply to provide guidance for the Pilot Parishes as Accessibility Coaches within the scope of the grant stipulations.
These persons would commit to helping the OBOA Grant Director and Asst. Director and Pilot Parish representatives establish goals based on the use of a provided assessment tool, lead parish-wide retreats at their assigned parish, and provide an average of 2-4 hours per month of virtual or in-person support and problem-solving assistance for Pilot Parishes regarding the incorporation of children with disabilities. Approved coaches will be paired with parishes depending on their disability ministry experience and each parish's specific needs. Stipends are provided for approved coaches, in addition to training regarding the On Behalf of All Grant goals and scope.
The ideal candidate will:
  • Be an Orthodox Christian in good standing with their home parish
  • Have professional and/or personal experience working with children with disabilities
  • Possess interpersonal communication skills
  • Be capable of traveling once per year to their assigned Pilot Parish
  • Have skills leading/facilitating retreats
  • Commit to the require GOARCH Youth Safety Training and OBOA preparatory training, and book studies
  • Learn, adopt, convey, and work toward the OBOA grant vision and goals
  • Commit to monthly virutal coaching sessions with Pilot Parish representatives in years 1 and 2 of the grant initiative and quarterly thereafter
  • Help create action plans for their Pilot Parish based on their completed accessibility assessments
  • Problem solve to work around or remove barriers that exist for families with disabilities in Pilot Parishes

Please note that approval of all Accessibility Coaches follows an interview, the recommendation of their parish priest, background checks, and completion of the Youth Safety Training of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

Interested persons may fill out an application via Microsoft Forms by clicking here.

Posted by

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

8 East 79th St.
New York, NY 10075

Web: https://www.goarch.org/oboa
Email: jswartz@goarch.org
Phone: 850-252-5174

Posted on: August 14, 2025