Student Accessibility Coordinator

Fairfield University; Fairfield (CT); On-site; USD 67,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Fairfield University is a Jesuit university located in Fairfield, CT, seeking a Student Accessibility Coordinator to support and coordinate federally mandated accommodations for students with disabilities. The role works with faculty, staff, and families to ensure equal access to academics and campus life.

The position requires collaboration with the Office of Accessibility, note-taking and exam proctoring support, and experience with ADA, FERPA, and related laws.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Special Education, Rehabilitation Counseling, Psychology, Higher Education Administration or related field is required.
• Master-level degree highly preferred; commensurate professional background may be considered in lieu of advanced degree.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, attention to detail, and computer proficiency.
• Experience with disability accommodations and accessibility in higher education is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Reviews and interprets disability documentation and evaluations.
• Engages in the interactive request process with students to approve accommodations.
• Maintains detailed confidential case notes and tracks accommodation requests and outcomes.
• Coordinates with campus partners to implement accommodations in classroom, clinical, and campus settings.
• Represents the Office of Accessibility at events and committees as needed.
• Designs and disseminates policies; supports staff in implementing accommodations such as CART, notetaking, and exam proctoring.
• Advocates for students if accommodations are not implemented and works with faculty to navigate academic accommodations.

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education

Master-level degree preferred

Job description

Fairfield University is a co-educational, comprehensive Jesuituniversity with a 200-acre campus located along the scenicshoreline community of Fairfield, CT. The University is comprisedof approximately 3,500 undergraduate and 1,200 graduate studentspursuing degrees within 5 schools: The College of Arts andSciences, The Charles F. Dolan School of Business, The School ofEngineering, The Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and HealthStudies, and School of Education and Human Development. As anexpression of our Jesuit, Catholic mission and identity, Fairfieldembraces a liberal humanistic approach to education, encouragingcritical thinking, cultivating free and open inquiry, and fosteringethical and religious values.

Job Description:

Department: Office of Accessibility

Primary Work Location: North Benson Road, Fairfield

Direct Supervisor: Director of the Office of Accessibility

Basic Function:

Reporting to the Director of Accessibility, the Student Accessibility Coordinator is responsible for supporting and coordinating tasks that pertain to students with disabilities. Primary responsibilities include determining, coordinating, and ensuring compliance with federally mandated accommodations and support services for students with disabilities through the interactive request process. The Student Accessibility Coordinator works collaboratively with the Office of Accessibility team to oversee student accommodations, including note-taking assistance, exam proctoring, and flexibility accommodations. Further, the position requires working with students, faculty, and staff, and all campus partners, to ensure that appropriate Office policies, procedures, and processes are upheld, and accommodations are implemented. This position serves as a resource for students, families of prospective students, faculty, and staff for issues related to student disability accommodations needed to provide equal access to academics and campus life.

Unusual Work Conditions:

Some evening and weekend hours are required.

Education, Certification, License, and Experience Requirements:

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS NEEDED:

Strong verbal and written communication skills are required, aswell as excellent interpersonal skills, orientation to details, and computer proficiency. Experience working with vulnerable student populations and their parents/guardians. Knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), and the impact of these laws on accommodations for students with disabilities.

Education:

A minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education, Rehabilitation Counseling, Psychology, Higher Education Administration or related field is required. A Master-level degree in a related field is highly preferred; however, commensurate professional background/experience may be considered in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience:

A minimum of 1-3 years of direct experience working with students with physical, sensory, learning, psychological, and/or other disabilities in a higher education, k-12 or clinical setting. The candidate should be knowledgeable about various disabilities and accommodations in higher education and best practices regarding implementing accommodations.

Essential Functions:

• Reviews and interprets disability documentation and evaluations
• Engages in the interactive request process with students with disabilities to formally approve academic and campus life accommodations
• Maintains detailed, timely, and confidential case notes documenting student interactions, accommodation decisions, communications, and follow-up actions
• Tracks accommodation requests, approvals, and outcomes using institutional case management systems
• Coordinates with team at Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies regarding the implementation of accommodations in classroom, clinical, and lab settings
• Manages campus life accommodation requests, including but not limited to, emotional support/assistance animal requests, housing accommodation requests, dining accommodation requests, and other campus accommodation requests Regularly engages and consults with Residence Life, Dining staff/ University nutritionist, and Public Safety/Parking Office.
• Manages existing student cases, including meeting with students, ensuring all documentation is in place, and providing necessary guidance and support regarding the implementation of the approved accommodations
• Acts as an advocate for students when accommodations are recommended and/ or have not been implemented
• Engages with faculty and academic departments to navigate academic accommodations in specific courses or programs and continue the interactive process
• Participates in Academic Affairs, Student Life and Office of Accessibility staff meetings, as well as represents the Office of Accessibility on various University committees when needed
• Represents OOA at prospective student events and Orientation Information sessions
• Designs/disseminates information on new policies and procedures for accessibility and accommodations; researches best practices indisability support in higher education
• Works with various offices throughout the University (via meetings, workshops, and/or seminars) to: a) promote the mission and resources of the Office of Accessibility, b) provide knowledge/input related to the role of the Office through trainings, c) assist with evaluating student accessibility, d) discuss crisis management issues pertaining to student accessibility
• Assists with the implementation of various accommodations, including but not limited to, audio books and accessible course content, CART services, exam proctoring and implementation of alternative testing accommodations, notetaking assistance, and flexibility accommodations
• Represents the Office of Accessibility via courteous, efficient, and professional behavior; upholds the utmost respect for student/family privacy and confidentiality
• Other duties as needed/assigned

Work Schedule: 12-month role

The expected wage range for this position is $66,575-$71,575.

Applicable to all positions:

Performs such other duties, responsibilities, and activities as required by supervisor and as departmental/University needs indicate.

Category:

Academic - Admin

Performs such other duties, responsibilities, and activities as required by supervisor and as departmental/University needs indicate.

Disclaimer

The above information indicates the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain and should not be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, activities, and/or qualifications required or expected of employees assigned to this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change and new ones may be assigned at any time, with or without notice.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a satisfactory background check.

Fairfield University provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Eligible employees may receive health, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefits, and other benefits according to institutional policy. Fairfield University Benefits