Associate Director of Student Accessibility Resources

Who We Are:

National Louis is a 135+ year old university that has been grounded in the values of innovation, access, excellence, and equity from its inception. As an institution, we believe in providing access to educational opportunity and that education is our greatest lever for social and economic mobility. We are a student-focused community that is committed to continuous improvement and superior student service. We believe that through education we are able to empower change and build healthy communities. Our hard-working community is based on collaboration and respect for all team members and students.

What We Offer:

At National Louis University, we offer our employees an innovative environment to work together and inspire the ideas that will make an impact. As our external environment changes, our employees are provided the opportunities and tools needed to grow both personally and professionally to remain successful. NLU employees and dependents are offered a wide range of benefits, including but not limited to, Health Insurance benefits, Retirement benefits, Paid Time Off and Educational Benefits.

What You Will Do:

Under the leadership of the Director of Access and Campus Resources, the Associate Director of Student Accessibility Resources is a crucial role within the Student Affairs division, dedicated to supporting the success of students with disabilities. This position focuses on ensuring students receive the necessary accommodations and personalized support to thrive academically and personally. The Associate Director contributes to the ongoing development and improvement of student accessibility services. The Associate Director will supervise the full-time Student Affairs Specialist assigned to the Center for Student Accessibility Resources (CSAR) and will play a key role in implementing and enhancing accessibility services.

Accessibility Services Leadership

Support the Director in developing and implementing accessibility services for students with disabilities, ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• Assist in overseeing the delivery of individualized accommodation plans to meet each student's unique needs.
• Conduct regular reviews of campus facilities, digital resources, and academic programs to identify and help address accessibility barriers.
• Support faculty in the implementation of accommodations, providing guidance and resources to ensure that students' needs are effectively met in the classroom.
• Collaborate with faculty and staff to support the development of inclusive teaching practices and accessible curriculum materials.
• Advocate for students with disabilities, ensuring their needs are met and their voices are heard across the university.
• When the Director is unavailable, acts as Interim Director to help oversee CSAR operations.

Direct Student Support and Advocacy

• Manage a caseload of graduate, and professional students with disabilities;
• Provide direct case management to help students navigate the university's resources and services.
• Coordinate assigned direct services to students which may include note taking, reading/alternative format, use of assistive technology and/or testing accommodations.
• Build strong relationships with students, offering guidance on self-advocacy and empowering them to overcome potential barriers.
• Coordinate with the Office of Campus and Community Resources to connect students with external services and community partnerships that can enhance their academic experience.
• Assist in facilitating training and professional development opportunities for faculty and staff to deepen their understanding of accessibility and inclusivity.

Program Development, Outreach and Assessment

• Assist the Director in the continuous assessment and enhancement of accessibility programs and services, using data-driven approaches to evaluate effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.
• Help develop strategic initiatives to expand and improve accessibility services, aligning with institutional goals and student needs.
• Plan and execute outreach events and programming to raise awareness of student accessibility and promote an inclusive campus culture.
• Contribute to the preparation of reports and documentation related to accessibility services, ensuring transparency and accountability in program operations.

Supervision and Collaboration

• Supervise the full-time Student Affairs Specialist assigned to the CSAR and student workers, providing guidance and support in their daily responsibilities.
• Work closely with the Director of Access and Campus Resources to build partnerships with local organizations and agencies that support students with disabilities.
• Support the broader mission of the Student Affairs division by contributing to initiatives that enhance the overall student experience, particularly those focused on student accessibility.

• Bachelor's Degree required, Master's Degree preferred (in Disability Studies/Services, Special Education, Social Work, Psychology, Counseling or other related field)
• Minimum of 2 years of demonstrated work experience focused on supporting adults with disabilities, preferably in a higher education setting
• At least one year of experience in leadership/supervision, ideally in a higher education setting including staff supervision, effective time management, and prioritization of competing initiatives and projects
• Knowledge and experience with relevant laws and regulations (i.e. the Americans with Disabilities Act, Title IX, etc.)
• Familiarity with relevant software and technology for data management and accessibility services. (Microsoft Windows-based software); experience with BANNER and assistive software strongly preferred (e.g., Dragon Naturally Speaking, JAWS for Windows, Kurzweil 3000, etc.)

Job Competencies:

• Leadership Support - Supports the development of a shared vision that motivates and inspires individuals across various stakeholder groups (e.g., staff, students, parents). Assists in communicating, exemplifying, and reinforcing this vision to enhance credibility, foster understanding, and secure buy-in from others. Helps empower and guide the achievement of specific, challenging, and attainable goals that align with and advance the shared vision.
• Cross-Cultural Sensitivity/Compassion - Demonstrates an awareness of, and sensitivity to, the needs and concerns of individuals from different cultures. Makes adjustments in how he or she communicates out of respect for cultural differences and minimizes the number of cross-cultural misunderstandings.
• Innovative Thinking - Looks out for new and innovative approaches that will improve efficiency. Embraces and champions new ideas and encourages others to do likewise. Recognizes and rewards people and teams who are creative and innovative.
• Communication Skills - Uses effective written and oral communication with internal staff, teams, community served, and partners; demonstrates empathy and listening.

NLU Inclusion Statement:

National Louis University is deeply committed to serving its community, advancing access and equity, and ensuring that all individuals are welcomed and valued. We are dedicated to fostering a culture where diversity, equity, and inclusion remain at the core of who we are. These are more than just words to us: they are truly a way of life for the NLU community. We recognize that differences in abilities, age, ethnicity, gender (identity and expression), race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, and background bring richness to our work environment. We affirm diverse perspectives, innovative contributions, and authentic presentations of self from every member within the NLU community. We believe inclusion is grounded in the actions we intentionally take each day. Our goal is to inspire and empower NLU employees and community members to cultivate an environment where we collectively focus on uplifting and advancing our institutional culture.