ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

Coordinate the implementation and evaluation of assistive technology materials and accessible technology to students with disabilities as well as larger college technological initiatives. Responsible for provision of alternative format media for students with disabilities which include converting materials into electronic and braille formats, facilitating closed captions and audio description for videos, and coordinating transcription and interpretation services. A successful candidate must be aware of W.C.A.G 2.1 standards, as well as other federal, state, and local guidelines as they pertain to assistive technology compliance, legal framework, and best practice in order to help make recommendations and provide direction in the procurement of accessible tools and accessible design of digital spaces. The position will train and support students in the use of assistive technology by developing training materials and meeting 1 on 1 with students to assess, determine, facilitate and coordinate services. Act as a campus consultant and maintain a database of assistive technology resources on campus, help to coordinate compliance note-taking requests, and provide the college with the most recent information regarding innovations in this field.  Manage and train student workers to support various conversion processes.   

Provide and/or produce class texts (course outlines, books, readings, etc.) in alternate format (maintaining adherence to Federal copyright laws) to students with print disabilities.  Stay aware of and ensure files meet appropriate accessibility standards. Oversee, train, and support student workers to assist with the conversion process. Consult with faculty and other campus partners to ensure accessible formats are provided. 

Coordinate any requests for closed captions, audio descriptions, interpreting, and/or transcription services by deciding on the need and then connecting with 3rd party providers. Initiate outreach, build relationships, and cross-campus collaborations to provide training and technical support to faculty and students. 

Maintain awareness, legal framework understanding, and overall knowledge base of accessibility compliance as relates to assistive technology as well as digital accessibility.   

Provide consultation, guidance, and compliance-related information to staff, faculty, and college initiatives when digital accessibility compliance is relevant. Offices that this role will work in consultation with include but are not limited to Information Technology, The Center for Faculty Excellence, Library Services, Marketing & Communications, The Registrar's Office, Student Financial Services, Event Services, and NSTP.  

The candidate will need to build rapport with faculty and Deans to have a presence in classrooms to ensure certain technologies (i.e. ASDs) are effective and usable.   

Research and create best practices documentation and guides for faculty and staff.  Offer guidance for Ithaca College policies for digital content creation.   

Review WCAG compliance and V.P.A.Ts for new college technological purchases and make appropriate recommendations. Maintain awareness of IC supported support learning tools to understand accessibility features and limitations.  Help create Equally Effective Alternative Access Plans for areas of identified weakness within accessibility standards.   

Create and maintain records of student requests, actions taken to obtain documents, deadlines, timeframes etc. For all conversions and technology needs, clearly communicate actions taken and appropriate next steps in detail with students and faculty. 

Develop and demonstrate multicultural awareness and contribute to cultivation of an inclusive, diverse and respectful College community. Demonstrate civil and inclusive behavior when interacting with staff, faculty, students and visitors to the College. Promote a flexible, collaborative and inclusive work and living environment and engage in educational opportunities to increase awareness and understanding of diversity and inclusion. 

Provide assessments for individual students regarding their need for assistive technology and make recommendations to students that might be most effective for them. Develop online training materials for students using assistive technology. Supervise and provide training sessions for new users.  Maintain and update this technology information on the SAS website. 

Coordinate notetaking requests.  Stay fluent in the usage of modern notetaking AT to train and provide technology options as appropriate.  Facilitate communication with faculty for in-person notetaking support.   

Conduct on-going needs assessment and evaluations to determine the effectiveness of technology and to make recommendations for future technological needs that will enhance student access or success.   

Maintain inventory of department assistive technology including both hardware and software. Ensure tracking and return of all borrowed AT devices by students. Ensure departmental technological resources are kept in good working order, maintaining updates, software, licenses, etc.   

Create training materials and maintain connections to relevant IC departments (C.F.E., OT, etc.) as it is related to digital accessibility.  Maintain Canvas digital accessibility training site. 

Engage in professional development activities with the purpose of keeping current on the advancement of technology for access in higher education.  Provide college with suggestions for new technologies, both software and hardware, that may be suitable for implementation at a college level 

Support the testing coordinator as needed to support high volume testing days. Keep aware of the Learning Management System (currently Canvas) accessibility for students with testing accommodations.  

Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s and/or combination of relevant experience preferred.  Experience with remediation of documents and A/V media is strongly preferred. A successful candidate will have excellent communication skills and the ability to work independently, make high-level decisions based on needs, track, organize, and manage multiple priorities with the ability to work both collaboratively as well as independently. Hybrid options are available.    

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Interested applicants must apply online and attach a resume, cover letter, and list of three professional supervisory references. Questions about online applications should be directed to the Office of Human Resources at (607) 274-8000 or humanresources@ithaca.edu.

Ithaca College is committed to building a diverse academic community and encourages members of underrepresented groups to apply. Experience that contributes to the diversity of the college is appreciated.

Visa sponsorship is not provided for this position.