Access Coordinator
Northwestern University
Evanston, IL
Full-time
Education
Posted on June 6, 2023
Department:AccessibleNU
Salary/Grade:EXS/6
Job Summary:
The Access Coordinator is responsible for administering, assessing, and evaluating the academic service disability accommodations in AccessibleNU at Northwestern University. This Access Coordinator position will manage a caseload of students at the AccessibleNU Evanston Campus and on an as-needed basis at the Chicago campus. Daily functions include meeting with students with disabilities, reviewing documentation, evaluating requests for accommodations, collaborating with ANU staff, and coordinating with campus liaisons to provide reasonable and appropriate accommodations.
Reporting to the Associate Director of AccessibleNU Evanston under the Dean of Students office, the position serves as a campus expert on student related matters regarding accommodations, equal access, and disability. This role provides ongoing leadership to offer services and programs which advance the educational mission of the University and Division of Student Affairs including developing, recommending, and implementing policies and procedures that highlight disability as a form of diversity. This position also ensures compliance with federal, state, and local disability regulations.
Availability for alternative work arrangements to be considered in conjunction with business needs and Student Affairs/Dean of Students policies and guidelines.
About AccessibleNU:Using a social model of disability lens, AccessibleNU (ANU) is the unit that oversees implementation of academic and programmatic accommodations for students with disabilities. Through ANU, students can make arrangements for testing accommodations, books in alternate format, assistive technology, Sign Language interpreting, and other accommodations as determined appropriate through the interactive process. Learn more about AccessibleNU here:https://www.northwestern.edu/accessiblenu/
Vision:We will be full partners in the student learning experience.
Mission:AccessibleNU supports and empowers students with disabilities by collaborating with the Northwestern community to ensure equal access to fully participate in the academic learning environment.
Values:
- Creativity: Innovative and forward-thinking solutions to classroom and campus access that are informed by universal design
- Collaboration: Work proactively with our campus colleagues to serve as a resource that focuses on creating a welcoming, accessible environment in all aspects of university life
- Inclusivity: Partner with the Northwestern community to ensure equal access; inclusion for all is a shared responsibility
- Diversity: Disability is one of the many forms of identities that contributes to a thriving campus community
- Integrity: Representation of disability in dialogue and decision-making processes across the institution
- Student Learning: Using self-advocacy and self-determination skills, support students through their development as they learn to navigate college and beyond
Principal Accountabilities:
Accommodation Management (80%)
- Maintains a full caseload of students, evaluates requests for disability accommodations, and provides ongoing accommodation support for undergraduate, graduate, and professional students.
- Interprets disability documentation provided by students including medical, educational, and/or psychological assessments. Conducts intake interviews with students to gather additional information to determine reasonable accommodations.
- Ensures accommodation determinations align with the Americans with Disabilities Act (as amended), Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, state and local disability regulations, the Fair Housing Act, relevant caselaw and legal guidance, and University policies and procedures.
- Generates creative and practical solutions to address current and emerging needs, including accommodations for students in off-site placements such as clinical settings, internships, practicums, and experiential learning requirements.
- Uses office database (AIM) to maintain student files including: sending accommodation emails, maintaining confidential documentation, scheduling appointments, recording meetings and case notes, and documenting communications with students and university personnel regarding the accommodation process.
- Engages with faculty and staff via the interactive process to assist with implementation of complex accommodations (e.g. flexibility with attendance and deadlines, clinical arrangements, qualifying exam accommodations, adjustments to program requirements, etc.) while upholding essential course and programmatic requirements and/or technical standards.
- Provides support and facilitates conversations with faculty and students when accommodation issues arise.
- Participates in developing and implementing strategic planning goals, objectives, and assessments.
- Performs back-up functions such as front desk duties and test proctoring/coordinating.
- Assists the ANU Associate Director of Evanston with overall unit functional areas.
- Provides consultation services, information sessions to students and guardians, in-service trainings, workshops, events, orientations, and programming about disabilities to University constituents, local and state communities with respect to definitions, perspectives, implications, applications of professional research, disability as diversity, state and federal laws, and the transition to and from postsecondary education.
- Develop and disseminate educational/informational materials and presentations for faculty, staff, and students on the Chicago and Evanston campus to promote AccessibleNU services and the shared responsibility to appropriately accommodate students.
- Participates in or leads AccessibleNU or University based working groups, committees, events, or other division-wide activities.
- Attends and presents at local conferences, workshops, training sessions, and/or professional organizational meetings.
- Stays abreast of current research in the field by reviewing publications, journals, technical information, etc.
- Summarizes and synthesizes new information to exchange with colleagues either in a written or an oral manner.
- Anticipates future needs and trends of postsecondary disability issues.
- Bachelor's degree in higher education administration, rehabilitation counseling, social work, psychology, disability studies, or related field
- Minimum of one (1) year related experience in the postsecondary environment, working directly with students with various disabilities; similar experience with students outside the postsecondary setting and/or a combination of training and experience may be considered
- Knowledge of the ADAAA, Section 504, Section 508 and its application to accommodation determination
- Familiarity with the complexities of medical documentation and its alignment with accommodation determination, including the interpretation of test results such as the WAIS, Woodcock Johnson, and other diagnostics within the DSM-V.
- Demonstrated experience working effectively with diverse populations across race, class, gender, sexuality, age, religion, ability, etc.
- Ability to problem solve, collaborate, and negotiate in various situations
- Highly developed facilitations skills to foster a safe space for students to share accommodation needs
- Highly developed communication skills to foster collaborative partnerships with faculty
- Ability to exercise independent judgement related to the impact of the disability, how it relates to classroom access, and the legal aspects involved
- Ability to work both independently and in team settings
- Master's degree in higher education administration, rehabilitation counseling, social work, psychology, disability studies, or related field
- Prior work with undergraduate, graduate, professional, and online students with disabilities
- Proficiency with a range of assistive technologies and adaptive equipment and their application
- Demonstrated experience determining clinical and/or offsite accommodations using programmatic technical standards
- Proven conflict mediation skills
- Sensitivity to the changing needs of a diverse population
- Knowledge of learning styles and Universal Design for Learning
Work-Life and Wellness:Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles. We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us athttps://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.htmlto learn more.
Professional Growth & Development:Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us athttps://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.htmlto learn more.
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