Assistant Director for Disability Support Services

Maryland Connect•University, FL

1d•$75,000 - $80,000

About The Position

This position works proactively to foster an inclusive and accessible experience for students with disabilities. The Assistant Director will assist the Director of Disability Support Services in ensuring that all university programs, services, and activities are accessible and in compliance with relevant federal and state laws, including the ADA/ADAAA, Section 504, and Section 508. Responsibilities include developing programs, training, and services, presenting workshops, researching best practices, collecting data for reporting, and participating in professional development. The role also involves assisting with hiring contractual employees, supervising scribes, collaborating with Residence Life on housing accommodations, and supporting special programs like Disability Awareness Month and student onboarding. Additionally, the position will collaborate with the federal Workforce Recruitment Program, build relationships with secondary schools and external agencies for student transition, review documentation, conduct intake interviews, mediate issues between students and faculty, determine appropriate assistive technology, advocate for equal access, and collaborate with other campus support services.

Requirements

Demonstrated education, training and /or knowledge of federal laws and regulations governing the provision of services for individuals with disabilities including the ADA and Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Demonstrated ability to review and interpret psychoeducational evaluations and other forms of supporting documentation provided to accompany requests for accommodations. This can be demonstrated through coursework, work experience, or a combination.
Experience with technology support tools

Nice To Haves

Master's Degree in Counseling, Higher Education Administration, Rehabilitation Counseling, Social Work.
Five years of professional work experience serving individuals with disabilities in a post-secondary educational setting.
Demonstrated experience in developing and providing training on ADA and section 504 in a post-secondary setting.

Responsibilities

Work proactively to foster an inclusive and accessible experience for students with disabilities.
Assist the Director of the Disability Support Services in ensuring that all the university’s programs, services, and activities are accessible and in compliance with the ADA/ADAAA, Section 504, Section 508, and all pertinent federal and state laws pertaining to disability.
Assist in the development of programs, training and services, present workshops on disabilities for faculty, staff, students, and external agencies.
Assist the Director with researching best practices, policies, and procedures in alignment with ADA guidelines; proactively develop systems and services to incorporate best practices for accommodation and services.
Assist the Director with data collection and development of the annual and other departmental reporting requirements.
Participate in professional development and training to keep current in disability services issues and concerns.
Assist the director in hiring contractual employees, to include but not limited to interpreters.
Provide training, supervision, and scheduling for scribes.
Assist director in collaborating with Residence Life to implement approved housing accommodation.
Assist with special programs to include but not limited to Disability Awareness Month (scheduled annually in October), Student Orientation & Onboarding activities.
Collaborate with federal Workforce Recruitment Program for students with disabilities.
Develop and maintain liaison with secondary school systems and external agencies that prepare students with the transition process to post-secondary.
Review documentation and conduct intake interviews to determine eligibility for services and provide appropriate accommodation.
Diffuse and mediate difficult issues between students, faculty, and external stakeholders or parents of students receiving services from the office.
Determine appropriate assistive technology and comparable training programs for students with disabilities.
Advocate to ensure equal access for students with disabilities.
Collaborate with support services on campus to ensure students have access to services such as counseling, tutoring, career services, veteran’s affairs, Title IX, etc.
Other related duties as assigned by Director of Disability Support Services.