Disability Access Coordinator

Socket.dev; Kelowna; On-site; CAD 48,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Okanagan College invites applications for a Disability Access Coordinator to coordinate academic accommodations for students with disabilities. You’ll assess needs, implement individualized plans, liaise with faculty and agencies, and advocate for accessible learning environments.

The role emphasizes self-advocacy, support referrals, and collaboration with campus staff. The position requires a Bachelor’s degree and at least two years of relevant experience in post-secondary or support settings,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related area is required.
• Minimum two years’ work experience in a post-secondary or support worker setting supporting students.
• Experience assisting persons with disabilities is required.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate academic accommodations for students with disabilities.
• Assess disability-related academic needs and develop individualized accommodation plans.
• Liaise with faculty, staff, government and community agencies to facilitate access.
• Advise students on barriers and strategies, linking to supports as needed.
• Collaborate with faculty to implement accommodation plans and inclusive teaching strategies.
• Assist in emergency planning and response for students with disabilities.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Problem solving

Organizational skills

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

When you join Okanagan College, you’re joining a team that’s transforming lives and communities.

Every course you create, every student you support and every connection you build, it all matters.

Be a part of a vibrant campus community, where the work you do every day truly makes a difference.

Desired Start Date: October 13, 2026

Position End Date: April 10, 2028

Salary range: $35.07 - $40.07

Bargaining Unit: BCGEU Support

Classification: Support Services Coordinator II

Type of appointment: Non-regular full-time

Closing date: September 20, 2026

Your Opportunity

Reporting to the Associate Director Student Services, the Disability Access Coordinator is responsible for coordinating academic accommodations and support for students with disabilities. The primary focus of this role is to assess students’ disability-related academic needs, develop and implement individualized accommodation plans, facilitate equitable access to the learning environment, and liaison and advocate with faculty, staff, government and community agencies.

The Disability Access Coordinator encourages self-advocacy and independent learning by assisting students in understanding their individual disability-related barriers, recommending strategies, and making referrals to other supports and resources as needed.

While the broader responsibility for campus-wide accessibility remains an institutional commitment, the Disability Access Coordinator collaborates with faculty, instructors and staff to implement academic accommodations and remove learning barriers. The role is integral to fulfilling the College’s duty to accommodate responsibilities under the BC Human Rights Code and other relevant legislation, while promoting an inclusive and supportive learning environment.

Functions and Duties

Academic Accommodation Coordination

1. Reviews and interprets medical documentation, psychoeducational assessments, and other disability-related reports to determine student eligibility for academic accommodations.
2. Provides guidance to students on obtaining appropriate documentation and liaises with medical professionals, psychologists, and other specialists to clarify or validate documentation as required.
3. Identifies disability-related academic barriers and determines appropriate accommodations and support services in collaboration with students and in accordance with human rights legislation, institutional policies, and best practices in the post-secondary sector.
4. Clearly communicates accommodation expectations to students, faculty, and staff to ensure proper implementation.
5. Facilitates access to and specialized training on assistive technology and adaptive equipment that directly supports students in their academic pursuits.
6. Maintains an inventory of adaptive equipment and ensures its appropriate distribution and use in academic settings.
7. Provides immediate support for students experiencing urgent disability-related academic or other unexpected barriers.

Referrals

1. Provides information and guidance to students on accessing community-based disability resources and external support services.
2. Refers students to other on-campus servicesas needed such as Learning/Success Centres, Library Services, Counselling, Academic Advising, and Financial Aid, to support their academic success.

Collaboration and Consultation

1. Collaborates with faculty and instructors to implement accommodation plans.
2. Provides guidance on inclusive teaching and learning strategies while maintaining academic integrity.
3. Assists in emergency planning and response efforts for students whose disability has the potential to manifest in acute physical distress.
4. Provides orientation and transition support for incoming students, including those transferring from high school or other institutions.
5. Acts as a resource on legal rights and institutional responsibilities regarding academic accommodations.
6. Advocates for improvements in academic accessibility, including curriculum design and classroom accommodations.
7. Participates in policy development and strategic planning related to academic accommodations and student services.
8. Contributes to discussions on institutional accessibility while maintaining the focus of the role on academic accommodations for students with disabilities.

Exam Accommodation Coordination

1. Determines and supports the implementation of exam accommodations, including extended time, assistive technology, alternative formats, and invigilation support.
2. Works with administrative staff and faculty to ensure accommodated exams are scheduled and administered properly.
3. Monitors and revises exam accommodation processes as needed to improve efficiency and accessibility.

Financial Aid Support

1. Provides information about and assists students to apply for financial aid and other study grants specifically designed for students with disabilities.
2. Recommends students for or facilitates access to institutionally administered financial aid as appropriate and ensures compliance with financial aid and study grant regulations, policies and procedures.

Record Keeping and Compliance

1. Maintains confidential records and detailed case notes in accordance with privacy legislation (e.g., FIPPA).
2. Tracks and reports on service utilization trends, identifying emerging academic accessibility needs to inform institutional planning and improvements.

Other Duties

1. Serves on institutional committees and working groups related to accessibility, equity, and student success.
2. Develops and delivers workshops, training sessions, and informational materials for faculty and staff (e.g., duty to accommodate under human rights legislation, best practices in supporting students with disabilities in academic settings, etc.).
3. Performs other related duties to support the inclusion and academic achievement of students with disabilities.

Education and Experience

A Bachelor’s Degree in a related area is required (e.g. Education, Social Work, Psychology). A minimum two years’ work experience in a post-secondary or support worker setting supporting students is required. Experience in assisting persons with disabilities is required.

Skills and Abilities

• Able to work effectively both independently and as part of a team with an aptitude for working in a collegial and collaborative environment.
• Well-developed interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills. Ability to create non-judgmental, welcoming service approach.
• Excellent organizational, administrative, and problem-solving skills with superior attention to detail and accuracy
• Excellent computer skills with proficiency using Microsoft Office.
• Able to establish and maintain positive working relationships with both internal and external contacts.
• Able to communicate effectively and diplomatically with a variety of external agencies.
• Able to effectively manage priorities and ensure quality service delivery.
• Must have strong organizational and problem-solving abilities.

Our Values

• Students first: Creating meaningful life-long educational opportunities of the highest quality for alumni, current, and future students is at the heart of everything we do.
• Community: We are one College. We enthusiastically embrace the opportunity to work with, learn from, and support everyone we encounter collaboratively and collegially.
• Respect: We welcome, embrace, and celebrate that which make us unique in creating an environment in which every individual is valued, affirming our commitment to human dignity for all.
• Courage: We are courageous in our actions in areas that contribute to positive change in our communities and beyond. We have the courage to be vulnerable. We are truthful, sincere, and act ethically with honesty and fairness.
• Relationships: We steward meaningful relationships built on a foundation of reciprocity. We are compassionate, empathic, and care for the holistic well-being of students, employees, community members, and the land.
• Distinction: We choose activities in which we can achieve excellence and positively impact society.

Okanagan College is committed to increasing the equitable and inclusive participation of marginalized people in all aspects of college life. We welcome and encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black People, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, people with disabilities and people with diverse gender identities or expressions. People with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, [e-mail].