Brandeis University seeks to hire a Director of Student Accessibility Support (SAS). This person will be responsible for overseeing all student accessibility accommodations. They provide leadership in the development and implementation of services, initiatives, policies, and programming that ensure meaningful University access and dignity for qualified students with documented learning, perceptual, sensory, physical and psychological disabilities. The Director collaborates with multiple areas on campus, including faculty, Academic Services, Student Union, Health Center, Counseling Center, Registrar's Office, Public Safety, Facilities, Community Living, Communications, Library, ITS, General Counsel, and the Office of Equal Opportunity to determine appropriate accommodations and ensure equitable access for students with disabilities. The Director supervises and facilitates individual meetings with students, and actively promotes an agenda for accessibility, knowledge, and understanding of students with disabilities within the Brandeis community.
To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume/CV.
Key Responsibilities:
- The Director manages and supervises the Student Accessibility Support (SAS) unit, consisting of 5 other full-time staff members and a part-time staff member, numerous Graduate Assistants, and a large number of student workers. The Director carries a caseload of individual students and collaborates widely across the University with campus partners to provide student accommodations including transportation, accessible classrooms, housing accommodations, dietary accommodations, assistive technologies and accessible course materials. They supervise and guide staff members on appropriate intake and documentation procedures, managing accommodation requests, facilitating the interactive process, and determining the appropriate accommodations for graduate and undergraduate students. They oversee contracts with auxiliary service providers including captioners, ASL translators, note taking technology vendors, etc.
- The Director serves as the subject matter expert on implementing student accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) and the ADA Amendments Acts (ADAAA), Sections 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Fair Housing Act, OCR/DOJ letters, regulations, guidance, and relevant case rulings. They keep informed of best practices so as to alert and educate university administration of changes that will affect university practices and initiate conversation and collaboration within the Brandeis community to address these evolving needs, working closely with the ADA/Section 504 Coordinator and General Counsel. They respond strategically to shifts in number/type of disabilities as well as to evolving law, assessing need and proposing campus response and policy as necessary. They chair the Campus Accessibility Committee and lead campus-wide communication about accessibility policies, practices and protocols. They advise on accessibility-related facilities projects and oversee discretionary funding for small to medium scale facilities projects.
- The Director develops and provides training regarding campus disability services and specific needs of students with disabilities, with particular emphasis on training faculty in inclusive course design, effective implementation of academic accommodations, and notable trends. The Director shares information regarding best practices in accessibility by engaging in on-going professional development and sharing those best practices with staff and the greater Brandeis community.
- The Director oversees data collection and management for students registered with SAS and provides data and statistical reporting for the Office of Institutional Research upon request. They collaborate with the Office of Institutional Advancement in the proposal, implementation, reporting, and relationship with donors. The Director represents SAS in conversations with prospective students, guidance counselors, and evaluators. They represent SAS at Open Houses, professional meetings, and conferences.
Education, Work Experience, and Job Requirements:
Education: Required Masters' degree or higher in higher education, disabilities services or related field.
Work Experience: More than 5 years related work experience including 3-5 years supervisory experience.
Knowledge and skills for addressing specific learning, sensory, physical, and psychiatric disabilities in a competitive college environment.
Extensive knowledge of best practices in the field and of the legal landscape so as to make, articulate, and defend decisions and policies for Brandeis in a successful manner.
About us:
Students with disabilities make up an important part of our Brandeis community. Our diverse community includes students with a range of physical, sensory, psychological, medical and learning disabilities.
While appreciating the strengths and needs of all students, Student Accessibility Support seeks to promote the growth of undergraduate and graduate students through individual connections, campus-wide initiatives and collaboration with others in the Brandeis community.
To learn more about us, please visit out website at: Student Accessibility Support
Closing Statement
Brandeis University is committed to providing its students, faculty and staff with an environment conducive to learning and working and where all people are treated with respect and dignity. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, ethnicity, caste, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, including transgender identity, religion, disability, age, genetics, active military or veteran status and any other characteristics protected under applicable federal or Massachusetts law.
