Assistant Director, Student Disability Services

Department
 

CSL Student Disability Services Administration

About the Department
 

Student Disability Services (SDS) is located within Campus and Student Life. SDS is responsible for engaging in an interactive process with students to determine their eligibility for reasonable accommodations under the Rehabilitation Act Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Amendment Act. The SDS team is committed to advancing disability inclusion in all aspects of campus life through the implementation of supports, services, and auxiliary aids. The SDS team serves more than 10% of the UChicago student body, ensuring students have access to the outstanding programs and services that the university offers.

Job Summary
 

Reporting to the Deputy Director of SDS, the Assistant Director works in a leadership role on the SDS team to collaboratively manage disability access for College, Graduate and Professional students with disabilities. The Assistant Director liaises with medical consultants, IT services, University Library Systems, College Housing, Facilities Services, Parking and Transportation, College Programming Office, Environmental Health & Safety and University of Chicago Police Department, vendors, area deans of students, disability liaisons, faculty, other academic appointees, and other administrators. This is a 12-month, full-time position; weekend and evening hours may be required.

Responsibilities

• Meet with students about their access needs; Reviews supporting documentation provided by students, including medical, educational, and/or psychological assessments. 

• Makes determinations of whether or what reasonable accommodations are needed in accordance with the ADA, Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, ADAA, state and local disability regulations, the Fair Housing Act, relevant case law and legal guidance, and University policies and procedures.

• Manage a caseload of college, graduate, and professional students with disabilities; Performs a broad range of duties related to the case management of students’ requests for disability services and the implementation of reasonable accommodations and refers students for other appropriate services.

• Document communication and events by writing and filing case notes; uses office database (AIM) to maintain and securely store student records in addition to 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.

• Advise students of their rights and responsibilities under federal disability laws.

• Oversees the provision of auxiliary aids and services; generates creative and practical solutions to address current and emerging needs; and provides students with resources related to disability issues and accommodation needs.

• May assist the Director(s) and/or Access Coordinators with the administration of access services.

• Engages with faculty and staff via the interactive process to ensure adequate knowledge of their roles in accommodating students.

• Responds to student, parent, faculty and community member questions regarding disability services by phone, Zoom or email.

• Participates with the SDS leadership team in advancing a social justice perspective of disability access on campus.

• Assists with the development of policies and procedures which reflect best practices and/or industry standards.

• Participates in local and national disability organizations such as the Coalition for Disability Access in Health Sciences and Medical Education, the Association on Higher Education and Disability, and the Ivy+ Disability Group.

• Stays abreast of current research in the field by reviewing publications, journals, technical information, etc.

• Coordinates department or clinic compliance with a moderate level of guidance.

• Prepares, completes, and submits all compliance documentation on a routine basis. Coordinates compliance committee meetings.

• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

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Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

•  Master's degree in education, disability services, rehabilitation, counseling or a related field.<