Body:
Accessibility Advisor, Counseling and Accessibility Services
Required Position
Full-Time Appointment
Responsibilities
Reporting to the Manager of Counselling and Accessibility Services, the Accessibility Services Advisor develops, implements and supports academic accommodation planning for students with disabilities. The Accessibility Services Advisor works with students, faculty and staff to enable students with disabilities to attain their educational objectives. As a member of Laurentian’s Student Accessibility Services, the incumbent helps educate the university community regarding strategies to enable the full participation of students with disabilities in all aspects of university life.
- Review a wide range of documentation that supports the presence of a disability and the functional limitations related to that disability;
- Conduct intake interviews with students for accommodation planning. Integrate with student lived experience and knowledge of disability and strengths and limitations. Create an accommodation plan with students that provides appropriate accommodations for the academic setting and that addresses functional limitations. Modify the accommodation plan as necessary should the academic context of the functional limitations change;
- Support students through the accommodation process from registration to implementation. Provide information and strategies related to the process and direct support when needed. Guide students who are transitioning to university or adjusting to a new disability as they navigate the system and process;
- Facilitate student communication with instructors and respond to queries from students and instructors. Provide information on the interpretation and implementation of specific accommodations. Problem solve when questions arise and support both student and instructor in moving forward with the implementation of accommodations. Support students in advocating for themselves or advocate on their behalf;
- Facilitate the completion of the Bursary for Students with Disabilities as appropriate;
- Provide case management when there are needs that are more complex. Connect students to resources and liaise with other providers as appropriate to coordinate services. Attend meetings with departments to plan next steps and review;
- Provide back up coverage for assistive technology when required;
- Remain current on legislation, case law, OHRC policies and guidelines, research, and evolving changes in the field;
- Collaborate with campus partners to ensure the implementation of accommodation. This includes but is not limited to the Registrar Office, Laurentian Online, the Centre for Academic Excellence and the Faculty Units as necessary. Arrange adaptive and assistive technology equipment, physical access, alternate format, service animals and other accommodation related equipment or materials;
- Work actively with students, instructors and other as is necessary to determine if accommodations are in place and student's needs are met. Provide resolutions and options for ways to implement accommodations in the specific course/placement context and clarify process and purpose with both student and instructor. Support students in advocating for themselves or advocate on their behalf;
- Maintain appropriate documentation of interactions and actions taken. Maintains the confidentiality of all medically confidential or personal information associated with request for accommodations. Handle confidential and sensitive information, documentation, and files in a professional and appropriate manner (as ras required by FIPPA);
- Participate on relevant committees and meet with faculties, schools, departments or professors on topics specific to disability and accommodations. Present at meetings or to groups on accommodations processes;
- Connect students to resources and services at their request and provide resource information on disability related supports, services and programs both on campus and in the community;
- Provide back up coverage for the front desk when required; and
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Honors undergraduate degree (4 years) in a field related to disability (i.e Special Education, Social Work, Psychology, Rehabilitation or a related field). Preference will be given to the candidate who, in addition to meeting the minimum requirements, holds a Master's degree in a related field. Consideration may be given to an equivalent combination of education and experience;
- Three or more years experience working with students with disabilities in a post-secondary;
- Knowledge of learning strategies, adaptive/assistive technologies and other disability-related strategies and interventions;
- Knowledge of functional impairments and functional limitations and ability to assess those in an academic context;
- Proficiency with word-processing, and database applications (e.g., Microsoft Word, Outlook) and aptitude for computer-based information systems and internet-based tools;
- Sound knowledge of human rights legislation, accessibility standards, and other policies with a demonstrated ability to interpret and apply it to persons with disabilities, particularly in the postsecondary sector;
- Experience in successfully navigating and engaging with institutional systems, services and supports in a university environment would be considered an asset;
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to adapt communication style and response to meet the needs of students;
- Strong time management and organizational skills combined with an ability to work in a fast-paced setting with high-volume and interruptions;
- Support and promote equity, diversity and inclusion on campus;
- Excellent abilities to work collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team;
- Sound judgment with the ability to problem solve in highly stressful or sensitive situations;
- Ability to individualize responses and actions within a framework;
- Assesses work flow and student needs, and identifies opportunities for improvements to enhance services; and
- Ability to work fluently, oral and written, in both official languages (French/English) is required.
THIS POSITION IS DESIGNATED AS ONE THAT REQUIRES A DIFFERENT WORK WEEK AND/OR HOURS OF WORK. UPON 4 WEEKS' NOTICE, THE WORK WEEK AND/OR HOURS OF WORK MAY BE CHANGED. THIS MAY INCLUDE EVENINGS AND/OR WEEKEND SHIFTS.
The official University hours of operation shall be from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, during, and including, the months from September to April, and from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m Monday through Friday during and including May to August., amounting to thirty-three and three-quarter (33.75) hours per week.
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Applications will only be accepted through our online form.