Job Title:

Director of Student Accessibility Services

Posting Number:

20110367

Position Type:

Administration

Key Responsibilities :

The Director acts as a strong advocate for students with disabilities; serves as a campus expert on matters concerning disability and access in higher education; collaborates and regularly works with campus constituents and departments (i.e. students, faculty, and administrators) to develop and improve the accessibility and usability of the campus through the delivery of programs and services that reframe disability and promote inclusive design; and has responsibilities for the research, development, coordination, and implementation of strategic initiatives.

Some of the essential job functions of this position include: directing the department’s operations; budget creation and priority setting/analysis; managing and ensuring the provisions of accommodation implementation; overseeing the creation and maintenance of departmental database for confidential student files and for the use of student analytic data; develop in coordination with General Counsel, Provost and other appropriate campus leadership, University policies and procedures in accordance with Federal disability anti-discrimination laws and most current relevant developments regarding students with disabilities in higher education.

Areas of Responsibility

ASSESSMENTAND PROVISION OF REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS

• Evaluate, verify and interpret disabilities-related documentation from various professionals to develop reasonable accommodations under 504/ADA compliance.
• Determine documentation standards for students with disabilities in accordance with the Association of Higher Education and Disabilities (AHEAD) guidelines and as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA, 1990; ADAAA 2008) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and civil rights statutes.
• Maintain case files and confidential student records in accordance with Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and institutional policy.
• Provide ongoing assessment and implementation of campus compliance with 504/ADA requirements.
• Determine appropriate and necessary academic accommodations, emotional support animals, and housing accommodations based on documentation guidelines for individual student needs.
• Coordinate distribution of accommodation letters to students and faculty.
• Lead, implement, and support efforts to develop policies and programs around students with diagnosed disabilities, including but not limited to ADD/ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, anxiety/depression, physical and sensory disabilities, chronic illnesses and assorted learning disabilities.
• Meet individually with students in an interactive process to discuss current accommodations, assess need for reevaluation of accommodations, foster student self-advocacy, and improve communication with faculty/staff throughout the student’s academic enrollment.
• Coordinate services for students with temporary disabilities.
• When appropriate, refer students to needed evaluations through the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation.
  
  

ACADEMIC COACHING & ADVISING

• Meet with students affiliated with the office who need help with executive functioning skill development, are experiencing academic difficulties or are on academic probation, and/or who are seeking advising help around navigating college.
• Advise those students who request to oversee their academic schedules and help them set up a schedule conducive to their learning difference or to better accommodate their disability (in addition to their formal advisors) before registering for classes or when they are making modifications (dropping/adding) to their schedule.
  
  

ADMINISTRATION AND SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supervise the Testing and Accessibility Coordinator to ensure effective and appropriate implementation of testing and assistive technology accommodations.
• Determine budget acquisitions for assistive technology and other necessary support for implementing accommodations.
• Collect and track general demographic data on student clients for the purpose of directing and allocating resources appropriately.
• Develop case management of students that is both confidential and equally accessible for learning partners.
• Advocate on behalf of students with faculty and staff to ensure proper facilitation of academic, program, and housing accommodations.
• Provide trainings to enhance institutional understanding of the rights of students with disabilities and to facilitate and enhance the integration of students with disabilities into the college community.
• Develop, review and revise written policies and guidelines regarding procedures for determining and accessing reasonable accommodations and institutional rights and responsibilities with respect to service provision.
• Conduct program evaluations and review.
• Supervise the development and maintenance of our website and other office information.
• Supervise the Student Learning Differences Club and meet with student leaders regularly to help with their planning and managing of the club.
• Coordinate efforts around planning office sponsored or co-sponsored events such as Autism Acceptance Week (donor funded).
  
  

CAMPUS COLLABORATION AND PARTNERSHIPS

• Participate in campus-wide orientation and Admission/Enrollment programs (Admitted student day, First Look Fridays, Resource Fair) and meet with prospective students and families/caretakers.
• Collaborate with the Counseling Center, Dean of Students Office, Campus and Residential Life and other campus partners in meeting the needs of students with varied mental and health-related diagnoses and physical disabilities.
• Serve on campus-wide committees
• Engage faculty and instructors in ongoing professional development that advance inclusive pedagogy and UDL design elements into curricula. Partner thoughtfully with the Faculty Committees for Teaching and Learning, the library and learning commons, academic affairs administration and leadership, and faculty governance to gain buy-in and develop advocates. Present information and training for additional campus audiences on various topics related to disabilities and access.
• Foster a strong institutional commitment to inclusion, diversity and equity on disability issues and meaningful inclusion of students with disabilities in campus life.
  
  

COMMUNICATION WITH VARIOUS CONSTITUENTS

• Communicate with prospective students and families/caregivers for on-campus visits, phone calls, email correspondence, and at orientation.
• Communicate with students affiliated with the office for initial interactive in-take process for accommodations, accommodation letter, and renewal of accommodations each semester, as well as updates and reminders about finals.

Communicate with faculty about accommodation letters and updates to procedures/protocols and reminders about final schedules. Facilitate an interactive process with faculty around reasonable accommodation implementation.
Juniata College believes in and embraces the liberal arts and as such, we encourage and seek mutual benefit through diversity of thought and approach which enriches our academic community, as well as the lives of our students and colleagues. Juniata College is committed to creating a welcoming community supported by relationships based on collaboration and mutual respect. We endeavor to create an inclusive learning environment where members with different perspectives and backgrounds can learn, contribute, and thrive. Please join us…

Position Qualifications:

• Knowledge and capabilities normally acquired through a master’s degree in management, educational administration, counseling, and/or a related filed.
• Expertise in the interpretation and application of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA, 1990; ADAAA 2008), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and civil rights statutes as they pertain to student disability issues.
• Familiarity with the Association of Higher Education and Disabilities (AHEAD) and its practice guidelines.
• An understanding of and familiarity with assistive technologies and support systems, including: AIM, Pharos360, Capti, Glean and others.
• At least three to five years of related professional experience sufficient to demonstrate competency and capability with accessibility services, student counseling/advising, student services program design, implementation and evaluation, staff supervision, and budget preparation and management.
• Must work collaboratively and cooperatively with diverse individuals and groups including administrators, faculty, staff, students, and parents.
• Boundless energy and enthusiasm especially in terms of working with traditional-age undergraduates.
• Experience with, and a commitment to, the residential liberal arts experience.
• A collaborative, inclusive and transparent management style.
• Demonstrable evidence of innovative and progressive thinking which has effected positive change.
• A well-developed sense of humor.
• Juniata requires the successful completion of background checks.

Supervision Required/Given:

Reports directly to the Vice President of Student Life and Dean of Students. Serves as a member of the Health and Wellness team with frequent direction from the Senior Associate Dean for Health and Wellness. Receives general direction and guidance from supervisor, team lead and college counsel while working with independent discretion.

Open Date:

07/29/2021

Open Until Filled:

Yes