Job Title: Student Learning and Accessibility Specialist

General purpose:

In collaboration with the Accessibility and Disability Services (ADS) Director, provides and coordinates comprehensive academic support for all MICA students, including students with disabilities. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, providing individual and group instruction emphasizing self-advocacy, the use of resources and technology, and the development of strategies to support academic, creative, and executive-skills functioning for all MICA students; providing assistive technology assistance to eligible students; coordinating services for students with disabilities and facilitating student access through the accommodation process.

ADS staff interacts extensively with students and the primarily role of the specialist is to be available to MICA students and community members for in-person meetings. ADS is a high-traffic and busy work environment with multiple peak periods of work activity across the calendar year. Interruptions of work tasks to attend to phone or walk-in inquiries are the norm.

Summary of Essential Functions

• Work with individual students to assess their strengths and weaknesses to identify strategies and resources to facilitate growth in academic, creative, executive-functioning, and software skills

• Advise students on educational tools, resources, and technology to support and enhance student learning

• Working with the ADS Director, develop and lead workshops for students, staff, and faculty related to building academic, creative, executive-functioning, and software skills

• Assist with the implementation of disability accommodations and services

• Assist ADS Director to oversee peer academic & creative coaching program and collaborate with peer coaches to design innovative programs and services for MICA students

• Identify best practices in adaptive and assistive technology to support adaptive learning habits in students

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Meet with students and families to provide an overview of the College disability accommodation process and the provision of disability accommodations at the post-secondary level

• Conduct one-on-one tutoring sessions and group workshops on building academic, creative, executive-functioning, and software skills

• Serve as a contact for prospective students, current students, parents, staff, and faculty relating to academic, creative, executive-functioning, and software skills support

• Assist ADS Director to facilitate the implementation of disability accommodations and services, including note-taking, exam proctoring, adaptive technology, interpreting services, etc.

• Manage the process for acquiring and creating alternative formats including accessible texts, captioned videos and transcripts of videos

• Assist ADS Director to hire, train, and supervise peer academic & creative coaches and collaborate with coaches to deliver programming and events

• Train eligible students on assistive technology programs and facilitate the troubleshooting of technical issues with software.

• In collaboration with the Center for Teaching Innovation and Exchange, serve as a point of contact for faculty and staff developing accessible learning content

• Maintain detailed records of internal and external communications and confidential student documentation

• Create content and manage ADS social media accounts and assist in maintaining and developing ADS website information including the development of accessible forms, Q&A documents, etc.

• Collaborate with other campus offices to facilitate student learning with technology

• Assist ADS Director to identify and engage at-risk students in support of the College’s retention efforts

• Represent ADS at College events on campus, attend professional conferences and workshops, network with other institutions and organizations

• Serve on various, campus, divisional, and departmental committees

• Perform other related duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated experience working with college students with disabilities

• Ability to mentor students and teach effective strategies in individual and group settings

• Ability to manage calmly and deliberately students in crisis and identify the appropriate support resources

• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Adobe, Learning and Database Management Systems (Canvas, AIM, Maxient) as well as knowledge of adaptive and assistive technology and technology supporting learning accessibility (e.g., Kurzweil, Read&Write, Sonocent/Glean, Dragon Naturally Speaking, Apple, Android and Google accessibility features, etc.)

• Ability to maintain the confidentiality of highly sensitive student information; ability to manage and distribute information appropriately

• Demonstrated ability to problem-solve, manage multiple responsibilities, and respond effectively in a fast-paced environment

• Ability to take initiative, exercise good judgment, and execute sound decision-making skills

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with a diverse group of students, faculty, and staff; ability to interact with a wide variety of constituencies on and off-campus

• Excellent listening, organizational, written, verbal and digital communication skills, coupled with sensitivity to issues of accessibility, diversity and inclusion

• Ability to communicate professionally both orally and in writing with careful attention to detail

• Energetic, creative thinker and self-starter with a strong sense of professional ethics

• Demonstrated commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, modeling inclusive behavior, and promoting a culture of belonging

Minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in education, special education, instructional design, disability studies, psychology, counseling, or related

• One to three years of professional experience in learning support working directly with students

• Working knowledge of disability laws applicable in a higher education setting (ADA as amended, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, etc.)

• Knowledge of Universal Design for Learning and other best practices in creating accessible learning environments

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in disability studies, special education, psychology, counseling, instructional technology, assistive technology, or a related field

• Strong knowledge of Creative Cloud applications including InDesign, Premier, and Illustrator and/or other design software

• Experience working in an arts and design educational context

Reporting to this position:

• Student peer academic and creative coaches (co-supervised with Director)

Conditions of Employment:

• Conditions: Background Check