Senior Director, Office of Student Disability Support

American University•Washington, DC

7h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Director in the Office of Student Disability Support oversees the provision of disability services for all students at American University, including undergraduate, graduate, law school, and non-degree students. This role is responsible for overseeing services and accommodations for students with disabilities in compliance with 504/ADA/Fair Housing Act regulations, which supports student recruitment and retention strategies. The Senior Director provides overarching guidance to comprehensive student disability support and advocates for universal design principles to facilitate equitable access across the student experience. The position involves regular collaboration with various campus partners, including the Dean of Student’s Office, Office of Campus Life, Office of Inclusive Excellence, Office of Student Affairs at WCL, Title IX & Equity Office, Housing & Residential Life, Dining & One Card, Counseling Center, and all academic advising units and departments. This role operates under minimal supervision, requires sound judgment, and serves as the lead student disability and student accommodations expert at the University.

Requirements

Master's degree
8 - 10 years of relevant experience
8 - 10 years experience in disability support programs and with ADA/504/Fair Housing Act compliance
Experience reviewing disability documentation and providing disability accommodations at the postsecondary level
Demonstrated expertise in accommodating students with disabilities, as well as in academic skill development and counseling
Demonstrated public speaking ability and excellent verbal and written communication skills
Previous supervisory experience
Knowledge of developmental issues for college students and adults in postsecondary settings, transition and retention factors, mental health issues that affect college students, and diagnostic procedures for learning disabilities and ADHD

Nice To Haves

10+ years of relevant experience

Responsibilities

Represent the office on student issues related to disability support.
Lead the collection and organization of data using the office’s case management system.
Develop and revise office procedures related to accommodation provision.
Work with Associate and Assistant Directors and other leaders to monitor classroom accommodations, housing and dining accommodations, assistive technology, and test and note-taking accommodations.
Collaborate with the Coordinator, Learning Services Program, to review program applications and to oversee the budget for the program.
Provide oversight of front desk and administrative functions supporting disability functions, including hiring, training, and supervising student assistants, through the supervision of office staff.
Ensure confidentiality of files and data.
Consult with faculty members, advisors, and administrators on issues of 504/ADA/Fair Housing Act compliance for students with disabilities.
Consult with health professionals in the Counseling Center, the Student Health Center, and in the community.
Draft internal and university-wide policies relevant to disability compliance; consult on the effects of university policies and procedures on students with disabilities.
Consult with General Counsel on high-level accommodation decisions and support the University in legal matters pertaining to student accommodations.
Consult with Employee Relations to work towards consistency in accommodation decision-making.
Advocate for inclusive campus access in concert with university architect and risk management staff.
Advocate for increased use of universal design principles in instruction in collaboration with the Center for Faculty Excellence and individual faculty.
Hire, train, onboard, and manage staff.
Provide ongoing feedback, coaching, mentoring, and evaluating performance.
Identify and encourage participation in professional development and skill building opportunities for staff related to disability support.
Conduct team meetings and individual supervision meetings.
Ensure consistency between main campus and WCL disability operations.
Act as decision maker with the most complex student cases regarding disability, including, but not limited to, accommodations related to Title IX and Student Conduct investigations and students with multiple complex disability profiles.
Responsible for reviewing student Accommodation Reconsideration requests using ADA/504/Fair Housing Act regulations.
Consult with relevant University offices/colleagues to determine accommodation reasonability.
Stay abreast of disability trends and changing regulations.
Participate in relevant professional development and provide Disability Team with new guidance/updates.