Director of Disability Resources for Students
The Director of Disability Resources for Students (DRS) leads and manages the work of a student service unit that is primarily responsible for compliance functions for the University. As a member of the Enrollment Management and Student Affairs Division, the Director of Disability Resources for Students (DRS) provides leadership in developing and implementing inclusively designed educational activities and ensuring compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and other state and federal laws regarding access for students with disabilities.
This position serves a unique student population and is independently responsible for compliance with state and federal laws and regulations. Knowledge of FERPA, ADA, Section 504, Title IX, and Higher Education Act is essential to this role.
This position manages a department with a federal mandate to determine, manage, and facilitate accommodations for students with documented disabilities. This involves interaction among complex systems in an increasingly technical field, as well as ensuring compliance with federal and state statutes. Responsibilities and expertise include analysis of medical documentation, determination of appropriate and reasonable accommodations, development of programs and resources to meet identified accommodation needs, counseling students regarding their academic progress and success, and advising and assisting faculty in the implementation of identified accommodations. The position requires a very high level of independent decision-making and professional judgment.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Program Administration and Leadership
• Provide strategic vision and leadership to the office of Disability Resources for Students. Ensure compliance with the ADA and other state and federal laws.
• Conducts individual consultation using the interactive process with students, faculty and staff to assess strategies for full inclusion, including the determination and provision of reasonable accommodations and fundamental alterations. Reviews medical documentation and determines appropriate academic and housing accommodations.
• Consults with and advises faculty, staff, students, and others in complicated or difficult situations providing technical advice, problem solving assistance, program goals clarification and procedural guidance.
• Leads, supports, directs, and supervises the daily work of staff involved in the coordination of test administration. Provides back up and support for staff and coverage.
• Oversee the recruitment, hiring, training and evaluation of professional and classified and student staff. Develop, assess, and revise learning outcomes. Conduct regular and annual performance reviews. Foster and develop a thriving team environment. Explores, discusses, and recommends professional development activities for staff.
• Provides technical and instructional assistance and support for faculty, staff, administration and students working with students with disabilities.
• Collaborates with students to identify barriers to participation and options to achieve access; provides consultation, information, referral and support.
• Fosters the development of a team approach (faculty, staff and students) in the provision of direct student services.
• Ensures the consistent creation and handling of confidential student records.
• Oversees implementation of strategic planning, evaluation tools, and metrics to measure DRS effectiveness and monitors progress towards articulated goals.
• Prepares periodic reports on program activities and achievements.
• Manages operational and testing budget. Develops budget proposals that reflect anticipated demand for services as well as demonstrate good fiscal stewardship. Exercises excellent budget strategy in the context of a public institution and federal responsibilities. Pursue external/grant funding as needed and opportunities arise.
• Lead department assessment and evaluation including data collection, data management, dissemination, and consultation. Conduct data analysis using a blend of quantitative and qualitative analysis techniques as necessary. Disseminate information of assessment findings to campus and external constituencies. Conduct continuous improvement.
• Promotes and facilitates disability awareness, access and inclusion through training, advocacy and accommodations.
• Serves as a vital member of the EMSA leadership team.
• Ensure the department is prepared for small and large-scale emergencies and student crisis response – risk management.
Consultation and Outreach
• Provides and coordinates DRS consultation, outreach, and liaison activities with University departments involved in supporting student academic success, with specific emphasis on infusing a social construction of disability creating usable, equitable, inclusive, and sustainable campus environments.
• Actively outreaches to staff and administrators of University offices to encourage program activities and processes that foster involvement of students with disabilities and minimize the need for individual accommodations.
• Develops effective campus partnerships that further the mission and vision of DRS.
• As a subject matter expert, educates those throughout the University on issues pertaining to universal design, disability issues, reasonable accommodations, disability supportive campus.
• Raises awareness of issues affecting persons with disabilities and promotes self-determination and community for persons with disabilities.
• Serves on University committees. Provide consultation to committees as needed as it pertains to students with disabilities– CARE Team, Former Quarter Drop and Tuition Forfeiture, Housing, Space Planning, and more.
• Provides information, referral, and support to students, faculty, staff, prospective students, and the general public.
Professional Activity and Campus Involvement
• Works actively to develop and maintain excellent communication and working relationships with faculty and staff to ensure effective service delivery and promote principles of Universal Design of Instruction.
• Maintains membership with relevant state and national professional organizations.
• Participates in professional development activities through presentations, publications, attendance at conferences and/or related activities.
• Stays abreast of national, state, and local disability-related issues.
• Staff major events and programs including campus events such as Convocation, Welcome Week, Graduation, Housing Move In, Orientation, etc.
• Serve as a liaison and core member of the tri-campus DRS community between UW Seattle, UW Tacoma and UW Bothell.
• Serve and participate on University and professional association committees as assigned or designated.
• Engage and collaborate on current strategic priorities and initiatives.
• Other duties as assigned by the Vice Chancellor of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
• Bachelor’s degree in teaching/education, psychology/counseling studies, student development, or human services and four years’ experience managing an office responsible for providing disability services in a college setting including the interactive process and reasonable accommodations.
Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
• Knowledge of models of disability and inclusive educational design and their applications in higher education.
• Extensive knowledge and understanding of the ADA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and other pertinent federal and state laws that provide for an accessible higher education experience for disabled students.
• Excellent administration, management, and leadership skills, including policy development, strategic planning, and budget management.
• Supervision of full time staff.
• Demonstrated experience in working on equity and diversity initiatives within and across different constituencies.
• Working knowledge of common computer programs and applications.
• Demonstrated commitment to ongoing development of multicultural competency in professional context.
• Ability to work effectively with colleagues in a complex team environment.
• Ability to encourage creativity and innovation.
• Strong communication skills, including public speaking or presentations.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Master’s degree in counseling, Social Work, Psychology, Human Development, Higher Education, or other relevant degree
• Experience with MyDRS (AIM), SDB, EAB, DARS and EARS
• Experience providing counseling services to students
• Budget management.
