Job Summary

The Access Specialist determines eligibility of services of reasonable accommodations for the University of Illinois students with disabilities. Must remain current with federal and state mandates as they relate to college students with disabilities, and consults and serves as a resource with faculty and campus administrators on accommodations and access issues impacting students with disabilities.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Address students with disabilities and the instructors in the planning, determination, and implementation of academic adjustments, modifications, and auxiliary aids.
• Counsels/advises students in areas such as crisis management, academic coaching, vocational counseling, and transition planning related to their disability.
• Collaborates with faculty and other professionals across campus to make sure that approved academic accommodations are in place for students with disabilities.
• Advises other campus administrative and service units on the physical, programmatic, informational, and attitudinal access issues related to the needs of students with disabilities.
• Collaborates with other DRES staff in the ongoing refinement of internal service policies, procedures, and practices.
• Participates in the development and implementation of disability education training on the Illinois campus.
• Assists in maintaining current information on the DRES website and social media pages.
• Serves as DRES liaison to other campus department/units as needed.
• Schedules, coordinates, and conducts tours of DRES to prospective students, visitors, alumni, interview candidates, courses, faculty/staff, and university officials.
• Conducts service responsibilities for the College of AHS (i.e. search committee work, subcommittee membership) as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree in rehabilitation, psychology, social work, education, or closely related field.
• Experience in working with individuals with disabilities.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of and experience in the delivery of ADAAA/504 mandated post-secondary academic services to students with disabilities.
• Must be a productive team player with the ability to deliver a high level of interactive service, develop and maintain collaborative relationships inside and outside of the unit, prioritize effectively, as well as proactively solve problems.
• Must work well under pressure and handle multiple projects simultaneously with a great deal of accuracy.
• Possess strong communication skills along with exceptional organization skills.
• Ability to work well with students, faculty, and staff at all levels across varied backgrounds and perspectives in a collaborative setting.