Associate Director of Accessibility

Simmons College Company•Boston, MA

3d•$51,800 - $82,700•Hybrid

About The Position

Located in Boston’s historic Fenway area, Simmons University has a strong tradition of empowering women and challenging traditional gender roles. Simmons was founded for equality 125 years ago as one of the first higher education institutions dedicated to helping women become leaders. Today, our university continues to grow and evolve and now offers Boston’s only women’s undergraduate program and graduate programs open to all. You’re joining our community at an especially exciting time as we continue to innovate for the future. Simmons recently launched a six-school academic structure that leverages our expert faculty and longstanding expertise in professions that make our communities stronger. In addition, we continue to highlight our high-value education proposition that is delivering greater ROI to students and putting them on the fast track to career growth and success. You’ll find that people who work here truly believe in our mission of preparing students to become social justice-oriented leaders who excel in their professions and their communities. This commitment and pride make for a dynamic workplace. As a university that values diversity, equity, and inclusion, Simmons encourages applications from all under-represented groups. Simmons is committed to creating, developing, promoting, and enhancing inclusive hiring practices–at all levels, for all positions–ensuring diverse talent pools and the delivery of a consistent positive candidate experience. Simmons is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to continuing to develop a more diverse faculty, staff, student body, and curriculum. The Associate Director of Accessibility plays a critical leadership role in ensuring equitable access for students with disabilities at Simmons University. This position oversees the daily operations of the Office of Accessibility Services, manages the accommodation intake and determination process for all Simmons students, and ensures institutional compliance with federal and state disability laws. The Associate Director supervises the Coordinator of Accessibility, serves as the primary institutional expert on accommodation implementation, and acts as a key liaison with faculty, staff, legal counsel, vendors, and external partners. This role requires a high level of professional judgment, collaboration, and operational oversight to support undergraduate, graduate, online, and on-campus students across the University.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in related field such as rehabilitation counseling, special education, disability studies, higher education, counseling, or psychology.
At least 3 years of relevant experience.
Demonstrated knowledge of ADA, Section 504, and best practices in postsecondary accessibility.
Experience with accommodation determination, case management, and faculty consultation.
Strong interpersonal, organizational, and written communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Masters or doctorate in higher education, counseling, or a related field.
Supervisory experience.
Experience using Accommodate (Symplicity) or similar accessibility management systems.
Experience coordinating exam accommodations and/or assistive technology services.
Experience working with graduate and online student populations.

Responsibilities

Accessibility Services Leadership & Operations Provide leadership for the daily operations of the Office of Accessibility Services, ensuring timely, consistent, and legally compliant delivery of accommodations.
Supervise and support the Coordinator of Accessibility, including training, case consultation, and workload management.
Serve as the primary administrator and institutional point person for Accommodate (Symplicity), including system configuration, workflows, troubleshooting, and communication with Symplicity operations representatives.
Develop, maintain, and revise internal processes, documentation standards, and accommodation workflows.
Intake, Determination, and Case Management Collaborate with the Coordinator of Accessibility to conduct intake meetings and determine reasonable accommodations for all Simmons students requesting services.
Exercise professional judgment in evaluating documentation and determining appropriate accommodations in accordance with ADA, Section 504, and institutional policy.
Ensure equitable and consistent application of accommodations across academic programs, modalities, and student populations.
Maintain accurate records and documentation within Accommodate and other institutional systems.
Faculty, Staff, and Campus Collaboration Serve as a primary resource for faculty regarding accommodation implementation, responding to questions and resolving concerns.
Consult with faculty and academic leadership when accommodations raise pedagogical, logistical, or implementation challenges.
Coordinate with Residence Life leadership to facilitate residential accommodations.
Partner with Facilities to address physical access needs across campus.
Collaborate with, but do not directly supervise, the Assistant Director of Exams to ensure effective implementation of exam-related accommodations.
Legal Compliance & Grievance Coordination Serve as a liaison with Simmons University legal counsel on disability-related concerns, grievances, and appeals.
Participate in the resolution of student grievances related to accessibility and accommodations.
Ensure institutional practices align with current legal standards and risk management considerations.
Assistive Technology, Vendors, and Financial Processes Coordinate the evaluation, procurement, and implementation of assistive technologies and services, including but not limited to screen readers, CART services, and note-taking technologies.
Manage relationships with external vendors and service providers.
Submit and track invoices, receipts, and purchasing documentation in accordance with university financial policies.
Notetaking and Academic Support Accommodations Oversee the coordination of notetakers as an accommodation, including recruitment, assignment, and troubleshooting.
Monitor the effectiveness and consistency of notetaking accommodations across courses.
Track and analyze data related to accommodation requests, service utilization, and exam center usage.
Prepare reports for institutional leadership related to trends, capacity, and student needs.
Use data to inform planning, staffing, and process improvements as demand for services continues to grow.
Data, Reporting, and Assessment Track and analyze data related to accommodation requests, service utilization, and exam center usage.
Prepare reports for institutional leadership related to trends, capacity, and student needs.
Use data to inform planning, staffing, and process improvements as demand for services continues to grow.