Accessibility Coordinator

Position Title

Accessibility Coordinator

The Accessibility Coordinator plays an integral role in supporting the success and retention of current Red Deer Polytechnic students with barriers, such as disabilities. They do this through reducing barriers, advocacy, assessment, case management, and the provision of accommodations. Accessibility Coordinators work with prospective students in support of their transition to higher education. The Coordinator promotes an accessible, inclusive, equitable and supportive learning environment for students and reports to the Associate Dean, Career Education & Experience Development.

The position contributes to initiatives that promote mental health and overall well-being within the RDP learning community.

• Identify and assess the impacting barriers and needs of students and collaborate with them to develop action plans, accommodations, and recommendations to support their success as a learner at RDP.
• Gather and file necessary information for each student registered with Accessibility Services (e.g., documentation, observations, background history).
• Determine the need for individualized emergency planning and/or medical support for students while on campus and communicate requirements to appropriate service areas and instructors.
• Assess student aid disability funding eligibility, provide information on eligible funding options and support current students in applying for funding (federal and provincial grants, bursaries, awards, Disability Tax Credit).
• Represent RDP as a designated school official/reviewer for Schedule 4 applications by reviewing applications and documents, and reconciling previous submissions.
• Assess the rationale for equipment and services; identify any implications for an approved reduced course load.
• Collaborate and liaise with other RDP staff as part of a multidisciplinary team to support students with multiple barriers.
• Use evidence‑based screening tools to support needs assessment and referrals.
• Review medical, psychological, and educational intervention documentation to assess impacting barriers and needs.
• Provide information and support to prospective students with barriers to learning, including application process guidance and transition support.
• Support students to anticipate potential difficulties achieving program requirements and identify strategies to address related challenges.
• Support students to develop self‑advocacy and navigation skills.
• Collaborate with Testing Services to create and regularly review the standard offering of testing accommodations available through the Test Centre.
• Provide exam/testing accommodations for students with acute needs or complex situations as necessary.
• Maintain appropriate and confidential file management practices following POPA, AITA guidelines and other legal requirements.
• Develop and implement reports in the data system.
• Liaise with IT Services and software developers to troubleshoot errors and update the database.
• Assist with collection, organization, and provision of data in response to POPA, AITA and other requests.
• Develop and maintain efficient communication, file management, data collection, and change management processes.
• Understand and recommend a variety of assistive technologies, resources, referrals, and reference materials to support diverse learner needs.
• Remain current with applications and trends regarding assistive technologies.
• Support integration for accommodated students utilizing Testing Services by maintaining efficient communication, data collection, and change management processes.
• Participate in recruitment and selection of Support Services staff such as Sign Language Interpreters and Academic Aides, and provide guidance and training.
• Participate and contribute to review of contract proposals for assistive service provision (e.g., Sign Language Interpreters, CART services).
• Monitor and report outcomes of accessibility initiatives and projects in line with operational goals.
• Collaborate with the Centre for Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship to support instructors implementing Universal Design for Learning.
• Liaise with other Polytechnic departments…