Manager, Assistive Technology

University of Denver•Denver, CO

3d•Onsite

About The Position

At the University of Denver, Student Affairs is at the heart of the student journey—empowering every student to thrive academically, personally, and professionally. Rooted in DU’s signature 4D Experience, our division is committed to fostering holistic development through four dimensions: deepen intellect, develop wellbeing, discover character, and design careers and lives of purpose. Our work reaches far beyond the classroom. Through dynamic, high-impact programs, services, and experiences offered at both the Denver Campus and the Kennedy Mountain Campus, we foster inclusive communities, promote health and wellness, cultivate exploration, engagement, and leadership, and develop a deep sense of belonging. We are committed to creating a high-touch environment where students and participants connect meaningfully, grow confidently, and thrive personally and collectively. The Student Disability Services (SDS) is dedicated to providing students with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in the Universitys programs, courses and activities. SDS provides accommodations at no cost to any student who has a documented disability as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and other applicable laws. Accommodations are intended to mitigate the impact of a disability and afford students equitable access to participate in the Universitys programs, courses, and activities. The Manager of Assistive Technology position will oversee the Alternate Format Text (AFT) production and distribution process. This position is responsible for meeting the assistive technology (AT) needs of students with approved accommodations. The Manager will supervise student staff to oversee the day-to-day operations of the University’s alternate format text (AFT) program. The Manager is responsible for remediating scanned readings, creating alternate text for images, and teaching students how to use assistive technology (AT), such as text-to-speech (TTS) and computer screen readers. This position will set up any needed aids, AT services, and other related technological solutions in the classroom. This position will review requests for assistive technology accommodations and supporting disability documentation to render decisions on reasonable and appropriate accommodations. The Manager will serve as a liaison for all assistive technology needs between faculty and staff. The position will report to the Director of Student Disability Services.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in the field of education, information technology, assistive technology, or related field.
Demonstrated knowledge and experience working with assistive technology for students with disabilities in education.
Expertise in various assistive software technologies.
Knowledge of learning theories, instructional design, and Universal Design for Learning concepts.
0-2 years of professional experience.
Experience supervising, evaluating, and training staff.
Experience interpreting federal laws and regulations governing the provision of services to people with disabilities including the ADA and Sections and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Ability to remediate inaccessible instructional and assessment materials to provide equitable access for students with disabilities.
Working knowledge of accessibility features and standards within Adobe Acrobat and Windows and iOS operating systems.
Proficiency in the use of assistive technologies, including screen readers, speech to text software, Braille translation tools, and related hardware and software, including but not limited to Kurzweil, JAWS, Dragon Naturally Speaking, JamWorks, Braille translation software and devices, and assistive listening devices.
Strong analytical and problem solving skills, including the ability to troubleshoot hardware and software issues and develop effective accessibility solutions.
Ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally with students, faculty, staff, parents, and other professional partnerships.
Demonstrated ability to manage time effectively, meet strict deadlines, and respond promptly to multiple stakeholder requests.
Ability to analyze data, identify trends, and prepare reports to support decision making and program improvement.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team, with strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in the field of education, information technology, assistive technology, or related field preferred.
2-4 years professional experience preferred.
Master’s degree in related area and eight (8) years professional experience
Demonstrated ability to develop, implement, and assess new programs and services, and experience working in a dynamic and diverse setting.
Experience leading outreach strategies that connect students to academic, social, and wellness resources across the institution.
Strong analytical and assessment skills, including the ability to use data to inform decision-making, measure program effectiveness, and drive continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

Oversee the Alternate Format Text (AFT) production program for enrolled students, and oversee accuracy, quality, and timely delivery of materials.
Prepare and remediate exams according to approved accommodations.
Maintain comprehensive records of requests, production activities, and student communications, and routinely evaluate workflows to recommend process improvements.
Hire, train, supervise, and evaluate Alternate Format Production Assistants, including undergraduate, graduate, and intern employees.
Train staff to meet production standards, confidentiality requirements, and accessibility best practices.
Under the supervision of the Director, engage in the interactive process to implement reasonable assistive technology accommodations.
Review disability documentation, meet with students, conduct AT needs assessments, and process accommodation requests to determine appropriate tools for coursework and testing.
Maintain and support assistive technology used in the SDS Testing Center, computer labs, classrooms, and experiential learning environments in coordination with divisional IT and campus partners.
Manage procurement, inventory, and lifecycle replacement of assistive technology resources, and regularly update the SDS website to uphold accessibility standards.
Support students with sensory disabilities, such as Deaf/ hard of hearing or blind/low vision students.
Oversee the provision of sign language/CART accommodations for students with the approved accommodation.
Provide individual and group assistive technology training for students with disabilities, including those who are Deaf/hard of hearing or blind/low vision.
Develop and deliver AT training and guidance for faculty and staff to promote effective and accessible instructional practices.