Associate Director for Disability Services

Case Western Reserve University is committed to providing a transparent estimate of the salary range available for this position at the time of its posting. The salary range is between $56,395 and $71,340, depending on qualifications, experience, department budgets, and industry data.

Employees receive more than just a paycheck. University employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare, retirement plans, tuition assistance, paid time off, and a winter recess.

POSITION OBJECTIVE

The Department of Disability Resources is the campus resource that ensures students with disabilities are afforded all the legal rights and protections as mandated in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as amended and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The Disability Resource Department is responsible for ensuring that students who disclose disabilities are provided an equitable process for the implementation and accessibility across campus to ensure the university legal compliance. To this end the Associate Director works directly with students, faculty, and staff to assist with all aspects of the student accommodation process on campus.

The Associate Director acts as a liaison to multiple departments on campus that impact academic, housing, dining, and campus accessibility. Engages in frequent communication between campus stakeholders to assure compliance with the Federal and State statutes relative to individuals with disabilities. The Disability Resources department manages a growing population of undergraduate and graduate students (1,500 ) registered with the office that have ongoing and changing needs. The Associate Director will manage a caseload of approximately 40 percent of the students registered. The Associate Director will implement the accommodation process by completing documentation review, intake evaluation, and determination of accommodations for students disclosing to the office. Facilitate the implementation of accommodations between departments to ensure compliance. This position will identify outside funding sources, including grant opportunities related to Disability Resources and bring them to the Associate Dean for review. Finally, the Associate Director will work directly with the Associate Dean to develop programs to increase the visibility of the department on campus.

Essential Functions

• Responsible for managing a large caseload of an extremely busy, high paced office with a very large caseload of students (600 ), by educating newly registered students on the process of accessing approved accommodations and working with registered students each semester to handle problems and changing needs of disabilities. Review and evaluate applications and documentation, outreach to students, complete initial eligibility (intake) interviews with new and prospective students. Determine which, if any, reasonable accommodations may apply, author an individual accommodation memo, make any necessary arrangements with other departments and instruct students on how to access any reasonable accommodation(s). Review and assess all documents and applications for every student prior to an appointment. Evaluate professional qualifications of assessor, disability type and impact of disability on major life activities. Utilize background and knowledge of DSM-V (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders) and assessment interpretation to critically examine diagnosis determination and recommended accommodations. Communicate with students regarding documentation requirements and policies. Work with registered students to provide coaching skills such as self-advocacy, executive function, and essential skills for students with disabilities in the higher education setting. Serve as administrator of a weekly case review tracker for all new student requests needing consultation. Present student cases to the associate dean for evaluation and consultation during weekly meetings. (40%)
• Investigate and review the ADA and the Federal Housing Act (FHA). Review and develop a plan to update the institutional policies related to students with disabilities. Consult with university Office of General Counsel regarding policy updates and the impact toward legal compliance and guidance through the ADA, FHA and the Office of Civil Rights. Review policy for the Office of Accommodated Testing and Services (OATS) to determine compliance. Present recommendations to the assistant dean for approval and implementation. Instruct faculty and staff regarding the Case Western Reserve University policy on students with disabilities and the practical application of the policy in courses, programs and in delivering services on campus. This includes developing and presenting programs regarding Disability Resources and general disability related issues for students, staff, or faculty and other campus and community partners. Serve as departmental point person for various graduate and professional programs. Communicate with key stakeholders in each program regarding registered students and their needs. Participate in resource fairs, orientation programs, faculty meetings, etc. for these programs as a representative of the office. Act as primary coordinator for high-stakes testing accommodation requests for all graduate/professional programs and examinations, including the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE), Bar exam, United States Medical Licensing Exams (USMLE), Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE), social work licensure and any other licensing/board exams. Serve as point of contact for students, assist them in the process of applying and author necessary forms, accommodation records and letters of support. (20%)
• Oversee the development and dissemination of best practices in relation to accommodations in undergraduate, graduate and professional programs, including research regarding relevant case law and current trends within the field of disability resources. Develop and present to the campus community programs related to disability issues/accommodation implementation. (10%)
• As system administrator, manage, edit and update Accessibility Information Management (AIM) system. Oversee workflow of student applications and documentation submissions and supervise department assistant in processing. Create and monitor data trackers of new applications, documentation and student progression through the registration process. Coordinate necessary troubleshooting efforts with AIM LLC¿s support staff. Plan regular meetings and trainings with AIM LLC to expand portal capabilities and implement updates. Track student data through AIM and compile statistics for presentations, funding requests and reporting. Develop and disseminate departmental surveys via AIM. Utilize collected AIM data and survey responses to conduct yearly department review. (10%)
• Coach students during regular check-in appointments (weekly, bi-weekly, etc.) on managing their academic work while establishing and practicing a healthy lifestyle that supports management of their particular disability. Identify problem areas and behaviors and work with students to develop more effective practices and habits. Refer students to Case Western Reserve University and non-university support offices and/or organizations as needed to support student success. (10%)
• Recruit, train and supervise two assistant directors. Develop employees¿ confidence in their ability to be successful by meeting on a regular basis, sharing information and guiding employees to make decisions on how objectives will be achieved and issues resolved in their assigned areas of responsibilities. Provide employees with clear expectations regarding organizational values and desired results. Establish ongoing clear and honest performance feedback. Collaboratively identify professional and self-development plans. Complete timely annual staff performance evaluations. (7%)
  
