Accessibility Advisor

Continuing Education at Conestoga College; Kitchener; Hybrid; CAD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Conestoga College is seeking an Accessibility Advisor to support students with disabilities within Student Success Services. The role involves reviewing documentation, developing accommodation plans, and guiding students through college policies in a hybrid on-campus and remote arrangement.

You will work with students, faculty, and staff to implement accommodations in line with Ontario laws, and travel to multiple campus locations as needed.

Qualifications

• Four-year bachelor’s degree in Disability Studies, Education, Psychology, Social Work, or a related field.
• Minimum of three years of experience in disability services in a post-secondary setting preferred.
• Working knowledge of the Ontario Human Rights Code, the AODA and related legislation.
• Initiative and creative thinking with ability to work collaboratively and independently.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; capable of facilitating workshops and presentations.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and electronic note-taking/database systems.
• Access to reliable transportation and ability to travel to multiple campus locations.

Responsibilities

• Collecting and evaluating documentation to establish eligibility for accommodations.
• Advising students on rights, responsibilities, and procedures for accessing accommodations.
• Developing and implementing Letters of Accommodation in line with policy and legislation.
• Supporting students to understand and apply recommendations from psycho-educational assessments.
• Collaborating with faculty to apply accommodation recommendations and resolve issues.
• Facilitating referrals and cross-functional teams to support student success.
• Maintaining confidential records and monitoring progress of accommodation plans.
• Developing information sessions and experiential workshops for students and families.
• Staying current in disability studies, adaptive technology, and student success practices.
• Travel to Conestoga campuses for information sessions and meetings as required.

Skills

Communication skills

Workshop facilitation

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Initiative & creativity

Technical literacy

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Disability Studies, Education, Psychology, Social Work, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Electronic note-taking systems

Database systems

Job description

Position Summary

Full-Time Support Staff, replacement position

Reporting to the Manager, Accessible Learning Services, the Accessibility Advisor works collaboratively as part of an interdisciplinary team within Student Success Services to support students with disabilities in achieving academic success. The Advisor facilitates academic accommodation and access to the learning environment by reviewing disability-related documentation, assessing the functional impact of disabilities on learning, and determining the College's duty to accommodate.

Working closely with students, faculty, and staff, the Advisor develops and documents accommodation plans, helps students navigate College policies and procedures, and provides guidance on appropriate accommodations.

Successful candidates will be required to conduct work within Ontario and must be available to work on campus as required. It is anticipated that this position will meet the needs of the department through a hybrid work arrangement Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with three days on-site at the Doon campus, located at 299 Doon Valley Dr. in Kitchener, and two days remote. Travel to other Conestoga campus locations for information sessions and student meetings will be required.

Responsibilities

• Collecting and evaluating documentation to establish eligibility for accommodations
• Advising students with disabilities of rights, responsibilities, and procedures involved in accessing academic accommodations
• In consultation with students, developing and implementing individualized Letters of Accommodation to ensure College policies and practices are consistent with the Ontario Human Rights Code and other relevant legislation
• Supporting students to understand and apply recommendations in psycho-educational, neuro-psychological and other assessments as needed
• Applying an appreciative inquiry approach to working individually with students in the development of a success plan that supports self-determination and considers adaptive technology and devices, academic supports, peer supports, case management, counselling, career and co-op supports, and other services offered by Conestoga
• Facilitating seamless referrals accordingly and initiating a cross-functional success team to support individual students as needed
• Monitoring and following up with the student’s application of the success plan
• Re-evaluating and adapting the plan with the student and relevant stakeholders as needed
• Executing a proactive communication plan to support new and returning students from admission to graduation
• Maintaining appropriate confidential records of direct and indirect contact with students and their support team
• Problem-solving academic accommodations with faculty
• Facilitating referrals to external community supports and services (e.g. transportation, housing, attendant care, community employment agencies)
• Supporting students in requests for OSAP bursary applications when eligible
• Developing strong relationships with school boards and community agencies to support student pathways into college and to strengthen transition supports
• Facilitating information sessions for prospective students and their support networks (e.g. families, high school resource teachers) regarding postsecondary opportunities, support services available, transition planning, and student success
• Developing and facilitating experiential workshops to support students with disabilities to transition into postsecondary education, develop and strengthen self-advocacy skills, and transition from theory courses into field placements and co-op employment experiences
• Actively supporting professional development for faculty, staff (including student leaders) on disability issues and the impact on learning
• Contributing to the planning and execution of departmental and college events such as College Fair, Open House, Discovery Day, Orientation, and PASS/STEPS
• Participating in relevant meetings and actively contributing to the success of the Accessibility Learning Services team, School Specialty Teams, and Student Success Services project teams and committees
• Staying current in the field of disability studies, adaptive technology, and student success and retention
• Researching and piloting new delivery models (including drop-in and virtual)

Qualifications

• Four-year bachelor’s degree in Disability Studies, Education, Psychology, Social Work, or a related field is required
• Minimum of three years of experience working in disability services supporting individuals with a wide range of disabilities and health conditions, including those with complex needs and multiple or episodic disabilities is required; experience in a post-secondary educational setting is preferred
• Working knowledge of the Ontario Human Rights Code, the AODA and other relevant legislation in the post-secondary context
• Displays a high degree of initiative and creative thinking skills with the ability to work collaboratively and independently
• Excellent communication skills, both in writing and verbally, as well as when facilitating workshops and presentations
• Applied knowledge of carrying out recommendations in psycho-educational and/or neuro-psychological assessments, medical reports, and other assessments
• Demonstrated knowledge of student development and adult learning & development theories, approaches and best practices
• Excellent judgment, analytical, reasoning, and problem-solving skills to assess documentation, particularly as it relates to an educational setting
• Proficiency with computer applications, including Microsoft Office Suite and electronic note-taking and database systems
• Access to reliable transportation and the ability to travel to multiple satellite campus locations