Accessibility Specialist

Description


The Accessibility Specialist reports to the Director of DSS and arranges and coordinates reasonable educational accommodations for students with disabilities in accordance with the American’s with Disabilities Act.

The Specialist educates students on university policies and procedures; and collaborates with faculty regarding note taking, testing, and other accommodations. The Specialist manages assistive technologies and services, and the conversion of alternative texts into electronic format. The Specialist serves as an academic coach to routinely advise a caseload of students by suggesting tailored strategies for academic improvement and success including executive functioning skills; test-taking and motivation strategies; effective time management; writing assistance; conflict resolution, prioritization and problem-solving; and more. The position is also responsible for creating and maintaining records; hiring, training, and overseeing student employees; purchasing supplies and invoicing purchases; and budget matters. There is frequent contact with students from diverse backgrounds and abilities, and with staff, faculty, and parents. Maintains an up-to-date, working knowledge of disability law, best practices, and changes in higher education pertaining to assistive technology and accommodations through professional memberships, daily list serves, and conferences. Must be able to observe strict policies of confidentiality and tactfully handle sensitive personal matters.

Advises and communicates with a caseload of students with varying abilities, including at-risk students, through in-person meetings, email, and phone contacts.
Hires, trains, and supervises student employees; coordinates exams; and orders alternative texts and other accessible materials and services for students. Communication with
faculty and staff to coordinate accommodations.
Administrative tasks such as budget planning, records management, reports, and spreadsheets. Maintains and updates DSS website and works with IT to ensure online accessibility. Interacts with software to support office functions


Qualifications


Bachelors degree required
Experience and skills working with diverse and under-represented populations, especially students with disabilities at the post-secondary level
Clear knowledge and understanding of the application of Section 504 and the ADA especially in the context of post-secondary education
Strong team player with the ability to foster positive and effective relationships
Flexibility and experience to handle unexpected and potentially emergency/crisis situations
Experience supervising or coordinating others
Possess the ability and desire to learn and understand new technologies
Excellent listening and effective communication skills, including the ability to work comfortably and effectively with diverse populations and with people from all areas and levels of the university