Disability Service Advisor & Adaptive Technology Specialist - Center for Students with Disabilities - 17711

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ATTENTION:

The Center for Students with Disabilities at the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater seeks a Disability Service Advisor & Adaptive Technology Specialist (Disability Services Advisor, EI001).

This will be a fixed-term annual appointment and reappointment for subsequent terms is dependent upon needs of the position, university funding and external forces.

JOB DETAILS:

The Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) Adaptive Technology Specialist (ATS) supports the integration of students with disabilities into the UW-Whitewater community by ensuring equal access to all university print and electronic instructional materials. The Adaptive Technology Specialist will coordinate the production and distribution of alternative format materials including (but not limited to) Braille, PDF, text, Kurzweil, large print and tactile graphics to eligible students. The Adaptive Technology Specialist manages the alternative text production process and ensures quality control of the conversion process.

The ATS is additionally responsible for:

1. Maintaining the accommodation management system
2. Assessing student adaptive technology needs (low to high).
3. Recommending appropriate and cost- effective adaptive technology to enhance access.
4. Providing training on adaptive technology.
5. Ensuring that the available adaptive technology, accessible instructional materials, and the various hardware and software involved in the delivery of CSD support services meet the functional needs of the student.
6. Managing and providing vision for the CSD Assistive Technology/Adaptive computer lab.
7. Providing leadership and expertise in electronic access issues related to web and other electronic resources and provides technical support.
8. Providing liaison services with the four colleges’ technology staff and campus Information and Technology division (iCIT).
9. Supervision of student staff and interns.
10. Working with faculty and staff to determine technological interventions, integration and processes that assist in maintaining an accessible learning environment.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in vocational rehabilitation, special education, social work, or related field

Desired Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Technology, Rehabilitation Engineering, Computer Science, Rehabilitation Counseling, Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, Special Education, or a related field
• Two years working with Adaptive Technology in the field of education or disability services

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• The ability to prioritize and manage the two unique components of the job: adaptive technology and direct student services
• Experience working on a team, communicating effectively
• Organizational and time management skills to balance numerous responsibilities
• Computer and written skills for completing reports, proposals, presentations and resource memos
• Experience with basic data collection and analysis
• Experience with developing and giving presentations to groups
• Excellent interpersonal skills. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to work independently and collaboratively. Ability to participate and contribute to team processes at the student, unit, division and institutional level
• Knowledge of Section 504, 508, ADA, ADAA, WCAG 1.0 & 2.0
• CSUN Assistive Technology Applications Certificate Program (ATACP) certificate of completion or RESNA Assistive Technology Practitioner Certificate (ATP) preferred. Knowledge of electronic records keeping technology and processes preferred
• Willingness and ability to be an active participant in following applicable safety rules and regulations including necessary training and drills
• Ability to interact respectfully with people from diverse socioeconomic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Direct Services/DSC

1. Provide information, referral, and support to enrolled students with disabilities; experience with visual disorders, complex physical disabilities and/or those who utilize adaptive technology preferred.
2. Conduct intake appointments with students with visual disorders or complex physical disabilities: i) collect and review disability documentation, consulting with clinicians as needed, ii) determine eligibility for services, iii) evaluate student access needs, and iv), allocate resources accordingly.
3. Facilitate communication between faculty, staff, and enrolled students with disabilities on access and accommodation issues.
4. Provide on-going consultation and problem-solving assistance to faculty and staff in the provision of appropriate services and accommodations.
5. Assist students in understanding their disabilities and their legal rights and responsibilities.
6. Promote student self-advocacy, independence and development.
7. Create, organize and maintain up-to-date electronic and paper records.
8. Maintain strict confidentiality in verbal and written communications.
9. Interpret and fairly apply departmental and institutional policies and procedures as they pertain to student service use.

Adaptive Technology Program Management

1. Evaluate, procure, install, configure, maintain, troubleshoot, and update a variety of hardware and software involved in the delivery of support services such as remote captioning, C-Print, Dragon NaturallySpeaking, Brailling Software (e.g. Duxbury), JAWS, Kurzweil 3000 and ZoomText.
2. Function as a resource to staff in the use and suitability of technology solutions for individuals with disabilities.
3. Evaluate needs and train users on appropriate hardware and software involved in the delivery of their support services.
4. Train and supervise the Alternative Media Graduate Assistant and associated student and volunteer staff on the use of adaptive technology for document conversation and alternative testing purposes.
5. Hire, train and supervise student workers in adaptive computer lab.
6. Problem-solve electronic access issues related to web and other electronic resources for students using adaptive technology.
7. Make appropriate recommendations on the purchase of new adaptive technology and current best practices in teaching and learning with technology.
8. Work with campus technology partners to ensure campus-wide electronic accessibility through representation of current issues and needs and other related committee structures and processes.
9. Coordinate adaptive technology loan program.
10. Communicate with university departments and facilities regarding assistive technology needs.
11. Promote universal design for instruction and design throughout campus.
12. Stay abreast of legislation and national, state, and local issues affecting access for students with disabilities.
13. Stay abreast of new ways of delivering print and electronic materials in accessible formats and new sources of accessible books and other learning materials.
14. Stay abreast of copyright issues involved in the document conversion process.
15. Stay abreast of emerging technologies.
16. Other duties as assigned.
17. Liaison with iCIT department, college technology liaisons, and other campus partners.

