Communication Access Coordinator

Job no: 528656
Work type: Staff Full Time
Location: UMass Amherst
Department: Disability Services
Union: PSU
Categories: Student Affairs & Services

The flagship of the Commonwealth, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a nationally ranked public land‑grant research university that seeks to expand educational access, fuel innovation and creativity, and share and use its knowledge for the common good. Founded in 1863, UMass Amherst sits on nearly 1,450‑acres in scenic Western Massachusetts and boasts state‑of‑the‑art facilities for teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activity.

The institution advances a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where everyone feels connected and valued—and thrives, and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees across 10 schools and colleges, and 100 undergraduate majors. We believe every member of our university community can contribute to our ongoing success by striving for the highest level of excellence as we seek breakthrough solutions to mounting environmental, social, economic, and technological challenges in our world.

The Communication Access Coordinator supports a caseload of students with a wide range of disabilities and temporary impairments by facilitating an interactive process of determining eligibility for appropriate accommodations and ensuring individuals with disabilities receive appropriate accommodation, adjustments, and modifications as mandated by federal, state, and local laws. Primarily works with Deaf/HOH (hard of hearing) students but also serves as a generalist for students with disabilities.

• Meets with all registered Deaf/HOH students to ensure appropriate communication access accommodations are addressed based on the disability, context and setting for full access to academic, residential and student life needs.
• Trains faculty and student supervisors on how best to implement communication access accommodations in the academic and work environment.
• Manages a diverse caseload of University students and campus visitors with a range of disabilities and accommodation requirements.
• Serves as the primary contact for students and relevant campus stakeholders.
• Interprets medical, psychological, and/or educational documentation to determine appropriate accommodation eligibility. Facilitates accommodation plans for multiple settings.
• Responsible for maintaining a staff of qualified interpreters (temporary staff) and other qualified communication access professionals to address time sensitive assignments for students. Provides training and oversight to all interpreters to address the provision of communication access for students who are Deaf/HOH or have diagnosed auditory processing learning disabilities.
• Supervises set‑up and maintenance of equipment for students and equipment loans.
• Works with DS (Disability Services) Clerk to provide info on interpreter rates, ordering equipment and data relevant to budget transfers when needed.
• Identifies and provides developmentally appropriate support, advocacy, counseling, and referrals for a range of academic, professional, social, psychological, and medical concerns.
• Evaluates and prioritizes case management demands.
• Maintains contact notes, collects work output data, generates notifications of accommodation eligibility, and produces performance reports.
• Responsible for clear and timely communication via email, letters, memos, and telephone.
• Supports the general operation of Disability Services and the promotion of broad disability awareness, access, and inclusivity.
• Interprets and communicates relevant disability legislation and University policies and procedures to students, employees, instructors, faculty, and management.
• Exercises sound professional and ethical judgment to informally resolve questions and concerns pertaining to accommodations, modifications, and related disability matters.
• Represents Disability Services at University and departmental events, including open house events, new student orientation, resource fairs and commencement.
• Develops and maintains effective working relationships within the work…