Assistant Director for Student Disability Services - Disability Access Consultant

Cornell University•Ithaca, NY

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Student & Campus Life (SCL) inspires transformation in all Cornell students on their journey of individual, academic and personal evolution. Our division is comprised of leading student affairs experts who support our campus on pressing student life matters including public service, health, wellbeing, connection and belonging, residential living, food services, sports, recreation, career services, and student activities and organizations including sorority and fraternity life. We provide support and services to roughly 25,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students on multiple campuses in the U.S. and abroad. Cornell Health's more than 200 employees collaborate to provide integrated and culturally sensitive mental health, medical, health promotion, public health, student accommodations, and occupational medicine care and services. Dually focused on holistic health of Cornell students and well-being of the larger campus community, the unit supports readiness to learn, to participate fully in the Cornell experience, and to achieve academic, work, and life success. Cornell Health is nationally recognized for innovation and leadership, and is committed to an ongoing journey toward integrated, cost-effective, and community-based services and campus health initiatives. Student Disability Services (SDS) works in partnership with Cornell faculty, staff, and students to ensure that all aspects of student life are accessible, equitable, and inclusive of individuals with disabilities. SDS establishes and disseminates criteria for disability services, meets with students to discuss access needs, receives and stores confidential disability documentation to support a student's eligibility for disability services and accommodations, collaborates with faculty and staff regarding essential course and/or program requirements and appropriate reasonable accommodations. SDS provides campus leadership of diversity efforts that promote disability equity and inclusion. The Assistant Director, Disability Access Consultant receives applications for disability accommodations from students, and makes determinations of appropriate disability accommodations after hearing from the student and reviewing all supporting documentation (approximately 1,500 students/year). This process relies on their knowledge of disability laws and case law, which are used in conjunction with emerging best practices in the field. The role is responsible for ensuring appropriate accommodations are implemented and making arrangements for student accommodation access, which is critical to the mission of Student Disability Services and university compliance in this area. The Disability Access Consultant will use a Civil Rights for Social Justice model by engaging with the understanding of intersectionality and the students lived experience being a part of the interactive process. Success Factors: Passionate about creating Access instead of providing Accommodations for disabled students to participate in a university setting, with the understanding that determining accommodation is a part of the work but universal design for access is the goal. Demonstrated ability to communicate about disability identity and mental health to help communities become more welcoming to disabled students, and to collaborate with a variety of stakeholders through building and maintaining strong and trusting relationships. Exceptional interpersonal, communication, planning, reasoning, and organizational skills, with an ability to multi-task in a fast-paced, high-volume environment while being a team player. A strong commitment to disability justice principles in sensitive and high stakes situations, consistent with Student Disability Services practices in support of the University policies and procedures. While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others. Note : Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and 2 to 4 years relevant experience or equivalent combination
Superb interpersonal and communication skills (written and oral).
Familiarity with disability accommodations in higher education
Knowledge of federal and state disability laws (including case law)
Passionate about working with disabled student populations
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications
Ability to quickly learn new processes and software
Experience working directly with people from various socioeconomic backgrounds.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in disability services, accessibility, assistive technology, education, or related field
Prior experience working with disabled students in higher education
Prior experience determining disability accommodations in higher education
Knowledge of Cornell programs and services

Responsibilities

Receives applications for disability accommodations from students.
Makes determinations of appropriate disability accommodations after hearing from the student and reviewing all supporting documentation.
Ensures appropriate accommodations are implemented.
Makes arrangements for student accommodation access.
Uses a Civil Rights for Social Justice model by engaging with the understanding of intersectionality and the students lived experience being a part of the interactive process.
Communicates about disability identity and mental health to help communities become more welcoming to disabled students.
Collaborates with a variety of stakeholders through building and maintaining strong and trusting relationships.
Fosters a culture of belonging and a healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.