Disability Specialist

Art Institute of Chicago•Chicago, IL

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Disability Specialist advances the mission of the Disability and Learning Resource Center (DLRC) by supporting equal and equitable access and full participation for students with registered disabilities. The position engages students in the interactive accommodation process, reviews disability-related documentation and student-reported information, determines reasonable academic and housing accommodations, and coordinates implementation in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Fair Housing Act (FHA), SAIC policies, and professional best practices. Working within SAIC’s distinctive art and design curriculum, the Disability Specialist partners with students, faculty, and campus colleagues to remove barriers to learning while supporting student self-advocacy, accessibility, and inclusive educational practices. The position also contributes to the effective operation and continuous improvement of DLRC services through accommodation management, assistive technology, accessible testing and materials, AIM case management, and service improvement initiatives. Grounded in the DLRC’s values of access and equity, collaboration, accountability, creativity, and integrity, the Disability Specialist helps foster a campus where all students can fully participate and thrive.

Requirements

BA (MA preferred) degree in Rehabilitation Counseling, Disability Studies, Higher Education, Education, Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or a related field.
Minimum of three years of progressively responsible professional experience in higher education disability services or accessibility services.
Equivalent training, education, and/or experience may be considered.
Experience working with art and design students or familiarity with studio-based, practice-based, performance-based, or critique-based pedagogy.
Experience evaluating disability-related housing accommodation requests and collaborating with Residence Life or comparable campus partners.
Experience supporting students through learning strategies, executive functioning, self-advocacy, assistive technology, and Universal Design for Learning principles within creative learning environments.
Experience using AIM or another disability services case management system.
Experience leading projects, committees, task forces, or process improvement initiatives.

Responsibilities

Engages students in an individualized, interactive accommodation process through intake meetings and ongoing consultation.
Review student self-report, disability documentation, functional impacts, and other relevant information to determine reasonable accommodations appropriate to an art and design curriculum, including studio modifications, critique adjustments, material safety accommodations, alternative formats for visual work, and other individualized accommodations.
Applies the ADA, ADAAA, Section 504, FHA, institutional policies, and professional standards to determine, coordinate, implement, and monitor academic and housing accommodations across classrooms, studios, fabrication facilities, residence halls, field experiences, and other institutional programs, activities, and services.
Provides individualized disability-related support that promotes self-advocacy and student success through learning strategies, executive functioning support, organization, time management, assistive and adaptive technologies, and referrals to appropriate campus resources.
Evaluates disability-related housing accommodation requests and collaborate with Residence Life and campus partners to coordinate and monitor approved accommodations.
Collaborates with faculty and campus partners to support accommodation implementation, understand course learning outcomes and studio practices, maintain essential academic and program requirements, and address questions related to disability access and potential fundamental alterations.
Serves as a disability and accessibility resource by providing consultation, education, and guidance that identifies barriers and advances accessible, inclusive, and equitable practices across academic, creative, and campus environments.
Coordinates disability-related services, including accommodated testing, note-taking support, accessible and alternative-format materials, assistive technology, accommodation communications, and other approved services.
Assess access needs and recommend appropriate assistive and adaptive technologies.
Utilizes AIM and other departmental systems to manage accommodation administration, documentation, communication, reporting, and confidential student records while contributing to assessment and continuous improvement of DLRC services.
Leads or participates in departmental committees, task forces, projects, and strategic initiatives through research, planning, implementation, stakeholder coordination, communication, and continuous improvement activities.
Collaborates with the Director, DLRC colleagues, faculty, and campus partners to advance departmental priorities, improve programs and service delivery, and support operational effectiveness.
Maintains current knowledge of disability law, fair housing law, accessibility, assistive technology, and emerging practices in higher education disability services through ongoing professional development.
Exercise sound professional judgment, maintain confidentiality, participate in departmental and institutional initiatives, and perform other related duties as assigned.