Part-Time Accessibility Specialist

Job Location: Springfield, MA

Position Type: Part Time Staff

Salary Range: $25.00 – $35.00 Hourly

Position Summary:

The Accessibility Specialist serves students with disabilities to secure access and to facilitate accommodations related to academics, testing, housing, and meal-plan accommodations. The Accessibility Specialist manages the SAS testing process and serves as one of the first points of contact for the Student Accessibility Services office. As part of a team, the Accessibility Specialists serve as a liaison to University Campus Partners and/or support and facilitate the service delivery system for the Student Accessibility Services (SAS). Responsibilities include:

• Coordinates SAS test management process with precision and attention to detail. Coordinates scheduling of accommodated testing. Supports the accommodated testing operations and proctoring. Coordinates testing locations, including room reservations for group testing rooms and private room testing. The AS serves as a proctor, monitoring the exam room for compliance with exam rules, distributing and collecting exam materials, and assisting with any issues that arise during the exam.
• Evaluates and interprets disability documentation and reviews student applications to affiliate with the Student Accessibility Services (SAS). Prepares for the initial interview and prepares summary notes as appropriate.
• Supports SAS database management, including running reports and data entry. The AS will also provide administrative support to the SAS/Professional Staff, including but not limited to inventory management and serving as the first point of contact for incoming students and families.
• Prepares a case notes summary of findings and recommendations after the interview, inputting these into the case management system database. Maintains confidentiality of records.

Purpose:

The Accessibility Specialist Accessibility is primarily responsible for supervising student exams both in person and virtually. The AS plays a key role in assisting the office of Student Accessibility Services, students, and faculty, with the process of coordinating exam management and serving as the point of contact for the SAS new student intake process, ensuring all required documentation is managed, reviewed, and placed in the data management systems. The Accessibility Specialist reviews new student documentation for completion, The AS will also provide administrative support to the SAS/Professional Staff, including but not limited to inventory management and assistive technology support.

Essential Job Functions:

1. Actively advance a culture of accessibility, inclusivity, disability rights & advocacy throughout the Western New England University community.
2. Communicate effectively and maintain positive, courteous, supportive, and professional working relationships with all levels of contacts.
3. Performs a variety of support duties in the development, implementation, and maintenance of administrative procedures and practices related to supporting the SAS office and students registered with SAS, including but not limited to administrative responsibilities such as processing new student files, answering phone calls, fielding inquiries, and maintaining office technology.
4. Review student disability documentation and registration information to ensure that all files are complete.
5. Schedule accommodated exams.
6. Communicate appropriate proctor scheduling needs.
7. Enforce exam rules and policies per faculty instructions. Enforce exam and SAS policies and procedures such as those regarding items allowed into a test center.
8. Maintain confidentiality and exam security. The proctor is entrusted with confidential information about exam takers and the exam materials.
9. Manage exam distribution and collection: Distribute, collect, and account for exam materials over the course of testing.
10. Supervise, monitor, manage, and provide direct oversight of the exam, from start to finish. Monitor exam takers during the exam to ensure they are not cheating, communicating with others, or engaging in other prohibited activities.
11. Instruct students in accordance with faculty exam guidance to utilize technology as needed.
12. Manages data entry and scans documents for student files.
13. Maintain case files and confidential student records through various databases.
14. Coordinate and implement accommodations related to textbook editing, alternate media, note-taking, and exams.
15. Maintain accurate records (student performance data, clerical responsibilities, etc.) to document accurate student information, reports, and assistive technology services
16. Coordinate Zone and parking accommodations as appropriate.
17. Participate in building program activities as appropriate to facilitate collaboration and ensure adherence to SAS policies and procedures.
18. Participate, as needed, as a member of the SAS team to develop, evaluate, and make recommendations based on individual student needs.
19. Participate in professional growth activities every year, including workshops, in-services, professional reading materials, and/or other available offerings at WNE, AHEAD, PTI, or other sources to increase professional knowledge.
20. Proficiently use technology to communicate, compile reports, and collect data to provide accurate records and communicate with team members, faculty, administration, and WNE. Provide diagnostic services for students referred through the SAS referral process to assess assistive technology needs.

Other Functions:

• Use professional skills for the evaluation, development, implementation, and monitoring of communication programming and assistive technology.
• Assume responsibility for continued professional growth.
• Assume other duties and special projects as assigned.
• Support SAS policy, SAS and governing goals and objectives, and expert understanding of ADA and Section 504.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Associate or bachelor’s degree required. A minimum of five years of relevant experience in supporting assistive technologies may be substituted for a degree.
  • Minimum Associate’s level of education is preferred.
  
  
• Experience with IEP, 504, or college-level accommodation plans is required.
• Specific skills related to the proficient use of assistive technology systems, computers, and electronic communication devices, as well as the ability to develop, implement, and monitor speech, language, and communication programming and support for individuals and groups, are required.
• Ability is required to independently problem-solve, schedule daily activities, model good communication, and communicate and work effectively with professional staff, students, and faculty.
• Ability to work collaboratively with team members, staff, students, faculty, and administration, managing time and schedules efficiently, using specialized equipment effectively, maintaining confidentiality, meeting deadlines and schedules, and making data-driven decisions for meaningful educational activities.

Working Environment:

• To perform the physically demanding job functions, strength and/or endurance for lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling are frequently required.
• To perform the most physically demanding job functions, the physical capabilities of climbing and balancing are seldom required. However, we may need to climb stairs daily.
• To perform the most physically demanding job functions, the physical body movement of stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling is often required.
• To perform the most physically demanding job functions, the upper extremity physical capabilities of reaching, handling, and/or fine motor dexterity are constantly required.
• Exposure to temperature extremes is seldom or not present.
• Exposure to hazardous conditions (e.g., mechanical, cuts, burns, infectious disease, high decibel noise, etc.) is seldom or not present.
• Frequency of exposure to injury to self and/or others is seldom or not present.

This is a part-time, 25-hour per week, in-person, 10-month position, with no availability for remote or hybrid work.