"Accessibility and Assistive Technology Coordinator"

Under the direction of the Accessible Education Center (AEC) Director, the Adaptive Services Coordinator at Gavilan College is responsible for providing comprehensive support services to students with disabilities, ensuring equal access to all college courses, programs, activities, and resources in alignment with the mission of the Accessible Education Center to provide quality and excellence in programs, services, and support which enhance the quality of community life and the development of individual potential. This position involves organizing, coordinating and overseeing the daily operations of the AEC's High Tech Center, including, coordinating accommodations, providing direct support, collaborating with faculty and staff, and promoting a campus environment that is inclusive and accessible to all students across Gavilan College's locations, including the main campus in Gilroy, and centers in Hollister, Coyote Valley (San Jose), and the Aviation Technology Site in San Martin. The coordinator will work closely with students to assess their individual needs, recommend appropriate assistive technology and services, provide training, and facilitate the implementation of accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other relevant legislation.

Ideal Candidate Statement:

Gavilan College is committed to recruiting individuals that embody our Principles of Community by: actively demonstrating a commitment to embracing and celebrating diversity; committing to collaboration, effective communication and the development of strong working relationships; promoting purposeful inclusion of all groups and the free exchange of ideas in a respectful, trusting and considerate environment; and demonstrating commitment to a college which prioritizes equity in resource allocation.

The ideal candidate for this position is an equity-minded individual who understands the importance of creating opportunities for students who have been historically underserved, particularly in the Latinx community. Gavilan seeks candidates who view the elimination of inequities as an individual and collective responsibility and who strive to reframe inequities as a problem of practice. Demonstrated sensitivity to and ability to motivate and teach community college students of diverse ethnic backgrounds, cultures, preparation, learning styles and/or disabilities.

In addition, the ideal candidate is skilled in assistive technology and educated in a range of training techniques and how to recognize which approach is best suited to a particular learner. They are experienced in working with individuals with disabilities, identifying assistive technology to meet their access and learning needs, and providing instruction in its use. The ideal candidate is skilled in the production and design of information in alternate media formats. They are creative, flexible, and collaborative in promoting the success of all students in an open-access learning environment.

The following duties are typical of those performed by employees in this job title; however, employees may perform other related duties, and not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each employee in the job title.

• Coordination and Provision of Services: Assess student needs, recommend appropriate assistive technology, provide training and coordinate implementation of accommodations and services.
• Organizes and coordinates the day-to-day operations and support staff of the High Tech Center; provides training and day-to-day lead work guidance and coordination to other Classified and student staff.
• Collaborates with instructional, student and administrative service departments to ensure that District educational resources are accessible; maintains and purchases equipment and software for the center; identifies, evaluates and recommends a variety of assistive technologies to meet student needs.
• Responsible for ensuring students with disabilities have access to appropriate assistive technology and services.
• Coordinates and responds to requests for Deaf and Hard of Hearing services, including sourcing and scheduling of interpreters and real time captioning.
• Coordinates requests and production of alternate media in a variety of formats (e-text, Braille, large print, tactile graphics). Works with vendors and publishers to meet alternate media requests.
• Direct Support and Training: Provide direct support and training to students with disabilities regarding academic adjustments, assistive technology (such as Kurzweil 3000 software available to all students), learning strategies, and available campus and community resources relevant to the Gavilan College service area.
• Liaison and Collaboration: Serve as a liaison between students with disabilities, faculty, and other Gavilan College departments (e.g., Admissions and Records, Financial Aid, Counseling, Testing Center) to facilitate communication and ensure coordinated support services. This includes collaboration with support programs like CalWORKs, EOPS, and the Veteran Resource Center, where applicable.
• Coordination of Tram Services: Assess students' needs for on-campus mobility assistance and coordinate the provision of tram services or other adaptive transportation options.
• Assistive Technology and Alternative Media: Assess students' needs for assistive technology and adaptive equipment available through the AEC; coordinate the provision of such resources and provide training on their use. Arrange for the provision of alternate formats of instructional materials, utilizing resources and procedures established by the department.
• Record Keeping and Reporting: Maintain accurate and confidential student records as required by the department and the college.
• Training and Outreach: Develop and deliver training workshops for faculty and staff on disability awareness and accessibility requirements. Participate in outreach activities to promote awareness of adaptive services and the rights of students with disabilities within the Gavilan College community and service area.
• Problem Solving: Proactively identify and address potential barriers to accessibility and inclusion for students with disabilities across all Gavilan College programs and services. Mediate and resolve issues related to accommodations and services in a timely and effective manner.
• Professional Development: Stay current on relevant laws, regulations, best practices, and technological advancements in the field of disability services in higher education. Participate in professional development activities to enhance skills and knowledge relevant to supporting students with disabilities in a community college setting like Gavilan.