Accommodation Consultant

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This position is a temporary contract Term 1 year.

Job Description:

Primary Purpose

The Accommodation Consultant is accountable to the Senior Accommodation Consultant for the clinical assessment development and implementation of individualized academic accommodation plans for students with disabilities conditions and/or trauma registered with AccessAbility Services based on individual assessments. The Accommodation Consultant is a Subject Matter Expert on Academic Accommodations as it relates to the University community overseeing compliance and mitigating risk with the Universitys responsibilities under the Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC) and its regulations. The incumbent assesses medical documentation and psycho-educational assessments and conducts clinical interviews with students registered with AccessAbility Services to explore how the disability or disabling condition affects access to learning and the learning environment. The incumbent applies this information in combination with Ministry requirements provincial law industry standards and clinical judgement to design and facilitate an individualized accommodation plan that ensures the University of Waterloo is fulfilling its legal duty to accommodate. The Accommodation Consultant works closely with faculty to ensure academic accommodations are implemented and to ensure accommodations uphold academic integrity and the essential requirements of a specific courses and/or program. Collaboration with other campus partners including faculty Academic Advisors Career Advisors Counselling Services Health Services Student Success Office and the Writing Centre is critical to providing holistic support to students.

Key Accountabilities

Developing individualized academic accommodation plans

Reviewing and assessing student medical documentation and psycho-educational reports to assist in the development of an accommodation plan for students with mental health disabilities learning disabilities medical disabilities acquired brain injuries ADHD and trauma.

Using medical documentation clinical judgement and decision making Ministry requirements provincial legislation and standards of practice to design appropriate and individualized academic accommodation plans on a temporary or ongoing basis

Conducting bio-psycho-social interviews with students to determine how their functional limitations influence an academic need for accommodation

Counselling students on academic accommodations as it relates to their disability

Screening (for suspected disabilities learning disabilities mental health and ADHD) and making referrals to appropriate services

Ongoing clinical assessments of students to determine any changes in condition and accommodations requirements (such as academic recovery planning) as well any identification of any internal/external supports

Reviewing course delivery to assess the impact the disability may have in accessing education

Using clinical judgement and Ministry guidelines to assess student eligibility and verify need for specialized funding that supports accommodation

Provides consultations with faculty to ensure accommodations are appropriate for the course/program. If accommodation interferes with the essential requirements of a course/program the Accommodation Consultant will negotiate with instructors and students to determine an alternative accommodation that will ensure the needs of the students are met while maintaining course/program integrity

Suggesting modifications to faculty regarding curriculum when deemed appropriate in order to ensure material is accessible and that accommodations are upheld

The consultant provides risk mitigation by ensuring accommodations are being implemented as outlined in the OHRC

Abiding by all legislative and university policies relevant to accommodations planning (e.g. AODA Ontario Human Rights) and privacy legislation (PHIPA)

Facilitate academic accommodations

Provide coordination between students faculty academic advisors/coordinators and other campus partners regarding the provision of accommodations and student support

Collaborate with AccessAbility Services Adaptive Technologist and Learning Strategist to ensure students learning needs are supported

Generate accommodation summaries for students upon request for use with petitions appeals or ongoing education

Consult with other post-secondary institutions regarding accommodation history and or future needs

Using clinical judgement to consider (and mitigate) the implications of other variables on the accommodation process including whether the student is an international student graduate students cooperative education students and so forth

Ongoing Consulting on Complex Disability-related Issues/Needs

Consulting with students and advising around complex issues related to specific disabilities

Working closely with other units (e.g. faculties Health Services Counselling Services) to provide holistic care and support for students in crisis or requiring additional support

Using clinical judgement to refer student to on and off campus support services including referrals for psycho-educational assessments counselling and academic support

Consulting with students seeking to appeal (petitions) and/or defer exams on the basis of disability

Using clinical judgement to make recommendations to instructors/department regarding these issues

Working with students to develop the skills necessary to self-advocate and access campus/community resources that can support their academic success

The Consultant is committed to best clinical practice regarding academic accommodations and disabilities and remains current with research ethical considerations and evidence-based practice.

Collaboration with Partners and Stakeholders

Providing recommendations and decisions to various campus partners regarding academic accommodations to directly ensure the University is meeting the duty to accommodate under the OHRC.

Collaborating with campus partners to provide seamless service provision including Counselling Services Health Services Writing and Communications Centre and Student Success office

Collaborating with campus partners to ensure accommodations are appropriately facilitated including plant operations Waterloo Housing and Residences and the Registrars Office

Collaboration with auxiliary service providers offering support services (e.g. transcriptionists interpreters)

Working with Student Awards and Financial Aid office to facilitate applications to the Bursary for Students with Disabilities

Providing potential applicants with information related to services and accommodations supported by the office

Utilize proactive professional and effective communications strategies with students registered with the

office as well as the general student body parents instructors and other key stakeholders as appropriate

Handling Sensitive Materials

Ensure access to secure documents are controlled appropriately

Ensure data accuracy and document integrity

Appropriately use and maintain confidential health and education records in accordance with University policy and relevant Privacy legislation

Effectively use systems and technology to manage student medical information accurately and efficiently

Direct the return of clinical records to the intended party in a secure manner (appropriate storage and movement of confidential documents) when needed

Required Qualifications

Education

Graduate degree in Social Work Rehabilitation Sciences Health Sciences Education Psychology or related field is required

Individual must be registered with a professional college/society recognized in Ontario

Experience

Experience in a student-focused (secondary or post-secondary school context) environment

Experience providing accommodations academic support or services to persons with disabilities preferably postsecondary students with disabilities

Experience and/or training in supporting persons in crisis and securing appropriate support preferably in a postsecondary environment

Experience working with individuals that have experienced complex mental health and trauma

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Working knowledge of the Registered Health Professionals Act (1991) and/or the Social Work and Social Service Work Act (1998) and control acts

Strong knowledge on trauma-informed practice

Working knowledge of privacy regulations

Familiarity with the implications of specific disabilities at the post-secondary level

An understanding of how the symptoms or functional limitations of a disability interferes with an individuals daily functioning

Proven ability to work independently and as a team member in a busy and inter-disciplinary environment

Excellent communication (oral and written) skills

Superior organizational problem-solving and interpersonal skills required

Proven ability to provide solution-focused interventions

Negotiation and mediation skills is an asset

Basic knowledge of MS Word Excel and PowerPoint

Familiarity using databases for case management

A clear vulnerable sector check is required

Equity Statement

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research learning teaching and community building and is coordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students faculty and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity anti-racism and inclusion. As such we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized including applicants who identify as First Nations Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit) Black racialized a person with a disability women and/or 2SLGBTQ.

Positions are open to qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada.

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application interview or workplace accommodation requests please contact Human Resources or ext. 45935.