Accessibility Advisor

University of Alberta; Edmonton; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Alberta is seeking an Accessibility Advisor to coordinate and facilitate accessibility-related support services for students with barriers to access in their education. This in-person role on North Campus Edmonton focuses on identifying needs and arranging reasonable accommodations in line with human rights legislation and university policy.

You will assess student needs, guide funding applications, refer for specialized assessments, and provide ongoing support.

Qualifications

• University degree and expertise in accessibility-related adult education issues.
• Understanding of the impact of a wide range of conditions and disabilities relative to accommodations and human rights legislation.
• Leadership: define goals and gain cooperation through collaboration, negotiation, de-escalation and conflict resolution.
• Extensive experience in working with people with disabilities.
• Understanding of physical and program barriers and remedies under policies and legislation.
• Knowledge of government programs and funding choices for people with disabilities.
• Excellent interpersonal communication, oral presentation, and writing skills.
• Excellent consultation skills to liaise with others in academic and community settings.
• Computer proficiency for word processing, funding, records upkeep, database access, and online research.

Responsibilities

• Operationalizes the University of Alberta’s Accommodation Policy and Procedure.
• Assesses individual student accessibility-related needs to ensure accessibility and accommodations.
• Guides students in applying for funding to cover accommodations costs.
• Refers students for specialized assessments to identify disabilities and provide proof of disability.
• Provides ongoing support to students when accessibility-related issues arise.

Skills

Accessibility expertise

Leadership

Disability experience

Policy understanding

Government funding knowledge

Interpersonal communication

Public speaking

Writing skills

Consultation skills

Education

University degree in accessibility-related studies

Tools

Database access

Word processing

Online research

Job description

About the Job

Location - This role is in-person. Work primarily takes place at North Campus, Edmonton.

The Accessibility Advisor reports to the Accommodations Advising, Manager in Accessibility & Accommodations (A&A). This position is responsible for coordinating and facilitating accessibility-related support services in accordance with the University’s mandate of accessibility under Human Rights Legislation and related University policies. The primary responsibility of this position is the identification of accessibility-related needs and the arrangement of appropriate accommodations that address the needs of students who experience barriers to their access of their post-secondary experience due to protected grounds. The overall goal/outcome of this position is to assist students in overcoming any accessibility-related barriers to access in their education, and to ensure that the provision of reasonable accommodations at the institution accomplishes that goal.

Responsibilities

• Operationalizes the University of Alberta’s Accommodation Policy and Accommodation Procedure for Students.
• Assesses individual student accessibility-related needs for the purpose of ensuring accessibility and the provision of reasonable accommodations.
• Guides students in making applications to appropriate funding sources to cover costs associated with the provision of accessibility-related services and technology.
• Refers students for specialized assessments to a variety of professionals to assist in identifying specific disabilities and providing proof of disability.
• Continues to provide ongoing support to students when accessibility-related issues arise.

Qualifications

• University degree and expertise in accessibility-related adult education issues.
• Understanding of the impact and interplay of a wide range of conditions and disabilities relative to reasonable accommodations, human rights legislation, program and physical accessibility, assistive technologies, and other accessibility-related issues on individuals in their roles as students.
• Leadership Skills: Ability to define goals and gain cooperation in meeting them through collaboration, negotiation, de-escalation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Extensive experience in working with people with disabilities.
• Understanding of physical and program barriers that can create access barriers for students and what policies and legislation support remedies to such barriers.
• Knowledge of government programs and funding choices for people with disabilities.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills, oral presentation, and writing skills.
• Excellent consultation skills required to successfully liaise with others in this academic environment, and in the broader community, involved in accommodating students to minimize access barriers.
• Computer proficiency required for word processing, student funding, records upkeep, database access, communication via e-mail, and on-line research.

This position is subject to all applicable terms and conditions of the collective agreement between the Governors of the University of Alberta and the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA).

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package.

About the Team

Student Success and Experience (formerly Office of the Dean of Students) holds student support at the heart of everything we do. We provide services focused on student well-being and flourishing both in the classroom and beyond. We offer a wide range of services, including career guidance, health and wellness resources, academic support, and assistance for students facing unexpected challenges or personal difficulties. We also work closely with faculty and staff across campus to ensure students receive coordinated support when they need it most.