Associate Director of Disability Support Services

UM23 Bowie State University (BSU); United States; On-site; USD 85,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Prescription coverage

Life insurance

Paid time off

12 paid holidays per year

Tuition remission

Employer-funded pension

Job summary

Bowie State University seeks an Associate Director of Disability Support Services to lead compliance with accessibility laws and coordinate accommodations for students with disabilities. The role emphasizes strategic leadership and collaboration across campus to ensure equitable access to programs and activities.

The position requires a Master’s degree or higher and experience in planning, budget planning, and policy development for accessibility.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher in Social Work, Special Education, Counseling, Higher Education Administration, or a closely related field.

Responsibilities

• Provides leadership to Bowie State University in maintaining compliance with federal and state accessibility and disability laws and regulations by coordinating access for students with disabilities to all programs, services, and campus activities.
• Oversees accessibility accommodations and support services for students.
• Leads development and implementation of policies promoting accessibility and inclusion.

Skills

Leadership

Budget planning

Policy development

Communication

Staff supervision

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical thinking

Conflict resolution

Education

Master’s degree or higher in Social Work, Special Education, Counseling, Higher Education Administration, or related field

Job description

Associate Director of Disability Support Services

Job Posting ID: JR101953 | Department: Academic Affairs | Position Type: Regular | Open Date: 07-22-2026 | Salary: $85,000 - $90,000

Purpose

The Associate Director of Disability Support Services is responsible for ensuring institutional compliance with a broad range of state and federal accessibility and disability-related laws and regulations, including Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), and the Fair Housing Act. The Associate Director provides strategic leadership to advance equitable access, inclusive design, and accommodation services, ensuring that students with disabilities have full and equal access to university programs, services, and activities.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Provides leadership to Bowie State University in maintaining compliance with federal and state accessibility and disability laws and regulations by coordinating and ensuring access for students with disabilities to all academic programs, services, and campus activities.
• Provides administrative oversight for all accessibility accommodations and support services for students.
• Leads the development and implementation of policies, procedures, and practices that promote accessibility and inclusion across the institution.
• Hires, trains, supervises, and evaluates Disability Support Services staff.
• Collaborates with faculty, staff, and campus partners to ensure effective implementation of approved accommodations.
• Educates, assists, and provides guidance to the campus community on disability access, accessibility best practices, and inclusive design principles.
• Serves as a campus resource on assistive technologies and accessibility tools.
• Partners with Information Technology, procurement, and compliance offices to support institutional digital accessibility initiatives, including alignment with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) review and identification of systemic digital accessibility barriers, integration of accessibility considerations into procurement and implementation of digital tools, and providing input on the impact of digital accessibility barriers on students.
• Collaborates with the Digital Accessibility Compliance Manager (or equivalent role) to ensure coordination between accommodation services and system‑wide accessibility compliance efforts.
• Monitors trends, regulations, and best practices related to accessibility in higher education and makes recommendations for institutional improvement.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher in Social Work, Special Education, Counseling, Higher Education Administration, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience in planning and developing program goals and objectives.
• Experience applying budgetary and fiscal planning techniques within financial constraints.
• Ability to deliver effective presentations to diverse audiences.
• Experience working with individuals of diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, with attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and communication channels (phone, email, in‑person, etc.).
• Demonstrated skills in task management, conflict resolution, and mediation.
• Ability to analyze complex problems, identify solutions, and take appropriate action using sound judgment.
• Ability to maintain and enforce strict confidentiality related to sensitive and protected information.
• Knowledge of legal and ethical considerations in accessibility and accommodation processes in higher education.
• Knowledge of assistive technologies and accommodations used by students in academic environments.
• Knowledge of national organizations and professional standards in accessibility and disability services.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience coordinating accessibility services for students with disabilities in a postsecondary setting.
• Minimum of three years of supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated experience interpreting ADA and Section 504 regulations in the context of higher education accommodations.
• Experience collaborating with faculty to ensure appropriate implementation of accommodations.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, prescription, long‑term disability, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and life insurance.
• Paid sick leave, annual leave, and personal leave.
• 12 paid holidays per year.
• Tuition remission.
• Employer‑funded pension and supplemental retirement account.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Bowie State University shall not discriminate against any individual on the basis of race, color, religion, age, ancestry or national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, or veteran status. All policies, programs, and activities of Bowie State University are and shall be in conformity with all pertinent Federal and state laws of nondiscrimination, including but not limited to TitleVII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, TitleIX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Equal Pay Act of 1963, the Age Discrimination Act, Sections503 and504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Federal Executive Order No.11375, and Article49B of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The University will provide equal opportunity and an atmosphere of nondiscrimination with respect to women and minority groups in all its operations.