Director of Disability Services

Metropolitan State University of Denver•Denver, CO

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Disability Services oversees the Access Center and institutional accessibility initiatives and provides strategic, operational, and compliance leadership for disability resources, access, and inclusive design at Metropolitan State University of Denver. Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Health & Well-being and sitting on the Student Engagement & Well-being leadership team, the Director is responsible for ensuring equitable access to all institutional programs, services, and activities for students with disabilities in accordance with federal and state law, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA). The Director leads a comprehensive Access Center that integrates accommodation services with a proactive, institution-wide approach to student accessibility, including universal design, digital accessibility, assistive technology, and inclusive pedagogy. The Director is accountable for advancing institutional accessibility, managing compliance and risk, leading staff and operations, and improving student access, persistence, and success outcomes. The Director serves as one of University's primary subject matter experts and institutional advisor on disability access, compliance, and inclusive practices, working collaboratively across Academic Affairs, Enrollment & Student Affairs, Information Technology, Facilities, and Auraria Campus partners. The Director will lead efforts for accessibility across campus in partnership with The Center for Teaching, Learning, and Design, Inclusive Higher Education Solutions, and the Office of Equal Opportunity.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
Five (5) years of experience in disability services within post-secondary education.
Experience interpreting and applying ADA and Section 504 requirements.
Experience administering disability accommodations and related support services.
Experience leading disability services or accessibility programs.
Three (3) years of direct supervisory experience.
Experience managing departmental budgets or financial resources.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in Higher Education, Counseling, Rehabilitation Counseling, Disability Studies, Education, Student Affairs, Social Work, Psychology, Public Administration, or a related field.
Experience with disability services management systems (e.g., AIM, Accommodate, ClockWork, or similar platforms).

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership for the development and implementation of a comprehensive, institution-wide approach to student disability accessibility that aligns with the University’s mission, values, and student success priorities.
Advance institutional efforts beyond accommodation delivery by proactively identifying and addressing systemic barriers through universal design, inclusive practices, and accessibility planning.
Serve as a primary institutional subject matter expert on student disability access, accessibility compliance, and inclusive design.
Advise University leadership on ADA, Section 504, and related legal and regulatory requirements, emerging issues, institutional risk, and best practices in delivery of student accessibility.
Collaborate with the Office of Equal Opportunity, General Counsel, Shared Governance leaders, Inclusive Higher Education Solutions, The Center for Teaching, Learning, and Design, Faculty Affairs, and campus partners to support policy development, resolve complex issues, and improve student accessibility practices and procedures.
Provide guidance related to legislative and regulatory developments impacting student accessibility and disability services.
Oversee the daily administration and delivery of Access Center programs and services, including the interactive process for determining and implementing reasonable accommodations, testing accommodations, assistive technology, alternative format materials, and related support services.
Establish and maintain consistent standards and procedures for documentation review, accommodation determinations, and service delivery.
Manage escalated student situations, including student grievances and complex accommodation cases requiring advanced judgment and institutional coordination.
Oversee the operational management of testing services, including scheduling, proctoring, and coordination of appropriate testing environments.
Ensure timely provision of accessible instructional materials and accommodations while balancing student access, institutional obligations, and operational effectiveness.
Provide direct supervision, leadership, coaching, and performance management for professional staff within the Access Center, including direct supervision of three professional staff members and indirect supervision of five staff members.
Foster a team culture grounded in accountability, inclusion, collaboration, continuous improvement, and professional development.
Oversee departmental operations, budget management, and allocation of financial and operational resources associated with approved accommodations and departmental services.
Support staff development, operational effectiveness, succession planning, and continuous process improvement efforts to ensure high-quality service delivery and organizational sustainability.
Develop and maintain collaborative partnerships across Academic Affairs, Enrollment & Student Affairs, Information Technology, Auraria Campus partners, and external stakeholders to advance accessibility and inclusive practices.
Participate in orientation, transition, and student success initiatives to support prospective, incoming, and current students with disabilities.
Develop outreach and marketing strategies that increase awareness, understanding, and utilization of Access Center services and resources across the campus community.
Support coordination of accessibility efforts related to student housing, instructional materials, and technology integration across campus systems.
Lead campus wide efforts in identifying barriers for students with disabilities to engage on campus.
Foster a sense of belonging for students with disabilities by focusing on creating an accessible campus and learning environment.
Develop and implement assessment strategies to evaluate program effectiveness, operational efficiency, student outcomes, and campus climate related to disability access and inclusion.
Collect, analyze, and interpret data to inform strategic planning, resource allocation, and continuous improvement efforts.
Prepare reports, recommendations, and institutional updates regarding Access Center operations, student trends, compliance considerations, and service outcomes.
Establish mechanisms for ongoing feedback from students and campus stakeholders to ensure services remain responsive, effective, and aligned with institutional needs and national best practices.