Disability Specialist and Case Manager

Art Institute of Chicago•Chicago, IL

About The Position

For more than 150 years, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) has been a leader in educating the world’s most influential artists, designers and scholars. Located in downtown Chicago with a fine arts graduate program consistently ranking among the top four graduate fine arts programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, SAIC provides an interdisciplinary approach to art and design as well as world-class resources, including the Art Institute of Chicago Museum, on-campus galleries and state-of-the-art facilities. SAIC’s undergraduate, graduate and post-baccalaureate students have the freedom to take risks and create the bold ideas that transform Chicago and the world—as seen through notable alumni and faculty such as Michelle Grabner, David Sedaris, Elizabeth Murray, Richard Hunt, Georgia O’Keeffe, Cynthia Rowley, Nick Cave, and LeRoy Neiman. Position Summary The Disability Specialist & Case Manager (DSCM) provides integrated student support at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC). The DSCM facilitates equitable access to the school’s rigorous, critique-driven, interdisciplinary curriculum, blending studio practice with art history, theory, and critical thinking within the vibrant cultural hub of downtown Chicago. The DSCM assesses disability accommodation needs and coordinates individualized academic and campus supports. In parallel, the role delivers case management for students navigating the unique pressures of creative practice, time-intensive studio work, and a high-performance artistic environment. This position requires strong understanding of disability law, mental health care coordination, and the specific demands of an art and design education in higher education

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Counseling, Social Work, Rehabilitation Counseling, Higher Education, Psychology, or a related field required.
Experience in disability services, mental health case management, or related student support functions.
Working knowledge of ADA, ADAAA, Section 504, and best practices for accommodation in complex, hands-on learning environments.
Strong assessment skills related to mental health, risk factors, and care coordination.
Ability to collaborate effectively with students, faculty, and staff within an artistic and highly individualized educational community.
Excellent communication skills and the ability to maintain confidentiality and strong professional judgment in compliance with legal mandates and SAIC policies.
Licensure or license-eligibility (LPC, LCSW, LMHC, or related)

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Counseling, Social Work, Rehabilitation Counseling, Higher Education, Psychology, or a related field would be preferred.
Experience working with art and design students or familiarity with studio-based, practice-based, or critique-based pedagogy.
Knowledge of accessible studio practices, assistive or adaptive technologies for artists and designers, and digital accessibility standards in creative software.
Training in crisis intervention, trauma-informed care, behavioral assessment, and working with neurodiverse creative students.

Responsibilities

Conduct intake interviews and evaluate documentation to determine eligibility for disability-related accommodations appropriate to an art and design curriculum, including studio modifications, critique adjustments, material safety accommodations, and alternative formats for visual work.
Apply ADA, ADAAA, and Section 504 standards in making individualized accommodation decisions that align with course learning outcomes, studio safety protocols, and program competencies.
Develop, implement, and monitor accommodations across a range of learning environments: studios, fabrication labs, digital labs, darkrooms, performance spaces, and critique settings.
Coordinate operational processes including alternative testing, note-taking assistance, assistive technology, digital accessibility support, and accessible materials for art and design workflows.
Consult with faculty on accommodation implementation, accessible pedagogy, and universal design strategies for creative practice and studio-based instruction.
Develop, implement, and monitor accommodations within the three SAIC residence halls.
Support campus partners in addressing physical and digital accessibility challenges, including specialized equipment, shop access, and exhibition spaces.
Facilitate continuity of care for students returning from hospitalization or crisis interventions, ensuring coordinated communication among counseling staff, faculty, Student Affairs, and external providers.
Develop and manage individualized support plans, including referrals to campus counseling services or external clinical providers, safety planning, and follow-up care.
Coordinate support for students experiencing stress, burnout, creative block, perfectionism, identity-related themes in their work, or other concerns often reflected in artistic practice.
Participate in behavioral intervention or student support teams, providing informed insight into student mental health within a creative academic context.
Maintain complete, confidential case documentation in compliance with FERPA and relevant mental health care standards.