Access and Disability Accommodations Specialist

Access and Disability Accommodations Specialist

Job Profile Title

Associate Director B, Academic Affairs, Community Engagement

Job Description Summary

Reporting to the Executive Director of Equal Opportunity (EO) in the University’s Center for Civil Rights (CCR), the Access and Disability Accommodations Specialist supports efforts to ensure compliance with the University’s Equal Opportunity and Nondiscrimination policies and guidelines, as well as federal, state, and local disability laws and regulations. The incumbent will respond to and facilitate the interactive process in response to reasonable accommodation requests from qualified staff, student-employees (including graduate workers), faculty, and campus visitors (except for applicants for admission and visiting families) and serve as a resource to the campus community on accessibility and disability inclusion, including through the development of policy and trainings to the Penn community.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Executive Director of Equal Opportunity (EO) in the University’s Center for Civil Rights (CCR), the Access and Disability Accommodations Specialist supports efforts to ensure compliance with the University’s Equal Opportunity and Nondiscrimination policies and guidelines, as well as federal, state, and local disability laws and regulations. The incumbent will respond to and facilitate the interactive process in response to reasonable accommodation requests from qualified staff, student-employees (including graduate workers), faculty, and campus visitors (except for applicants for admission and visiting families) and serve as a resource to the campus community on accessibility and disability inclusion, including through the development of policy and trainings to the Penn community.

This role will also work in partnership with CCR’s Title IX and Religious and Ethnic Interests subject-matter experts to help determine whether reasonable accommodations and related services are appropriate for individuals served through those offices. This role will also actively collaborate with Student Disability Services (the Weingarten Center), Deans’ Offices, Human Resources (including Talent Acquisition), and other campus partners to support the provision of reasonable accommodations and related services. The Accommodations Specialist will support the University’s commitment to accessibility by promoting best practices and conducting outreach and educational initiatives in collaboration with other accessibility campus partners to increase awareness of accommodation obligations, accessibility, and accommodation resources across campus.

The Access and Disability Accommodations Specialist will play a key role in cultivating and supporting the University’s Center for Civil Rights. Serving as an essential point of contact within Equal Opportunity, this position will engage with qualified staff, student-employees, faculty, and campus visitors seeking reasonable accommodations, and advance equitable access to University programs, services, and opportunities. This role will provide guidance throughout the accommodation process and help advance the University’s commitment to civil rights compliance and equal access for all members of the campus community and may also be asked to provide support for other activities within the CCR.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Build trusting partnerships with qualified staff, student-employees (including graduate workers), faculty, and campus visitors with disabilities and provide individualized support, guidance, and resources to help them thrive in the workplace.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for qualified staff, student employees (including graduate workers), faculty, and campus visitors requesting reasonable accommodations based on disability.
• Facilitate the individualized, interactive process in response to each reasonable accommodation request, including through conducting intake and follow-up meetings, consulting with supervisors and/or other campus leadership, as appropriate, reviewing supporting documentation, and making a written accommodation determination in response to the request.
• Work with campus partners on the implementation of approved reasonable accommodations.
• For student employees (including graduate workers), collaborate with colleagues in the Center for Civil Rights and Student Disability Services (the Weingarten Center) as appropriate to respond to and facilitate the interactive process in response to student-employee accommodation requests, including to provide consistent support and implementation, and to develop an understanding of the external resources available to support individuals with accommodation requests.
• Document incoming accommodation requests and consultations as well as the interactive process, including the initial request, intake, activities and steps taken in response, outcome, and the implementation of accommodations, as appropriate.
• Ensure accommodation request files reflect the request, the university’s response, and information relied upon to make an accommodation determination, and document the request and response timeline, reflecting prompt institutional responses and/or any documented reasons for delay.
• Assist with the administration and maintenance of the accommodation database, ensuring accurate and timely recordkeeping, while promoting best practices in data management, privacy, accessibility, and accommodation processes.
• Connect staff, student-employees (including graduate workers), faculty, and campus visitors with University accessibility-related resources and promote equitable access to University programs and services by collaborating with University campus and community organizations.
• Serve as a resource on disability and accessibility for staff, student-employees (including graduate workers), faculty, and campus visitors and the broader University community by providing guidance, consultation, and support on accommodation processes and accessibility considerations, and by conducting education and training on accessibility and disability inclusion.
• Participate in the review and revision of the Equal Opportunity’s accessibility-related policies and procedures to reflect current federal, state and local legal standards and best practices, including under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, and the Fair Housing Act.
• Serve on committees and working groups supporting initiatives and compliance with the University’s Equal Opportunity and Nondiscrimination policies and guidelines by contributing subject-matter expertise and partnership across University efforts.
• Maintain current knowledge of regulatory requirements and best practices related to accessibility and disability inclusion and monitor developments in relevant laws, regulations, guidelines, and professional standards, including under the ADA and the Rehabilitation Act.
• Develop working knowledge of, and competency with, available assistive technology, adaptive equipment, auxiliary aids and services, alternative formats, learning enhancement tools, and general digital accessibility (WCAG 2.1)
• Perform other duties as assigned, which may include supporting additional EO or CCR activities and initiatives as needed.