Accessibility Counselor

Accessibility Counselor, Disability Support Services

Full-time, 10 month position

The Accessibility Counselor works with the Director of Disability Support Services and team to promote the full inclusion and equal access of students with disabilities. The Accessibility Counselor assists students with documented disabilities in requesting, planning and implementing academic accommodations and supports; counsels and advises students; and provides information, promotes accessibility and student advocacy across the college community. Responsible for managing a caseload of students with providing intake/needs assessment, academic planning, regular follow-ups, referrals and monitoring of progress toward graduation; providing study skills instruction in 1-1 and small group settings; developing and assisting with the assessment of existing activities and programs, and recommend and/or develop new activities.

General Responsibilities:

• Review and interpret disability-related documentation for all areas of disability; conduct intake interviews and meetings with prospective families and students; determine reasonable accommodations; maintain strict confidentiality and show professional discretion in all interactions; document interactions with prospective and registered students.

• Collaborate with various offices including Campus/Student Life, Counseling Services, TRIO, Health Services, and offices, as appropriate, to evaluate and determine appropriate accommodations for students with disabilities.

• Provide direct support services to which include academic coaching and training on assistive technology; monitor and track the progress of DSS students in support or retention efforts; respond to and resolve student and faculty concerns; make referrals as needed.

• Assist and support students requesting accommodations for extracurricular activities such as off-campus study, off-campus internships, student teaching, Greek life recruitment, etc.

• Assists with testing accommodation. Maintain focus and attention to detail while administering accommodated course exams and tests. Ensure student adherence to honor code and DSS testing protocols.

• Assist with developing and implementing disability/diversity based programming and materials for campus.

• Assist with analyzing disability related data for the improvement of departmental processes and procedures; assist in the development of DSS policies and procedural documents as needed.

• Assist with creating marketing materials, including but not limited to office bulletin boards, flyers, web content, DSS newsletter, and manage social media accounts.

• Assist with recruitment and hiring of DSS student workers. Assists with onboarding, training, supervision, and evaluation of the activities of office workers, peer educators, and peer navigators.

• Builds, fosters, and maintains intentional relationships with the college's departments and/or offices to ensure accurate dissemination of information, and coordination of academic student services

Academic/Advising Responsibilities:

• Serve as an advocate and resource for assigned students. Assists students in understanding and negotiating the academic rules and regulations that govern academic eligibility, progress, and successful degree completion.

• Directs purposeful discussion with students to identify academic strengths and challenges, gauge adjustment to academic and social life on campus, and provide advice regarding viable pathways that may lead to enhanced student success. Assists students in developing a success plan.

• Collaborates with the associate academic dean and departmental academic advisors to identify students whose behaviors align with early alerts. Act as a liaison between faculty, faculty advisors, and students to address issues as they arise.

• Serve as a resource for faculty as they determine how to best implement approved accommodations including support in program or curricular modification, universal instructional design, learning strategies, adaptive/assistive technology and equipment, material in alternative media, note-taking, testing and scribing.

• Assist with the development of reports, data analysis and assessment of students’ first year term by term engagement.

• Maintains awareness of current trends and best practices regarding student outreach and/or retention; assists with developing retention strategies, and works closely with college staff in implementing, evaluating, and improving retention strategies.

Student Life responsibilities:

• Review and analyze accommodation requests for co-curricular accommodations; speak with students requesting housing accommodations; and make recommendations to the College/Campus Life regarding housing accommodations.

• Meet with students, families, and staff to resolve issues related to housing and dining accommodations, accessibility concerns, information about specific disabilities, and the rights and responsibilities of these constituencies relative to the mandates of relevant laws.

• Provide consultation to college staff in Student Development, Dining Services, Human Resources and Facilities

• Work with and support Admissions on student outreach ensuring prospective students are informed of all accessibility services at the college.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in education/special education, higher education administration, college student personnel, counseling, social work, psychology, or related field.

• 3 years of work experience in vocational rehabilitation, counseling, social work, higher education, or related fields; and experience working with individuals with disabilities

• Understanding of disability support services

• A commitment to our mission of building a diverse and inclusive community and to the success of students of diverse backgrounds.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a related field

• 5 years of work experience in academic/educational settings or vocational rehabilitation, counseling, social work, or related field;

Application Procedure

To apply, please submit:

• A letter of interest outlining training, experience, and qualifications for the position as described above.

• A resume or curriculum vitae.

• Names and contact information of three confidential professional references.