  
  

Nonessential Funcitons

• Serve as the Disability Resources representative for the Behavioral Intervention and Care Management Team (BIT) in the absence of the Associate Dean. Compile referral lists of potential BIT students each week. Add selected student cases to BIT list and present at weekly BIT meetings. Bring back a list of registered students on BIT and review with Associate Dean; update these students¿ notes in the AIM system accordingly. Refer students to Care Management team as needed and participate in Care Management meetings. Assist with the registration and accommodation implementation for referred students in crisis. (2%)
• Identify outside funding sources, including grant opportunities related to disability resources. (1%)
  
  
  

CONTACTS

Department: Continuous contact with the Associate Dean for Disability Resources regarding consultation, provide and receive information, report difficulties or complaints, analysis and recommendation of policies and legal requirements. Continuous contact with the Office of Accommodated Testing and Services in relation to testing accommodations, note taking and assistive technology for students registered with Disability Resources.

University: Continuous contact with faculty to provide policy information, advise on student issues, present programs. Regular contact with the providers in Health and Counseling Services in relation to students¿ needs and documentation. Frequent contact with Wellness staff regarding programs and promotions. Frequent contact with the Office of General Counsel to review legal requirements and applications for students to maintain university compliance; consult on specific cases and policy development. Frequent contact with Student Success and Graduate Studies staff to provide and receive student information, resolve student complaints. Frequent contact with the Office of Equity staff (504 Coordinator) to provide and receive information regarding legal requirements, collaborate on services/programs, review campus policies, implement findings of resolved student complaints. Moderate contact with the MSASS Assistant Dean of Student Services to provide and receive student information, represent Disability Resources at orientation programs. Moderate contact with the Law School, Director of Student Services to provide and receive student information including any accommodations for law school students. Moderate contact with other various graduate/professional programs regarding student information/accommodations. Frequent contact with the Associate Director of University Housing to share information regarding student¿s approved accommodations. Moderate contact with Dining Services and Bon Appetit to coordinate accommodations for students with nutritional based disabilities. Occasional contact with the Access Services staff to provide information on students approved for parking accommodations. Occasional contact with the Protective Services dispatcher staff to provide information on students approved responsive transportation accommodations.

External: Frequent contact with physicians and other healthcare professionals to receive and clarify documentation regarding students with disabilities. Regular contact with the Association on Higher Education and Disability to participate on listserv, conferences, webinars and training programs to obtain current legal information and practical applications for providing services.

Students: Continuous contact with undergraduate, graduate and professional students and prospective students via individual meetings, group programs to share information on policies, eligibility, determinations of services/accommodations, advise on disability issues, teach self-advocacy skills.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate two Assistant Directors for Disability Resources.

QUALIFICAITONS

Experience: 4 to 6 years of experience required. Experience working with students with disabilities in an educational setting is preferred. Higher education setting preferred.

Education: Master¿s degree in counseling, education, rehabilitation, psychology, or other related field required.

Required Skills

• Working knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
• Working knowledge of FERPA laws.
• Ability to interpret medical and psychological evaluations of disabilities.
• Working knowledge of disabilities and appropriate postsecondary accommodations.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Prefer experience with grant writing and acquisition.
• Prefer understanding of Universal Design Principles.
• Prefer working knowledge in relation to digital accessibility and assistive technology tools.
• Prefer computer literacy is expected as well as, experience with assistive technology.
• Ability to meet consistent attendance.
• Ability to effectively interact with colleagues, supervisors and customers face to face.
• Willingness to learn and utilize Artificial Intelligence (AI).
• Demonstrated history of successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.
  
  
  

WORKING CONDITIONS

Typical office setting. Flexibility to be available on evenings and weekends to meet program and position objectives.

Case Western Reserve University is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are protected under federal and state laws and university policy from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, protected veteran status, disability, age and genetic information.

Case Western Reserve University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act regarding reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the CWRU Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicants will be made on a case-by-case basis.