Disability Service Professional - Storrs and UConn School of Law

UConn Careers•Storrs, CT

About The Position

Under the general supervision of the Associate Director for the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) at the Storrs campus, the Disability Service Professional (DSP) engages in the interactive process with students requesting accommodations, their faculty and campus staff to determine if the student is considered a student with disability and, if so, reasonable and appropriate academic and residential accommodations. This position coordinates accommodations and services for students with permanent and/or temporary disabilities to ensure that all University and UConn School of Law programs, activities, and services are accessible. The successful candidate will work with a fair amount of independence, within the goals and objectives established by the CSD. The incumbent will be sensitive to and have an understanding of the diverse academic, socio-economic, and cultural backgrounds of UConn students and staff while establishing and maintaining a positive working relationship with constituents and colleagues. The DSP assists in ensuring that all University entities comply with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, and other relevant state and federal legislation. UConn embraces the diversity of all people for their unique lived experiences and creates a culture of belonging, integrity, kindness, justice, and wellness. UConn strives to cultivate an environment that promotes belonging and inclusion across cultures, identities, and abilities. The ideal candidate promotes equity and inclusion by demonstrating and supporting an understanding, sensitivity, and appreciation for social justice, cultural humility, and inclusiveness.

Requirements

Master's degree in special education, rehabilitation, or other related field and at least 4 years of experience working with students with disabilities in higher education OR Bachelor's degree in special education, rehabilitation, or other related field and at least 6 years of experience working with students with disabilities in higher education.
Demonstrated experience applying knowledge of the unique needs of individuals with disabilities, including knowledge of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and its amendments, and other relevant state and federal legislation.
Demonstrated experience to clearly and succinctly document engagement in the interactive process with students, parents/guardians, faculty, and staff as indicated in the case management system.
Demonstrated experience communicating effectively with groups with diverse backgrounds and experience (i.e., students, parents/guardians, colleagues).
Demonstrated experience working with diverse populations.
Demonstrated interpersonal skills necessary for effective work relationships.
Demonstrated understanding of and stated commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity issues.

Nice To Haves

Two to four years of experience working with students with disabilities in university graduate and/or professional school programs.
Demonstrated experience coordinating academic accommodations for students with disabilities.
Demonstrated experience in post-secondary disability service provision.
Experience in an academic School of Law system coordinating accommodations and knowledge of technical standards as they relate to academic accommodations and students with disabilities.
Demonstrated knowledge of high-stakes tests (i.e., GRE, MCAT, etc.) and the processes for receiving accommodations for a test through the testing agencies (i.e., ETS, AAMC, etc.).

Responsibilities

Manages an assigned caseload of students at both the Storrs campus and the UConn School of Law campus with permanent and/or temporary disabilities by engaging in the interactive process with students, faculty and staff as indicated.
Collects and interprets medical and educational documentation for assigned caseloads in order to make a determination of disability and to identify reasonable and appropriate accommodations on a course-by-course basis; determines appropriate and effective accommodations, which do not fundamentally alter the program of study.
Documents engagement through detailed notes in the interactive process with students, faculty and staff in the determination and coordination of accommodations in CSD’s database.
Collaborates with the Accommodations and Assistive Technology accommodation teams to ensure that approved academic accommodations are coordinated with students, faculty and staff. The coordination of accommodations may include: testing accommodations, provision of assistive technology and auxiliary aids, recruitment/hiring readers and/or scribes, alternate media, captioning, etc.
Oversees activities in collaboration with other departments to ensure equal opportunity for access to academic and co-curricular programs at UConn and the UConn School of Law for assigned students.
Makes recommendations to faculty, staff and departments regarding UConn and UConn School of Law’s academic and programmatic obligations under the law and University guidelines for students with disabilities; collaborates with appropriate campus constituents regarding scholastic probation, dismissal, extension of academic deadlines, readmission, withdrawal from the University, etc.
Serves as a liaison and a resource for students with disabilities; provides information to students regarding their legal rights and responsibilities; collaborates and consults with faculty and staff regarding academic accommodations, compliance with legal responsibilities, as well as instructional, programmatic and curriculum modifications.
Coordinates outreach to incoming and prospective students and their family members when indicated regarding accommodations and services offered; communicates information regarding program activities and services to the campus community.
Collaborates with program staff in the outreach and coordination of the enhanced services program, Beyond Access.
Conducts in-service training for campus faculty, staff and the administration to promote understanding and increase awareness of the needs and concerns of students with disabilities.
Interviews, hires, trains and supervises graduate students to coordinate accommodations; assigns tasks and sets work priorities; evaluates performance.
Collects and analyzes data regarding the caseload of students and accommodations coordination; prepares reports related to CSD services.
Contributes and assists with the development of resource materials and department publications related to students with disabilities; writes copy and contributes to the content of the CSD website and social media sites.
Represents the Center on various UConn and UConn School of Law committees to assure compliance with federal mandates; serves as a liaison for designated units to address issues of accessibility.
Maintains current knowledge of pertinent laws and regulations regarding access and services for students with disabilities and their applicability to the University and UConn School of Law; serves as a resource to the campus community in explaining such laws; responds to requests for interpretation of legal mandates on campus-specific issues.
Attends weekly case review meetings and staff meetings.
As needed, travels to UConn School of Law to meet with students, oversee accommodation provision and attend meetings, trainings, events, etc.
Performs related duties and special assignments as required.