Director of Disability Services

Otis Worldwide•Los Angeles, CA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Disability Services is responsible for providing overall strategic direction for the Disability Services program. This includes leading efforts to evaluate and update policies and procedures to ensure compliance with applicable laws, reflect best practices in the field, and promote equitable access for students with disabilities. The Director of Disability Services is also responsible for overseeing the delivery of services related to students requesting accommodations. The Director of Disability Services ensures that appropriate processes are in place to provide prompt and equitable resolution of student complaints and inquiries regarding compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations prohibiting disability-based discrimination. The Director of Disability Services works with every academic department and administrative office in a collaborative effort to arrange appropriate accommodations for students. The Director of Disability Services works closely with Human Resources and Development around specific accommodation requests related to student employment. The Director of Disability Services maintains records of student disability and accommodation issues and their resolutions, meets directly with students and families to review and process disability services requests, upholds best practices regarding the rights of persons with disabilities, and offers options for reasonable accommodations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in social work, counseling, psychology, rehabilitative education, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
A minimum of 5 years of experience in an academic setting in student development, case management, disability services and accommodations, and/or student personnel administration.
Excellent written and oral communication and interpersonal skills.
Knowledge of federal laws governing disability, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Demonstrated organizational, planning, strategic, relationship-building, and critical thinking skills.
Well-versed in state and federal regulations pertaining to managing student records and maintaining student rights, privacy, and safety (e.g., FERPA, Americans with Disabilities Act, Title IX, Campus Safety & Security Act, etc.).
Ability to communicate across different identities and lived experiences.

Responsibilities

Provide overall strategic direction for the Disability Services program.
Evaluate and update policies and procedures to ensure compliance with applicable laws, reflect best practices, and promote equitable access for students with disabilities.
Oversee the delivery of services for students requesting accommodations.
Ensure prompt and equitable resolution of student complaints and inquiries regarding compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.
Collaborate with academic departments and administrative offices to arrange appropriate accommodations for students.
Work with Human Resources and Development on accommodation requests related to student employment.
Maintain records of student disability and accommodation issues and their resolutions.
Meet directly with students and families to review and process disability services requests.
Uphold best practices regarding the rights of persons with disabilities and offer options for reasonable accommodations.
Build relationships with faculty, students, and staff to support their information needs.
Communicate and collaborate effectively with students, families, service providers, and other stakeholders.
Collaborate with other professionals, such as healthcare providers and educators, for a holistic approach to addressing clients' needs.
Build strong relationships with stakeholders to create a supportive network for students with disabilities.
Advise and provide instruction to faculty to ensure compliance within the classroom setting.
Collaborate with faculty regarding supporting students with accommodations and contributing to their faculty development goals.
Identify and secure resources for students and ensure access to necessary support services and accommodations.
Develop personalized plans to address specific goals and objectives for students registered for accommodations.
Assess overall services, student outcomes, and the delivery of services in relation to student success.
Maintain accurate documentation and comply with regulations.
Manage the accommodations process to support students with disabilities.
Develop communication plans and recordkeeping requirements for disability services, accommodations, policies, and demographics.
Train and develop faculty and staff on how to identify, support, and refer students of concern.
Assist in leading learning and development programs for staff and faculty on supporting students with disabilities, navigating the accommodations process, and understanding disability culture.
Advocate for individuals with disabilities.
Provide emotional support and guidance to help individuals navigate their challenges.
Attend conferences and trainings to remain compliant and up-to-date on state and federal laws.
Maintain current knowledge of the field of disability services and access on college campuses.
Perform other related duties as assigned.