DIRECTOR OF DISABILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES

Description Of Job

The Director of Disability and Accessibility Services serves as an advocate for accessibility across campus, including developing best practices and implementing policies and procedures related to access and disabilities. The Director provides direct service to students with disabilities and English-language learners, including responsibility for facilitating access to courses, programs, services, activities, and facilities for students with disabilities. The Director works in collaboration with students, faculty, and staff across campus to determine and provide reasonable accommodations, develop and implement best practices in promoting inclusive design, and assess services. The Director uses their judgement and expertise to improve accessibility of the campus through the delivery of programs and services that promote access and inclusion.

Responsibilities

Direct Services:

• Collaborates with students to identify barriers to full participation in the curricular and co-curricular environments and determine appropriate accommodations.
• Directs the granting of reasonable accommodations in consultation with students, faculty, and staff.
• Meet with students affiliated with the office who need help with executive functioning skill development and/or are experiencing academic difficulties or are on academic probation.
• Reviews, collects, and maintains disability documentation presented by students as a tool in assessing access and planning individual strategies.
• Oversees acquisition and implementation of adaptive technology on campus.
• Collaborates with, consults with, and provides outreach to, other campus officials, faculty, and staff on matters related to students with disabilities and the services provided (including Universal Design techniques).Educates the College community about disability-related issues and resources.
• Provides consultation, information, resources, and referrals to prospective families, students, community members, and College faculty and staff.
• Participates actively in the continuing development of services, programs, and activities.
• Facilitates the investigation and resolution of informal and formal complaints related to accommodations and support plans, including complaints brought forward from the U.S. Office of Civil Rights.
• Consult with Human Resources regarding best practices that support access to College employees.
  
  

Administrative Functions

• Maintains appropriate records by documenting communication involving students and the recommended courses of action or accommodations for students using the Maxient database.
• Hire, train, and supervise staff, including graduate assistant(s) and student worker(s).
• Oversee the development and maintenance of departmental website and other office informational materials.
• Oversee departmental budget.
• Implement and follow-through on retention initiatives as directed.
• Provide appropriate referrals to campus resources when necessary.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.
  
  

Professional Development

• Participate in continuous professional development around disability-related issues and best practices in higher education disability and accessibility programs.
  
  

College Service

• Represents the Division of Student Development on institutional committees, task forces, and groups. Also serves on Student Development division-wide committees.
• Serves as member of the Student Development staff attending meetings and retreats
• Participates in campus events as a department and division representative, including events related to admissions and enrollment.
  
  

Job Qualifications

Necessary Education or Work Experience:

• Master’s Degree in student affairs, college student personnel, learning disabilities, special education, rehabilitation counseling, education or a related field.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience working with, and providing reasonable accommodations for, students with physical, psychological, and learning disabilities in a higher education setting, or commensurate
  
  

Required Knowledge Or Skills

• Knowledge of models of disability and inclusive educational design, and their application in higher education.
• Knowledge of the application of federal and state laws that provide for an accessible higher education experience for students with disabilities.
• Strong planning and organizational skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills in a team setting and on an individual basis.
• Sensitivity to cultural differences in learning.
• Skill in fostering independent learning in students.
  
  

Specialized Technology Skills

• Knowledge of assistive technology and alternative media.
• Overall proficient skill-level in Microsoft Office, which includes: Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook, and basic computer concepts
• Willingness and ability to learn new software
  
  

Other Qualifications

Edgewood University, a Catholic college sponsored by the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa, is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to academic excellence through diversity in its faculty, staff, and students. Candidates must demonstrate multicultural competence – the awareness, knowledge, and skills needed to work with others who are culturally different from self in meaningful, relevant, and productive ways. Applicants from traditionally underrepresented populations including women and racial and ethnic minorities are especially encouraged to apply. The selected candidate must actively support the mission of the College by working with faculty, staff and students to share in our core values – truth, compassion, justice, partnership, and community.