ADA/504 Coordinator

Santa Clara University • Santa Clara, CA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

This position is designated to serve as the ADA/504 Coordinator for the University and its affiliates where the University has an employment or program interest. The ADA/504 Coordinator serves as the institution’s primary compliance officer for disability access under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and related state and federal laws. This position reports to the Vice President for Inclusive Excellence. The primary purpose of this position is to ensure that the appropriate policies, processes, and resources are in place across the University and its affiliates to support full accessibility and equitable accommodation in all university information, services, programs, and activities. This includes monitoring and oversight of accessibility related to physical environments, technologies, web pages, learning management systems, employment practices, and programmatic access. The role ensures institutional compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”), the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act of 2008 (“ADAAA”), Sections 503, 504, and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, Access Board Standards, the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), and relevant California state laws, including those under the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), Cal. Gov. Code § 12900 et seq., and Title 2 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR) §§ 11065–11098. As the University’s primary authority on accessibility, the ADA/504 Coordinator develops and implements education and training programs, tracks compliance data, prepares institutional reports, leads accessibility workgroups, participates on university committees, and advises leadership on systemic accessibility improvements and risk management strategies.

Requirements

• Comprehensive understanding of the ADA, ADAAA, Sections 503, 504, and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, and relevant California FEHA provisions.
• Knowledge of higher education organizational structures, program delivery, and shared governance systems.
• Familiarity with digital accessibility standards (WCAG) and universal design principles.
• Familiarity with technical or professional conduct standards for a variety of technical and professional academic programs (including social work, law, education, and health professional programs)
• Familiarity with department of labor standards for workplace essential functions, specifically within the industry of post-secondary institutions
• Knowledge of best practices in case management, policy implementation, and systemic compliance assessment.
• Strong analytical and investigative skills, particularly in fundamental alteration and essential function analyses.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills with diverse stakeholder groups.
• Strong writing and policy drafting abilities.
• Skill in developing and leading effective training programs.
• Proficiency in data analysis, tracking systems, and compliance documentation.
• Ability to build trust and maintain confidentiality in complex and sensitive matters
• Exercise sound judgment and discretion in managing sensitive compliance issues.
• Interpret, apply, and communicate complex legal and regulatory concepts clearly.
• Build effective relationships and collaborate across academic, administrative, and operational units.
• Balance institutional compliance needs with a human-centered approach to access and inclusion.
• Lead projects and teams effectively in a dynamic university environment.
• Master’s degree in higher education administration, counseling, social work, public administration, law, or a closely related field required.
• Professional experience in a relevant role at a U.S. institution of higher education.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in accessibility, compliance, or disability services, or a combination of relevant experience and education
• Demonstrated experience leading or overseeing ADA/504 compliance programs, including policy development and grievance resolution.
• Familiarity with technical or professional conduct standards for professionally accredited and licensure-based academic programs (e.g., social work, education, health professions).
• Experience with Department of Labor standards and workplace essential function analyses.

Nice To Haves

• Supervisory experience preferred.
• Licensure as a counselor, social worker, psychologist, or Certified Rehabilitation Counselor preferred.
• Prior Executive Director-level experience in ADA/504 program administration or related compliance roles preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the University’s designated ADA/504 Coordinator, ensuring institutional compliance with all applicable federal and state disability access laws and regulations.
• Develop, implement, and maintain University-wide policies that support equal access to programs, services, and activities for individuals with disabilities.
• Ensure alignment and oversight of student and employee accommodation processes, maintaining consistency in standards across the Office of Accessible Education (OAE) and Human Resources ADA Team.
• Lead or coordinate institutional self-evaluations and transition plans required under federal and state law, including audits of facilities, technology, and programs for accessibility.
• Monitor and interpret updates in federal and state disability law and disseminate information to ensure institutional awareness and compliance readiness.
• Oversee the University’s ADA/504 grievance process, ensuring a clear, fair, and timely management for resolving disability-related complaints and appeals.
• Lead determinations involving fundamental alteration and essential function analyses, and recommend appropriate corrective or systemic actions.
• Maintain confidential grievance records, track outcomes, and identify patterns or systemic issues requiring policy or procedural changes.
• Provide expert consultation and guidance to senior leadership, deans, managers, and supervisors on ADA/504 compliance, accommodation disputes, and systemic accessibility improvements.
• Collaborate with key partners—including Facilities, IT, Procurement, HR, Academic Affairs, and Student Life—to proactively identify and remove digital, physical, and procedural barriers.
• Advise and assist units in integrating accessibility and universal design principles into institutional planning, facilities projects, and technology procurement.
• Partner with internal stakeholders and, as appropriate, support senior leadership in engagements with external agencies (e.g., Office for Civil Rights) on ADA/504 compliance matters and related investigations.
• Develop and deliver training for faculty, staff, and administrators on disability law, reasonable accommodation, digital accessibility, and inclusive practices.
• Create and distribute educational materials that clarify ADA/504 obligations and promote understanding of accessibility as part of institutional inclusion.
• Plan and implement awareness initiatives and educational events to advance a culture of accessibility and inclusion across the University.
• Collect, track, and analyze data regarding accommodation requests, grievances, and accessibility initiatives to identify systemic trends and compliance risks.
• Prepare annual and ad hoc reports on ADA/504 compliance, institutional progress, and identified risk areas for University leadership.
• Use findings from data analyses and grievance outcomes to recommend continuous improvements in accessibility practices, policy, and infrastructure.
• Represent the University on internal and external committees, task forces, and working groups focused on accessibility, compliance, belonging, equity, and inclusion.
• Build partnerships and maintain effective relationships with peer institutions, professional organizations, and agencies to enhance institutional practice and awareness.
• Perform other duties as assigned to ensure full institutional compliance with ADA/504 obligations and to promote a culture of access, equity, and inclusion.

Benefits

• comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees with programs and resources designed to promote and sustain personal health care, well-being, and the financial objectives of our employees and families.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees