• Job Description

  Req#: 9610BR

  Job Summary

  Reporting to the Disability Services Director, the Senior Access and Assistive Technology Coordinator is the department leader in the area of assistive technology (AT) and digital accessibility. The role focuses on the administration and general operations of the Disability Services department, including assistive technology management, student advising, and program oversight. These responsibilities support the strategic operations and success of the department. Once accommodations are in place, access coordinators will maintain ongoing advising relationships with assigned students to support departmental learning outcomes focused on self-advocacy, strong interpersonal communication, and understanding of disability rights and available resources.
  

  Job Responsibilities

  Assistive Technology and Digital Accessibility:
  Work closely with publishers and students to obtain accessible textbooks for students with print-based disabilities. When digital accessible formats are not available, obtain physical copies of books to scan and re-bind directly from students and maintain an inventory of all accessible textbooks either obtained or created in office. Directly remediate inaccessible course materials for students with accommodations related to a print-based disability or specific assistive technology use. This will include but is not limited to production of digital and hard copy accessible materials via image description and alt text generation, formatting digital text to be readable by screen readers, Braille displays, and text-to-speech software. Collaborate with faculty to obtain timely access to course materials for students with format-related accommodations and advise on strategies for accessibility in the classroom for students with these accommodations. Assist the Disability Services Director in program management, assessment, and policy recommendations. Collaborate with faculty to ensure instructional materials are accessible for students with print-based disabilities and who use assistive technology to access content. Work with students, advisors, and departments to obtain course content that may require remediation with as much advance notice as possible. Train and support students in using assistive technologies.
  
  Student Access Coordination and Advising:
  Collaborate with faculty and staff to ensure accommodations are implemented effectively. Determine appropriate accommodations through an interactive process. Review applications and documentation to support accommodation decisions. Foster ongoing advising relationships to build self- advocacy skills. The job requires a high level of decision-making autonomy, including determining appropriate accommodations, managing assistive technology resources, and advising on accessibility strategies.
  
  Ongoing Accommodation Facilitation:
  Collaborate with faculty and staff to facilitate effective facilitation of accommodations. Problem-solve to ensure equitable access for students as well as the appropriateness of accommodations in various academic, co-curricular, and other contexts. Direct follow up with students and faculty to ensure awareness, acknowledgment, and understanding of requested accommodations in courses.
  
  Record-Keeping:
  Maintain timely and comprehensive records documenting interactions with students, faculty, and staff, as well as the rationale for specific accommodation decisions. Maintain appropriate confidentiality in all forms of communication, in compliance with FERPA, campus, and departmental guidelines.
  
  Other duties as assigned

  Required Qualifications

  • 3-5 years of disability-related experience, particularly in assistive technology and accessible document creation
  • Education in disability studies, assistive technology, social work, special/inclusive education, counseling, higher education student affairs, or a related field
  • Knowledge of best practices for assistive technology and digital accessibility.
  • Strong commitment to social justice, diversity (including disability), and empowering underrepresented populations
  • Experience working with students with disabilities at the high school or postsecondary level
  • Experience with assistive technologies including but not limited to: JAWS/NVDA/VoiceOver, electronic Braille displays, Glean notetaking software, Kurzweil, Natural Reader, Immersive Reader, BeeLine, Dragon, and more.
  • Familiarity with Braille and tactile image generation.Experience editing PDFs and other digital documents for accessibility in compliance with the ADA(AA), Section 508, and WCAG 2.2.

  Skills:

  • Working knowledge of federal and state laws related to disability rights, including ADA, ADAAA, Section 508, and Section 504, and the newest iteration of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.2), and their application to higher education
  • Education, training, or experience in accessible document creation and assistive technology use by disabled people
  • Ability to research and implement emerging new technologies for digital and hard copy document accessibility
  • Knowledge of disability justice and models of disability
  • High fluency with computer applications and workplace technology, including the ability to work effectively with students and colleagues remotely
  • Strong organizational and record-keeping skills
  • Strong and developed communication skills in both public and 1:1 settings
  • Ability to thoughtfully and critically review requests for accommodations
  • Strong creativity and problem-solving skills, and ability to analyze various environments to determine access barriers and solutions
  • Strong and clear interpersonal, written, and electronic communications skills, including the ability to convey complex information in accessible and meaningful terms to diverse audiences
  • Ability to manage and maintain confidential and private information; uses confidential, sensitive and/or private records and information, protects information appropriately
  • Ability to establish, build, and maintain effective student, staff, and faculty relationships based on respect, empathy, and cultural humility
  • Knowledge of Deaf culture, American Sign Language (ASL), or willingness to learn
  • Strong commitment to ongoing learning and professional development as related to disability and equity in higher education

  Preferred Qualifications

  Masters Degree
  Prior experience with accessible content creation and/or accommodation coordination for students with disabilities in postsecondary settings

  
  
  

  Required Minimum Education Level

  BS

  Work Location

  Hybrid — Remote/On-campus

  Shift

  Day

  Wage Band

  118A

  FLSA Category

  Exempt

  Employment Category

  Fulltime

  Required Application Documents

  Cover Letter, Curriculum Vitae or Resume, List of References

  What do we believe at RIT?

  Rochester Institute of Technology is a diverse and collaborative community of engaged, socially conscious, and intellectually curious minds. Through creativity and innovation, and an intentional blending of technology, the arts and design, we provide exceptional individuals with a wide range of academic opportunities, including a leading research program and an internationally recognized education for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. We are dedicated to building a diverse community, one where employees feel a sense of belonging, and are valued for their contributions and the perspectives they bring.

  As a member of the RIT community, you'll receive a comprehensive employee benefits package that offers multiple options and access to additional employment advantages. You can tailor your benefit elections to meet your needs (affordable medical/dental/vision benefits; paid vacation/sick time/retirement saving plan with exceptional employer match; and tuition assistance for you and your family, to name a few).

  Department/College Description

  The Disability Services Office is dedicated to facilitating equitable access to the full RIT experience for students with disabilities. We value disability as diversity and work in collaboration with campus partners to foster a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive campus community.

  How To Apply

  In order to be considered for this position, you must apply for it at: http://careers.rit.edu/staff. Click the link for search openings and in the keyword search field, enter the title of the position or the BR number.

  Additional Details

  In compliance with NYS's Pay Transparency Act, the salary range for this position is listed above. Rochester Institute of Technology considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as, market and organizational considerations when extending an offer. The hiring process for this position may require a criminal background check and/or motor vehicle records check. Any verbal or written offer made is contingent on satisfactory results, as determined by Human Resources. RIT does not discriminate. RIT promotes and values diversity, pluralism and inclusion in the work place. RIT provides equal opportunity to all qualified individuals and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, age, marital status, sex, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, veteran status or disability in its hiring, admissions, educational programs and activities. RIT provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities under the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the New York Human Rights Law, or similar applicable law. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact the Human Resources office at 585-475-2424 or email your request to hr@rit.edu. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

  Hourly/Salary Minimum

  45700

  Hourly/Salary Maximum

  76500

• About the company

  Rochester Institute of Technology is internationally recognized for academic leadership and is home to 18,000 full- and part-time students in more than 200 career-oriented and professional programs.

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