Access Consultant

Department: University Life,Disability Services

Classification: Professional Faculty

Job Category:Administrative or Professional Faculty

Job Type:Full-Time

Work Schedule:Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type:Hybrid Eligible

Sponsorship Eligibility:Not eligible for visa sponsorship

Salary:Anticipated salary range starting low $60k; commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check:Yes

About the Department:

Disability Services supports qualified students with disabilities in participating fully in George Mason University’s programs and services. A qualified student with a disability is a student with a disability who meets the academic and technical standards required for admission or participation in the university's education program and services. As defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, a person has a disability if the person has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, has a record of such an impairment, or is regarded as having such an impairment.

Disability Services is committed to upholding the letter and spirit of the laws, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Disability Services strives to foster partnerships with students, faculty, and staff to create welcoming and supportive environments that enable all members of the university community to participate.

About the Position:

The Access Consultant reports directly to the Assistant Director of Disability Services and works collaboratively with students to determine reasonable and appropriate accommodations and services to which they are entitled under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Using independent judgment and professional expertise, the Access Consultant works closely with students, faculty, university stakeholders, parents and families, and community members to support an accessible environment. The Access Consultant also serves on university committees, representing disability and accessibility-related issues and concerns, and contributes to initiatives that promote campus accessibility, disability awareness, and effective practices that support participation for individuals with disabilities.

• Establishes and manages individualized accommodation plans for students with disabilities by reviewing and interpreting confidential medical and psychological documentation, determining eligibility, and identifying reasonable accommodations in accordance with applicable laws and university policies;
• Monitors the effectiveness of approved accommodations through communication with students and relevant university stakeholders and modifies accommodation plans as appropriate based on changes in student needs;
• Maintains accurate and confidential student records in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) to protect student privacy and support regulatory compliance; and
• Facilitates the implementation of approved accommodations by collaborating with students, faculty, and university stakeholders to reduce barriers and ensure students with disabilities have equitable opportunities to participate and succeed.

• Serves as a subject matter resource and liaison to faculty, staff, students, and campus partners on disability-related accommodations, accessibility, and Disability Services processes and effective practices;
• Responds to questions and concerns and consults on the implementation of approved accommodations to clarify roles and responsibilities and supports compliance with applicable disability laws and university policies;
• Collaborates with campus partners to assess accommodation and accessibility concerns, evaluates available options, recommends appropriate solutions that address identified needs, and supports students’ participation in university programs, services, and activities;
• Develops and delivers presentations, training sessions, workshops, and other educational programs for faculty, staff, students, and campus and community partners on disability services, accommodation processes, disability-related responsibilities, universal design, accessibility, and effective practices to increase…