Director, Student Accessibility Center

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Student Academic Services in the Division of Enrollment Management and Student Success, the Director of the Student Accessibility Center (SAC) provides leadership and visibility to the University’s efforts to ensure an accessible, hospitable learning environment for students with disabilities. The Director coordinates and oversees the implementation of programs and procedures to ensure students’ access to educational programs and services.

Leadership:

• Provides oversight, strategic direction, and subject-matter expertise for the Student Accessibility Center, a university-wide resource for undergraduate and graduate students (across all colleges/schools except the Stritch School of Medicine).
• Guides direct service provision for SAC including accommodation delivery; coordinates across schools and divisions, as appropriate.
• Leads, implements, and supports efforts to develop policies, programs, and infrastructure for SAC to serve students with disabilities effectively.
• Recruits, trains, and supervises a team of full-time professionals including an assistant/associate director, a testing coordinator, 5 accessibility specialists, and an administrative assistant.
• Collaborate with Student Academic Services Leadership Team to develop plans for business processes and administrative projects within SAS.
• Meet regularly with the Student Academic Services (SAS) Leadership Team to coordinate institutional and divisional communications, programming, outreach efforts, and student support resources

Student Service:

• Evaluates and interprets disability documentation for eligibility determination. Implements reasonable accommodations consistent with current law and identified best practices within the field and maintains confidentiality of records.
• Meets individually with students to discuss current accommodations, assesses need for reevaluation of accommodations, fosters student self-advocacy, and improves communication with instructors/staff throughout their academic enrollment.
• Advocates on behalf of students with faculty and staff to ensure proper facilitation of academic, program, and housing accommodations.
• Provides direct referrals to students for evaluations and on-campus academic and wellness resources.
• Works directly with students with a variety of disabilities including but not limited to Deaf and Hard of Hearing students, visually impaired, learning-disabled, and students with medical and mental disabilities.
• In collaboration with SAC staff, plans and facilitates accessibility student workshops.
• Facilitates SAC’s participation at various campus-wide events (Student Organization Fair, Wellness Fair, Orientation Resource Fairs, Admission Open Houses, etc.).
• Travels as necessary to work occasionally at the Water Tower Campus, Health Sciences Campus, and other campus locations.

Collaboration/Consultation:

• Serves as a liaison to the faculty and campus community on issues related to a range of disabilities and classroom and curriculum accommodations through the offering ongoing education opportunities.
• Serves on university committees, as needed, to represent SAC.
• Consults and provides support and guidance to faculty to ensure seamless accommodations for students.
• Partners with administrators including working closely with the Department of Residence Life and Division of Student Development regarding housing and dining accommodations for students with disabilities.
• Provides consultation for and collaborates with staff in other academic and student affairs units, including but not limited to First and Second Year Advising, undergraduate and graduate programs, Scholars Programs, New Student Programs, Learning and Student Success, Student-Athlete Academic Services, Office of International Programs, Wellness Center, Office of the Dean of Students, and Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution.
• Works directly with Facilities Management to maintain and improve accessibility on campus.
• Reviews, develops, and implements policies and procedures for providing individualized accommodations and equal access for students in accordance with legal requirements.
• Ensures an accurate and updated student case management technology platform.
• Oversees coordination of accommodated testing, note taking program, and alternative text program.
• Coordinates all Communication Access Real-time Translation (CART), ASL Interpreter services, and Assistive Listening Devices.
• Provides recommendations for annual budget and office expenditures.
• Develops and maintains accessibility program materials, website, and other technology in collaboration with accessibility staff.
• In collaboration with accessibility staff, plans and implements program assessment to ensure quality and effectiveness of services.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of diagnostic and instructional methods and emerging technologies that help students with access and learning. Learns, applies, and trains others to administer emerging technologies (e.g., computer software applications) as necessary to perform duties in an efficient, organized, and timely manner.
• Participate in Student Academic Services signature programs, events, and activities, including but not limited to: Orientation, New Student Convocation, finals week proctoring, Undergraduate Admission open houses, and student celebrations.
• Performs other duties as required.

Minimum Education and/or Work Experience

Graduate degree in a relevant field and a minimum of 10 years of management or administrative experience, at least five of which were spent in 504/ADA compliance in an institution of higher education.