Director, Center for Accessibility Resources

Saint Xavier University; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Saint Xavier University in Chicago seeks a Director of the Center for Accessibility Resources to lead its efforts ensuring equal access for students with disabilities across all programs and services. The role guides strategic direction, daily operations, and regulatory compliance, including accommodations and assistive technology management.

The Director reports to the Executive Director of Academic and Student Support, supervises Center staff and student workers, and partners with faculty,

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years in disability services or accessibility.
• Supervisory experience preferred.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the ADA, ADAAA, FERPA, and Section 504.
• Experience with accessibility technology and assistive tools.

Responsibilities

• Provide vision, leadership, and strategic direction for the Center for Accessibility Resources.
• Supervise Center staff and oversee hiring, training, and performance evaluation.
• Administer the interactive process to determine accommodations and services.
• Review documentation per professional standards and guidance from AHEAD.
• Ensure compliance with ADA, 504, ADAAA and related regulations.
• Collaborate with faculty, academic affairs, student affairs, IT, facilities, HR, and public safety to support accessibility campus-wide.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic direction

Staff supervision

Disability law knowledge

Accessibility technology

Communication

Collaboration

Education

Master's degree

Tools

Accommodate

Navigate

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Director of the Center for Accessibility Resources leads the university's efforts to ensure equal access and full participation for students with disabilities in all academic programs, services, and activities. The Director is responsible for the strategic direction, daily operations, and regulatory compliance of the Center, including determining reasonable accommodations, managing accessibility technology and needs, supervising staff, and serving as the university's primary subject matter expert on disability law and accessibility best practices in higher education. The Director of the Center for Accessibility Resources reports to the Executive Director of Academic and Student Support and supervises Center staff, graduate assistants, and student workers.

Job Responsibilities

• Provide vision, leadership, and strategic direction for the Center for Accessibility Resources in alignment with the university's mission and commitment to inclusive excellence.
• Supervise Center staff, graduate assistants, and student workers; oversee hiring, training, professional development, and performance evaluation.
• Administer the interactive process to determine reasonable and appropriate academic accommodations, auxiliary aids, and services for students with disabilities.
• Review and evaluate documentation of disability in accordance with current professional standards and guidance from AHEAD (Association on Higher Education And Disability).
• Ensure institutional compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), and other applicable federal, state, and institutional regulations governing disability services and accessibility.
• Develop, implement, and regularly review policies, procedures, and protocols for the efficient and equitable administration of accessibility services.
• Serve as the university's primary resource and consultant to faculty, staff, and administrators on disability-related matters.
• Manage accessibility technology and assistive tools, including Accommodate software, screen readers, alternative format production, and university case management systems such as Navigate and Canvas.
• Coordinate testing accommodations, note-taking services, alternative format materials, sign language interpreting, and captioning services.
• Maintain accurate, confidential student files and case management records in compliance with FERPA, HIPAA, and disability confidentiality standards.
• Manage the Center's budget, including forecasting, allocating resources, and identifying cost-effective solutions for accommodations and services.
• Evaluate student concerns, requests, and appeals regarding accommodation decisions; participate in grievance procedures as appropriate.
• Collaborate with faculty, academic affairs, student affairs, residence life, athletics, facilities, human resources, information technology, public safety and Title IX to support accessibility across campus programs, physical spaces, and digital environments.
• Serve as content manager of the Center's website, ensuring information is current, accurate, and digitally accessible.
• Represent the Center on university committees and at special events; serve as liaison to external agencies, community partners, and disability-related professional organizations.
• Develop and deliver training, workshops, and outreach programs for faculty, staff, and students on disability awareness, accommodations, and inclusive practices.
• Collect, analyze, and report data on Center usage, student outcomes, and service effectiveness to inform continuous improvement and institutional planning.
• Maintain current knowledge of trends, case law, and best practices in disability services by attending and participating in workshops and conferences on and off campus.
• Assist in representing the Center for Accessibility Resources campus-wide and at special events.
• Other duties as assigned.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation will be provided to enable individuals with disabilities who are otherwise qualified to perform the essential functions.

Qualifications

• Master's degree required in Special Education, Rehabilitation Counseling, Higher Education Administration, Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in disability services, accessibility, or a related field, preferably in higher education.
• Supervisory experience preferred.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the ADA, ADAAA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, FERPA, and other relevant federal and state laws and regulations.
• Demonstrated experience evaluating disability documentation and determining reasonable accommodations through an interactive process.
• Knowledge of assistive technology, accessible instructional materials, and digital accessibility standards (e.g., Accommodate).
• Strong leadership, interpersonal, organizational, and analytical skills.
• Ability to prioritize, multi-task, perform well under pressure, and meet deadlines.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to communicate sensitive information with discretion and empathy.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse populations of students, faculty, and staff.
• Strong computer skills with knowledge of Microsoft Office products; experience with accessibility case management software (e.g., Accommodate, Navigate) preferred.

Description of Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30-4:30

We inspire success by working together to provide meaningful, personalized service in a spirit of excellence. SXU seeks candidates that deliver value‑added services in a responsive, collaborative, effective, and respectful manner.

The University is committed to diversity and encourages applications from individuals with a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. Saint Xavier University affirms its position as a Catholic institution, inspired by the heritage of the Sisters of Mercy, and asserts its rights to employ persons who subscribe to the mission, vision and core values of the University.

Saint Xavier University is an Equal Opportunity Employer that makes all decisions regarding recruitment, hiring, promotions and all other terms and conditions of employment without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, creed, sex, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status or other factors protected by law. Hiring decisions will be based on the bona fide occupational qualifications of each applicant.