Accessible Learning Advisor, CAL Services

Job Description

GENERAL STATEMENT
Under the direction of the Associate Director, Centre for Accessible Learning and with minimal supervision, the Accessible Learning Advisor, CAL Services, provides students, prospective students, schools, and community agencies with information and assistance as it relates to access, services and programs for students who face disabilities and also provides ongoing educational supports and accommodations. This includes collecting confidential information related to the students’ disabilities and previous educational supports, making appropriate referrals; assisting with government funding grant applications, and providing ongoing assistance with specialized technology, adaptive/interpreting services, and case management.Travel between campuses and evening and/or weekend work may be required.
TYPICAL DUTIES
Working with students with a wide variety of disabilities (eg hearing, visual, physical, neurological, mental health or cognitive), the A/L Advisor, Services:

• Provides relevant and current information to students with documented disabilities, teachers, parents and other interested groups on available educational supports, programs, services and academic accommodations;
• Guides and refers students to appropriate college and community information sources/resources; provides and clarifies information relating to educational opportunities;
• Consults with other educational providers such as community agencies and secondary schools to assist students in accessing programs and services; tracks and follows up with appropriate department faculty and staff as required;
• Collaborates with Centre for Accessible Learning faculty in the development and support of the student’s accommodated educational plan including appropriate academic accommodations, technology and program faculty follow-up; as well as collaborates with program faculty upon student referrals;
• Assists students in crisis or unique situations, assess situation, brainstorms, strategizes explores options with student, develops an action plan, and makes appropriate referral;
• Coordinates early registration for students with complex accommodations and specialized funding;
• Facilitates the tutoring process for students including collaborating with accessible learning faculty on appropriate tutors, assisting with funding requests, ministry applications and reimbursements, and maintaining tutor database;
• Collects pertinent data including previous school records, educational, psychological or medical; documentation to assist with college educational accommodations;
• In conjunction with the student, collects data for external service applications including psychological or medical documentation, educational records, funding forms, and arranges telephone conference calls, emails information to agencies, and follow-up with statistics;
• Introduces students to specialized equipment and technology (for example: FM systems, scanners, Zoom Text, height adjustable equipment, voice recognition technology);
• Maintains a variety of records and statistics and coordinates procedures for lending adaptive equipment and software; receives and tracks Physical Access Requests to completion;
• Assists with the implementation of adaptations and adaptive equipment as it relates to educational accommodations and course material;
• Collaborates with Information Technology Services on computer and technology matters pertaining to accessible learning computers;
• Provides basic troubleshooting for a variety of computer hardware/software technical difficulties as required;
• Orders and maintains inventory of adaptive equipment and software, furniture, classroom aides, and ensures upgrades are performed in a timely manner; and inventory is secured safely and appropriately;
• Collaborates regularly with Student Affairs and Facilities Services regarding student issues;
• Participates in the development of effective department practices and procedures;
• Develops and maintains applicable reference manuals, materials and forms;
• Liaises with Centre for Accessible Post-Secondary Education Resources BC (CAPER-BC) to ensure provision of appropriate resources for students with print disabilities; this includes determining materials required, ordering available materials in correct format, producing materials not available, ordering technology to support material, coordinating orders with library, and ensuring students receive materials prior to course start date;
• Supports interpreting and real-time transcribing services, including liaising with accessible learning faculty, scheduling, and participating in the hiring of interpreters and transcribers, maintains applicable database, and provides functional supervision/orientation, and participates in the on-going evaluation of interpreters and transcribers;
• Develops and conducts small group presentations at the college, during school visits and for community members;
• Plans and coordinates accessible learning activities at college-wide events (eg Open House, Info sessions);
• Participates on college committees as required;
• Operates TDD (telecommunications device for the deaf);
• May assist with exam accommodations, when directed by Associate Director;
• Performs other related duties of similar scope and complexity.
• The responsibilities of this role are shared among a team of Accessible Learning Advisors. We are currently seeking an individual with expertise or a strong interest in alternate format production along with an aptitude for technology.

Qualifications A Bachelor degree in special education or other relevant focus and two years’ experience working directly with adults with a wide range of disabilities in a post-secondary setting and six months of which are supervisory experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience in issues facing persons with disabilities accessing post-secondary education including educational accommodations,
• Proven experience with a wide range of adaptive equipment and community resources for adults with disabilities; and proven experience with using relevant software and technology to support students with disabilities;
• Excellent interpersonal skills including effective listening, the ability to multitask in a diverse environment, the ability to exercise sound judgment, and to make independent decisions that support the interests of students, the department, and the college.

Supporting Truth & Reconciliation Commission's Recommendations Capabilities The core capabilities are required for all positions at the college.
Focus on Students and Their Success (Core)

• We all have a role to play in promoting and supporting students – directly or indirectly – contributing to their success, education and transition as they build their path to the future.

Cultural Alignment (Core)

• Inclusion and respect align with Camosun’s traditions of lifelong learning and positive, supportive experiences for all. We examine our individual and institutional cultures and, through indigenization, consider other ways of knowing (thinking), being (approaches), doing (acting), and relating.

Fostering and Nurturing Relationships (Core)

• Fostering and nurturing relationships is at the core of everything we do. Successful workplace relationships take time to develop and include building trust, engagement and collaboration.