PROGRAM COORDINATOR, DISABILITY SERVICES

Unit/Project Description:
Student Accessibility Services (SAS) is part of the Student Affairs portfolio. SAS provides individualized services to students with disabilities with an integrated support structure, including the facilitation of academic accommodations, programming, and support services. SAS works closely with faculty and other stakeholders within the University.

Job Summary:
Responsible for overseeing and delivering continuing and/ or temporary disability related education and academic accommodations, holistic support, and supportive counselling services to students with a wide range of disabilities. Perform assessment of students’ needs for the purpose of implementing academic accommodations suitable for the learning environment. Assist with access to funding supports. Complies with institutional policies and procedures, provincial and federal regulatory and statutory requirements and demonstrates and applies principles of equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility.

Purpose and Key Functions:
* Provide on-going supportive counselling and advocacy supports to students with disabilities and refer students to appropriate holistic university and community support systems and services as necessary.
* Conduct individualized and in-depth accommodation-related assessments and interviews with current and prospective students, parents/ guardians, resource supports, etc.to determine the most appropriate academic accommodations required and the duration (i.e., a temporary accommodation or a continuing).
* Conduct intakes and regular re-assessments, to determine the academic, educational and other disability related needs of students and screen/ assess functional limitations related to temporary and permanent disabilities. Complete analyses and interpretation of evaluation data obtained regarding disability services within the University. 
* Respond to students’ crises, escalation of symptoms, emergencies and urgent situations to best meet student and University identified needs. Use professional judgment to respond to signs of psychological distress, including signs of suicide risk or suicide ideation.
* Develop, coordinate, implement and monitor appropriate individual disability-related (academic accommodation) education plans for students with disabilities.
* Using a strengths-based approach, counsel students on health issues related to their learning and the effects of their disability and provide them with learning strategies to support.
* Provide case management support to students requiring coordination of multiple services. Arrange, coordinate and schedule the provision of support services including, but not limited to, note takers, interpreters, captioners, and other appropriate resources. 
* Ensure, and follow-up as necessary, on individual student disability-related education plans and accommodations, to ensure equitable access is arranged for students.
* Regularly review and assess documentation (including medical / psychological documentation) from a variety of sources, as it relates to the determination of appropriate academic accommodations.
* Consult with health care providers or other university officials to assist the University in meeting its human rights obligations.
* Provide input into the design and delivery of all student accessibility services to students including, but not limited to, assistive technologies, learning strategies, transition, test and exam administration, clinical or practicum site accommodations, alternative format or captioning / describing audio-visual materials, etc.     
* Research and recommend alternative approaches and possible accommodation solutions as part of the duty to accommodate. 
* Work in collaboration with Faculty advisors, staff and other campus professionals regarding academic and disability-related services and needs of students. 
* Follow best practices, manage conflicts between university policies and student needs, deal with issues of disclosure, follow provincial and federal regulations, related to privacy / confidentiality and promote the need for atypical accommodation.
* Follow recommended guidelines, systems, prescribed and non-prescribed processes when supporting and documenting student interactions and accommodation plans.
* Participate as prescribed in Crisis Response situations as required by the University’s official crisis response plan.
* Develop and deliver presentations, seminars and workshops on campus to the University community to facilitate awareness of disability issues, attitudes, and provide coaching and advice. 
* As a subject matter expert, demonstrate understanding of various policies such as the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
* Recommend allocation of resources and support systems by academic and administrative departments/Faculties in the accommodation of students.
* Make referrals and/or recommendations for scholarship awards, internal and external bursaries, and other funding supports.  Collect and obtain quotes for bursary requests.
* Refer individuals to community resources for support and diagnosis of disability (in areas of cognitive impairment such as learning disability assessments, ADHD assessments, concussion and brain injury assessments, autism spectrum disorders, etc.). 
* Provide support to families on education and disability-related needs.
* Determine in consultation with students, parents and health care providers, to whom a referral should be made for psychological, neuro-psychological or psycho-educational testing and most appropriate type of testing.
* Consult with school board staff, teachers, and special education support staff with regard to post-secondary education for individuals with disabilities. 
* Consult with physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, social workers, counselors and health care practitioners regarding students’ needs and following, where appropriate, any prescribed recommended supports or accommodations
* Write and retain comprehensive case notes pertaining to client history, annual progress, accommodations and treatment plans. 
* Design forms and records to gather and maintain data to be used when determining appropriate student and departmental needs. 
* Research information related to disability, medication, access technology, specific psychological and psychiatric conditions and other disability related needs.
* Represent the department at University organized showcase or information fairs.
* Keep abreast of various types of psychological and psycho-educational assessment tools used to diagnose and recommend accommodations for students with psychological, cognitive and acquired brain injuries/disabilities, and understand the tools’ impacts.
* Understand all aspects of Faculty policies and academic program requirements at all levels, to determine and promote student academic accommodation needs.
* Remain current on disability related matters, service delivery models, theories of disability, accommodations, policies and best practice guidelines.

Supervision:
* Provides functional guidance to others on an ongoing basis.

Requirements:
* Masters degree in Occupational Therapy Education, Psychology or Counselling and/or a relevant disability related field such as rehabilitation services.
* Requires a minimum 3 years of relevant experience.

Assets:
The successful candidate will work with students who present with a range of disabilities, including, but not limited to, students with learning disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorders, acquired brain injuries, mental health disabilities, physical disabilities, chronic medical conditions, and students with sensory disabilities.
Responsibilities include meeting with students, discussing university and SAS policies and disability related procedures, review of relevant documentation, determining accommodation plans based upon relevant documentation and experience, assessment and consultation with Faculties, instructors, and other university officials.  The successful candidate will provide disability related supportive counseling and disability related academic support, in addition to other disability or student related needs that may have an impact upon a student’s academics or campus life.  

The successful candidate must have a proven track record of working with persons with disabilities including solid experience in working specifically with one or more of the groups mentioned above. A preference will be given to person’s who have completed a Master’s Degree in Social Work, Disability Studies or another human or health service related discipline. Specific training and experience in administering, interpreting and reporting on psycho?educational assessment data would be an asset.

Additional Information: 
Disability Services staff work closely together as a team and as part of the Student Affairs Unit in effective service delivery to students with disabilities. A sound understanding of university acumen is essential.