CAMPUS INFORMATION:

Founded in 1868, UW–Whitewater is one of eleven comprehensive universities in Wisconsin’s public higher education system that also includes two doctoral institutions and a statewide Extension. UW-Whitewater’s main campus is located in Whitewater, with a branch campus in Rock County, in the city of Janesville. Together, these campuses form a preeminent academic institution driven by the pursuit of knowledge, powered by a spirit of innovation, and focused on transforming lives. UW-Whitewater’s campuses are located conveniently near Milwaukee, Madison, and Chicago, and thus offer the advantage of beautiful small-town environments with easy access to the cultural and commercial opportunities of major metropolitan areas.

The Warhawk family — led by caring faculty and staff — is devoted to student success within a broad range of academic programs offered at the associate, bachelor, master, and doctoral levels. These include both on-campus and online programs, and span the disciplines, from the theoretical to the applied, and encompass study in the arts, business, education, humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, technology, and professional and interdisciplinary programs.

UW-Whitewater has a special mission within the UW System to serve students with disabilities and, as such, embraces the principles of universal design and is one of the most accessible campuses in the nation. The campuses have more than 200 student organizations and UW-Whitewater’s intercollegiate athletic teams compete at the NCAA Division-III level. UW-Whitewater is committed to seeking and sustaining a culturally and ethnically diverse campus environment, building a diverse faculty and staff with expertise and interest in serving students with diverse needs, backgrounds, ethnicities, abilities and other distinct characteristics in respectful, sensitive and understanding ways. The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, and actively seeks and encourages applications from women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and veterans.

ORGANIZATION INFORMATION:

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is part of the 13-campus University of Wisconsin System (https://www.wisconsin.edu).

Wisconsin Statute 19.36(7)(b) provides that applicants may indicate in writing that their identity should be kept confidential. In response to a public records request, the University will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful final candidate will be released. See Wisconsin Statute 19.36(7)(a).

Per Regent Policy Document 20-19, University of Wisconsin System Criminal Background Check Policy and UW System Administrative Policy 1275 Recruitment Policies, UW-Whitewater requires criminal background checks as a contingency to employment. A criminal background check will be conducted prior to an offer of employment. All final candidates must be asked, prior to hire, whether they have been found to have engaged in, are currently under investigation for, or left employment during an active investigation in which they were accused of sexual violence or sexual harassment. When obtaining employment reference checks, these same sexual violence or sexual harassment questions must also be asked.

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater requires that all employees be active participants in following applicable safety rules and regulations including necessary training and drills.

For UW-Whitewater Campus safety information and crime statistics/annual Security Report, see http://www.uww.edu/asfr. If you would like a paper copy of the report please contact the UW-Whitewater Police at 262-472-4660.

Compensation and Benefits:

UW System employees receive an excellent benefit package. To learn more about the UW System’s comprehensive benefit package, review the UW System Employee Benefits Brochure.

SPECIAL NOTES:

UW-Whitewater embraces AAC&U’s LEAP principles (http://www.uww.edu/leap) and emphasizes student, staff and faculty participation in High-Impact Practices (https://www.aacu.org/resources/high-impact-practices). The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (http://www.uww.edu/orsp) provides support for faculty scholarly and creative activities as well as other opportunities to apply for reassigned time and/or other resources to support research activities. UW-Whitewater faculty and staff also have access to technology transfer and research resources provided by WiSys (https://www.wisys.org).

CONDITIONS OF APPOINTMENT:

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources. UW-Whitewater is not an e-verify employer, therefore STEM extensions are not options for work authorization.

TO ENSURE CONSIDERATION:

Applications received by 12/1/2021 are ensured full consideration. Applications received after that date may be given consideration at the discretion of the search committee. The most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process.

If you have questions regarding this recruitment or if you are unable to complete the application online due to a disability or system problem, please contact us at (262) 472-1072 or hrstudent@uww.edu.

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Julie Lazzeroni
Financial Specialist
262-472-4711
lazzeroj@uww.edu

TO APPLY:

Only complete application packages will be considered. This includes online submission of the following documents:

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Name and contact information for three professional references
• Unofficial Transcripts

This Job ID is 17711

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