Senior Disability Access Services Specialist

Whitman College • Walla Walla, WA

21h • Onsite

About The Position

Whitman College is seeking a Senior Disability Access Services (DAS) Specialist to advise, counsel, and help students with disabilities become more effective learners. This role is crucial in reducing barriers and ensuring equitable access to academic programs and resources for students with disabilities. The Senior DAS Specialist will lead the day-to-day operations of DAS, ensure ADA compliance, and serve as a welcoming on-campus presence for students seeking accommodations. The position also involves communicating with faculty and staff regarding Disability Access Services.

Requirements

• Understanding of and commitment to maintaining confidentiality.
• Knowledge and understanding of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the ADA, and other pertinent federal and state laws for accessible higher education.
• Commitment to cultivating a culture of equity, inclusion, belonging, and opportunity.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in determining when accommodation concerns can be resolved independently and when they require escalation or consultation.
• Experience with, or strong interest in, working with neurodiverse students.
• Knowledge of reading disability documentation and coordinating appropriate accommodations.
• Knowledge of assistive technology and alternative format textbooks.
• Excellent listening and communication skills.
• Ability to work well as part of a team.
• Ability to interact constructively and positively with faculty and staff in other campus offices.
• A Bachelor’s degree in a field relating to higher education, counseling, student personnel, or related field.
• Experience supporting and mentoring diverse college students in an educational setting, preferably a rigorous academic environment in higher education.
• 3+ years of experience providing direct academic support and advising services to students with disabilities and students from diverse backgrounds, OR a combination of relevant education, training, and experience.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with people with concussions.
• Familiarity with UDL (Universal Design for Learning).
• Background in mental health support.
• A Master’s degree in a field relating to higher education, counseling, or student personnel.

Responsibilities

• Meet with current students seeking accommodations, guiding them through the process of applying, renewing, or modifying requests, including intake meetings, documentation evaluation, and implementation of accommodations and assistive technology.
• Meet with prospective students and families to arrange disability support services, evaluate documentation, identify and implement accommodations, and provide assistive technology support.
• Adhere to DAS protocols for documentation, upload, and recording of interactions in the Accommodate system.
• Ensure accommodation decisions comply with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act.
• Maintain awareness of and fulfill responsibilities related to Title IX, Clery, and other compliance requirements.
• Coordinate the acquisition and accuracy of alternative format texts, ensuring readability and audibility.
• Collaborate with the Director of DAS to coordinate, maintain, and troubleshoot assistive technology inventory and train students on its use.
• Exercise sound judgment in resolving accommodation concerns and escalating when necessary.
• Serve as the campus liaison and point of contact for DAS, especially for complex cases.
• Convene case consultation meetings.
• Be an on-campus and virtual resource for students.
• Collaborate with campus stakeholders to ensure program and service accessibility.
• Serve as a trusted resource for faculty, staff, and students regarding student accommodations.
• Participate in planning and presenting faculty and staff professional development on disabilities and disability student services.
• Advocate for disability awareness as part of DEIA inclusion efforts.
• Serve as DAS designee on CARE Team, Campus Accessibility Committee, Housing and Dietary Accommodations Team, and other groups.
• Provide support to the Testing Coordinator for accommodated testing, advising on accommodation application, academic integrity, and communication.
• Provide individualized academic coaching and mentoring for students with disabilities, with an emphasis on first-year students.
• Lead the day-to-day operations of DAS, ensuring responsiveness to student needs and alignment with institutional priorities.
• Develop and facilitate faculty and staff training.
• Implement research and assessment-based practices to improve service delivery and programming.
• Regularly review policies, procedures, and practices for improvement opportunities and recommend updates.
• Contribute to additional DAS projects and initiatives, adapting to evolving priorities.
• Engage in ongoing professional development to stay current on DAS best practices, compliance, and DEIA initiatives.

Benefits

• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurances
• Basic life, accidental death and dismemberment and long term disability insurances with the capability to elect additional voluntary coverage
• 403(b) Defined Contribution Retirement Plan with a matching contribution after eligibility requirements are met
• 20 accrued vacation days
• 12 accrued sick days
• 13 paid holidays
• Employee tuition waiver for two Whitman courses per semester
• Employee Assistance Program
• Relocation assistance for eligible employees

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior