Accessibility Advisor

**ABOUT THE ROLE**:
Reporting to the Manager of Student Accessibility Services, the Accessibility Advisor position is critical in promoting accessible and inclusive learning environments at UCW. Accessibility Advisors are responsible for planning, implementing, and monitoring individualized academic accommodations and supports for a caseload of students with diverse needs to ensure UCW meets its legal duty to accommodate. As a member of Student Accessibility Services, the Accessibility Advisor collaborates with faculty, staff, and various university departments to implement approved accommodations in classrooms, exams, and other academic settings. The position also plays a key role in educating university faculty and staff on issues relating to accessibility. The accessibility advisor works one-on-one with students daily, conducts individualized assessments of students’ accessibility-related needs, and determines appropriate reasonable academic accommodations.

**DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**:
The Accessibility Advisor is responsible for the following as well as other related duties as assigned to support the business objectives and purpose of the University:

- Provide one-on-one support to students requiring academic accommodations to explore options that address students’ functional limitations while upholding bona fide academic essential requirements
- Assess student needs and identify alternative ways for students to participate in learning environments, determining reasonable and appropriate accommodations
- Develop and implement organizational change initiatives, policies, and procedures in regard to accessibility
- Manage the delivery of a comprehensive and integrated set of academic accommodations and accessibility-related services for all on-campus and online students
- Liaise with faculty members, Registrar’s Office and Academic Affairs staff, and librarians as required to ensure the effective implementation of individualized academic accommodation plans and negotiate on student’s behalf to determine essential academic requirements that may require non-standard accommodations
- Deliver workshops; support the development of resources for faculty and staff related to academic accommodations and accessibility options for students
- Adhere to existing procedures and processes
- Initiate and maintain effective relationships with multiple stakeholders on matters related to the students’ accessibility experience
- Analyze student feedback and provide input to current and future activities/workshops/information session
- Stay updated on accessibility laws, regulations, and best practices to enhance the level of service to students
- Prepare written reports as required and requested

**QUALIFICATIONS**:
**Competencies**:

- Understanding of federal and provincial policies, the duty to accommodate, legislation and trends concerning students with accessibility needs and post-secondary education
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, faculty, and internal and external service partners
- Familiarity with a variety of disabilities and assistive technologies
- Proven ability to design and implement organizational change initiatives
- Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion
- Excellent interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills
- Strong case management skills
- Knowledge of community resources for people with accessibility needs
- Adaptability and change management skills
- Demonstrated attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks and projects

**Education and Experience**:

- Successful completion of a relevant bachelor’s degree (e.g. disability studies, education, psychology, social work) is preferred
- Minimum three years experience in issues related to disability, universal design, and duty to accommodate in a post-secondary setting; or an equivalent combination of education and work experience
- Experience managing a complex caseload, including conducting structured interviews, keeping detailed, confidential notes, proactive management, and case conferencing
- Demonstrated competency with workplace technology (such as MS Office, data bases) and assistive technology (such as text-to-speech, and screen readers) and aptitude for learning new software
- Experience in coordinating and delivering training sessions or workshops is an asset

**Diversity and Inclusivity Statement**

The University recognizes that applicants may have had obligations outside of work that have negatively impacted their record of achievements (e.g., parental, elder care, and/or medical). You are not required to disclose these obligations in the hiring process. If you choose to do so, the University will ensure that these obligations do not negatively impact the assessment of your qualifications for the position.

**Land Acknowledgement**

The University acknowledges that the territories on which UCW and its campuses a