Coordinator - Access Center

COORDINATOR – ACCESS CENTER

MALCOLM X COLLEGE

City Colleges of Chicago (CCC), the largest community college system in Illinois, is made up of seven colleges and five satellite sites, providing more than 70,000 students each year access to a quality, affordable education.

City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) makes every effort to integrate students with disabilities into all courses and programs, in accordance with the American with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and with the goal of helping students with disabilities succeed in their academic pursuits. Disability Access Centers(DAC), located at each of the colleges, coordinate and provide a variety of supportive services to students with documented disabilities. These supportive services include classroom accommodations, note takers, exam proctors, transcribers, sign language interpreters and access to a wide range adaptive technology and equipment.

Job Summary

Under general supervision and reporting to a Director, Special Needs Center, a Coordinator-Access Center is responsible for assisting the Director in administering the day to day operations of the DAC, coordinating and ensuring the provision of supportive services to enrolled students with documented disabilities to ensure equal access to all of CCC’s programs and services. Performs related duties as required.

Essential Duties

• Schedules staff (note takers, sign language interpreters, readers/scribes) and prioritizes the assignment of staff to students to ensure the efficient allocation of available resources. Advises Director of insufficient staff to meet students’ support service needs and recommends alternatives and solutions.
• Assists in implementing procedures to address issues of quality, improve support to students with disabilities and increase the effectiveness of DAC’s programs and services.
• Monitors and oversees the conversion of textbooks, handouts, tests and other materials by DAC staff into electronic formats, Braille and large print materials with the use of various software programs.
• Maintains inventory of assistive technology equipment and arranges for servicing of equipment as needed. Researches and recommends the purchase of new assistive technology equipment to meet identified student needs.
• Provides training and assistance to DAC staff and students with disabilities on the use of assistive technology and equipment located in DAC (i.e. braille equipment, talking pens, video magnifiers, screen reading aids, recording devices).
• Reviews disability documentation and service eligibility records on file with returning students with disabilities (on a semester basis or as requested) to ensure accommodations and support services continue to be appropriate to the specific disability. Makes appropriate adjustments to individual accommodation and service plans as needed.
• Works collaboratively with Director in monitoring the progress of students through the semester and assessing the quality of services being provided by DAC. Conducts student satisfaction surveys, informal student meetings and meets with students’ instructors and college advisors
• Provides direct services to students arriving at the DAC in need of support services. Proctors exams and assists the Director in monitoring staff proctoring exams to students to maintain the integrity of test administration process. Ensures appropriate assistive methods are used by staff in administering tests to students.
• Maintains awareness of best practices for students with disabilities in higher education.
• Participates in workshops to provide information on DAC functions, issues affecting students with disabilities in higher education, available resources for students with disabilities, and related topics. Participates in college recruitment events to provide information on services available to students with disabilities through the DAC.
• Prepares and disseminates communications to faculty informing them of accommodations needed for students with disabilities enrolled in their classes. Consults with faculty to respond to questions and resolve in-class accommodation issues.
• Assists in implementing individual accommodation plans for students. Responds to and resolves students’ concern regarding services including support (note taker, interpreter), accommodations in the classroom, use of adaptive technology, and related issues.

Qualifications

Education, Training and Experience

• A combination of education and experience may be taken into consideration based on the applicant’s credentials.
• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Education, Rehabilitation, Counseling, Psychology, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience working with individuals with disabilities.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• Two years of professional work experience working with students with disabilities in a post-secondary institution.
• Demonstrated experience in interpreting and applying Section 504 and the ADA in a higher education setting.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Knowledge, Skills and Ability

• Trong problem-solving skills
• Excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work within a culturally diverse environment
• Ability to maintain positive working relationships with students, faculty, and colleagues.
• Deep knowledge of requirements of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as it relates to reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities.
• Good knowledge of adaptive technology and equipment.
• Deep Knowledge of support services that address the unique needs of students with psychological, learning, visual, hearing, mobility and other types of disabilities.
• Ability to exercise tact and diplomacy in handling sensitive situations
• Strong organizational skills
• Good Knowledge of functional limitations relating to chronic health conditions and disabilities.

Working Conditions

• General office environment

Equipment

• Standard office equipment including computers and peripheral equipment
• Assistive technology and equipment for people with disabilities

Physical Requirements

• Technologically Informed –Capable user of technology who understands the role of technology in the institution and who will guide and support its efficient and effective use
• Dependability –Demonstrates reliability, responsibility, and dependability and fulfill obligations.
• Initiative–Demonstrates willingness to take on responsibilities and job challenges
• Ability to operate computers and related equipment and software Worker Characteristics
• Judgment and Decision Making –Consider the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one

For the third time in you years, Malcolm X College was selected as a Promising Places to Work in Community Colleges award winner! The award is given by the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD), a membership organization committed to promoting and celebrating excellence in teaching and leadership at community and technical colleges, and Diverse: Issues in Higher Education, a leading academic publication.

MXC was recognized for its best-in-class student and staff recruitment and retention practices, inclusive learning and working environments, and meaningful community service and engagement opportunities

Chicago residency is required within six (6) months for all full-time employees.

We are an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

Thank you for your interest in City Colleges of Chicago!

Additional Information

• Salary Range: $55,000