Accessibility and Accommodation Specialist

**Accessibility and Accommodation Specialist**

**Tracking Code: req1342**

**Faculty/Department**: Office of Student Life

**Number of Positions**:1

**Appointment Type**: Full-Time Continuing

**Hours of Work**: 35 hours per week

**Salary Range**:Level 9 - Starting Salary, Step 1 $78,033

**Posting Date**:October 4, 2024

**Closing Date**: October 17, 2024

**Job Summary**:
The Accessibility and Accommodation Specialist promotes the academic development of students with disabilities at Ontario Tech University, as mandated by the Accessibility of Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and Human Rights Code, ensuring equal access to Ontario Tech’s academic programs.

**Nature of work**:
Reporting to the Manager, Student Accessibility Services, the Specialist works with an ethno-culturally and academically diverse student population to provide comprehensive evaluation and case management of disability-related requests for accommodation advising, as well as academic coaching and learning strategy support to students with disabilities. The specialist works directly with faculty and staff to promote a fully integrated university experience by ensuring that students have the opportunity to access and participate in all areas of Student Life.
The Specialist also acts as a consultant on disability issues, and is responsible for developing and maintaining relationships of mutual support within other units and academic programs within the University.

**Responsibilities/accountabilities**:
1. Accommodation Intake and Implementation
Facilitates the intake and implementation of accommodation of disability-related student needs in compliance with the Ontario Human Rights Code by:

- Conducting intake interviews with students.
- Ensuring that appropriate documentation has been received.
- Reviewing confidential medical/psychological documentation from certified diagnosticians as a means to ascertain disability related accommodation need and/or based on student self-report, develop interim accommodations.
- Following up with medical professionals to clarify functional limitations or gather further information when required.
- Develop, recommend and implement accommodations and strategies based on the individualized needs of the student.
- Working with students and their instructors as appropriate to identify the essential requirements of courses, determining reasonable accommodations in accordance with established guidelines, and preparing notices of accommodation for students that outlines their proposed accommodation plan.
- Consulting with instructors, staff and campus service providers to explore alternative forms of academic accommodation for specific students to ensure that they have an equal opportunity for academic success.
- Maintains accurate and up-to-date notes on individual intakes and contacts (direct or indirect) for ongoing continuity of care and for legal purposes, should the need arise.
- Participating on internal student care teams as appropriate.

2. Individual Student Support/Coaching

Provides support to students with disabilities by coordinating their academic services in a manner that respects the dignity of students with disabilities and encourages integration and equality of opportunity consistent with applicable university policies and provincial legislation. This includes:

- Coaching students to identify their academic strengths and weaknesses, developing an individualized program to develop students’ academic, metacognitive and interpersonal skills, foster improved self-advocacy/self-awareness, and help them to take charge of their learning
- Developing learning strategies and providing case management support to students requiring the coordination of multiple services, by liaising with departments and faculty at Ontario Tech University
- Initiating referrals to on-campus or community-based supports, while ensuring privacy and confidentiality are maintained as required by FIPPA
- Assisting the students in self-monitoring the effectiveness of accommodations; seek updated medical documentation, evaluate and modify existing accommodations as required.

3. Student Development Programming

Contributes to the development and delivery of programming for students with disabilities that is grounded in theory and research, and designed to address their unique learning and development needs. This includes:

- Developing and delivering student development programming for students with disabilities, including transition programs, skills development workshops, and collaborating with other units to develop programming (i.e. career development)
- Developing resources for students to support their retention and success including printed materials, multi-media presentations, online learning activities, tutorials and videos
- Collaborating with faculty and various units (i.e. Teaching and Learning Centre, University Secretariat and General Counsel's Office) to develop information sessions, workshops, trai