Student Accessibility Coordinator

Country: United States of America

Location: Fairfield, CT

Time Type: Full time

Posted On: August 2, 2024

Job Description:

BASIC FUNCTION:

Reporting to the Director of Accessibility, the Student Accessibility Coordinator is responsible for supporting and coordinating tasks that pertain to students with disabilities. Primary responsibilities include determining, coordinating and ensuring compliance with federally mandated accommodations and support services for students with disabilities through the interactive request process. The Student Accessibility Coordinator works collaboratively with the Office of Accessibility team to oversee student accommodations, including note-taking assistance, exam proctoring and flexibility accommodations. Further, the position requires working with students, faculty and staff, to ensure that appropriate Office policies, procedures, and processes are upheld and accommodations are implemented. This position serves as a resource for students, families of prospective students, faculty, and staff for issues related to student disability accommodations needed to provide equal access to academics and campus life.

UNUSUAL WORK CONDITIONS:

Some evening and weekend hours required.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL NEEDED:

Strong verbal and written communications skills are required, as well as excellent interpersonal skills, orientation to details, and computer proficiency. Experience working with vulnerable student populations and their parents/guardians. Knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the impact of these laws on accommodations for students with disabilities.

EDUCATION:

A minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education, Rehabilitation Counseling, Psychology, Higher Education Administration or related field is required. A Master-level degree in a related field is highly preferred; however, commensurate professional background/experience may be considered in lieu of the advanced degree.

EXPERIENCE:

A minimum of 1-3 years of direct experience working with students with physical, sensory, learning, psychological and/or other disabilities in a higher education, k-12 or clinical setting. The candidate should be knowledgeable of various disabilities and accommodations in higher education and best practices regarding implementing accommodations.

REPORTS TO:

Director of Accessibility, Office of Accessibility.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Reviews and interprets disability documentation and evaluations

Engages in the interactive request process with students with disabilities to formally approve academic and campus life accommodations

Manages campus life accommodation requests, including but not limited to, emotional support/assistance animal requests, housing accommodation requests, dining accommodation requests and other campus accommodation requests. Regularly engages and consults with Residence Life, Dining staff/ University nutritionist, and Public Safety/Parking Office.

Manage existing student cases, including meeting with students, ensuring all documentation is in place, providing necessary guidance and support regarding the implementation of the approved accommodations. Acts as an advocate for students when accommodations are recommended and/ or have not been implemented.

Engages with faculty and academic departments to navigate academic accommodations in specific courses or programs and continue the interactive process

Participate in Academic Affairs, Student Life and Office of Accessibility staff meetings, as well as represent the Office of Accessibility on various University committees when needed.

Design/Disseminate information on new policies and procedures for accessibility and accommodations; research best practices in disability support in higher education, including finding grant programs and identifying current research on the topic.

Train part-time staff, including work-study students and graduate assistants assigned to the Office of Accessibility.

Work with various offices throughout the University (via meetings, workshops and/or seminars) to: a) promote the mission and resources of the Office of Accessibility, b) provide knowledge/input related to the role of the Office through trainings, c) assist with evaluating student accessibility, d) discuss crisis management issues pertaining to student accessibility.

Assist with the implementation of various accommodations, including but not limited to, audio books and accessible course content, CART services, exam proctoring and implementation of alternative testing accommodations, notetaking assistance and flexibility accommodations

Serve on the University’s Case Management Committee

Represent the Office of Accessibility via courteous, efficient and professional behavior; uphold the utmost respect for student/family privacy and confidentiality.

Other duties as needed/assigned.

Category:
Academic - Admin

Performs such other duties, responsibilities, and activities as required by supervisor and as departmental/University needs indicate.


*Disclaimer

The above information indicates the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain and should not be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, activities, and/or qualifications required or expected of employees assigned to this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change and new ones may be assigned at any time, with or without notice.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a satisfactory background check.

Fairfield University provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
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