Bennington College is currently accepting applications for a Director of Student Accessibility Services to join the dynamic and highly collaborative Office of the Provost and Office of Student Life in their ongoing work to ensure a vibrant academic and residential life at the college and a robust system of student support.  

The Director of Student Accessibility Services is responsible for directing and maintaining all aspects of reasonable accommodation service delivery to students with accessibility needs. The Director serves as the College's ADA Coordinator.  In order to provide students with documented disabilities with access to all aspects of academic, residential, and co-curricular life at the college, the Director’s work includes reviewing requests for accommodations and relevant disability documentation; consulting with students, faculty, and staff colleagues on implementation of approved accommodations; and working closely with colleagues across campus to improve accessibility to facilities and programs as needed.  

General Responsibilities

 Compliance

• Ensure that the College operates in compliance with ADA regulations by engagement with current developments and discourse in the field (review of research and policy updates, engagement with the Association on Higher Education and Disability, etc.)

General

• Review applications for disability accommodations and determine reasonable accommodations.   

• Maintain accurate and timely records of accommodations requests and approvals.

• Maintain working understanding of College programs, policies, and resources and refer students as appropriate.

Academic

• Review academic accommodation requests; speak with students requesting accommodations; follow-up with providers when needed; and approve reasonable academic accommodations. 

• Support faculty in the college’s undergraduate and Master’s programs as they implement approved academic accommodations, particularly in situations where appropriate implementation requires assessment of the fundamental goals of the course and/or adjustment of instructional approaches.   

• Serve as a resource to faculty as they determine how best to implement approved accommodations, including support in program or curricular modification, universal instructional design, learning strategies, adaptive/assistive technology and equipment, material in alternative media, note-taking, testing, and scribe;

• Act as liaison between faculty, faculty advisors, and students to address issues as they arise.

• Collaborate with colleagues the Academic Services and Field Work Term offices, as needed, to address accessibility questions/needs

Student Life

• Review and analyze accommodation requests for co-curricular accommodations; speak with students requesting housing accommodations; follow up with providers when needed; and make recommendations to the College regarding housing accommodations. 

• Meet with students, families, and staff to resolve issues related to housing and dining accommodations, accessibility concerns, information about specific disabilities, and the rights and responsibilities of these constituencies relative to the mandates of relevant laws.

• Meet regularly with the Vice President and Dean of Student Life (or designee) to ensure effective collaboration with the Office of Student Life. 

• Provide consultation to College staff in Student Life, Dining Services, and Buildings and Grounds regarding complex accommodation requests. 

• Work with and support Admissions on student outreach ensuring prospective students are informed of all accessibility services at the College.

Consulting/Campus/Programming

• Coordinate with deans, faculty and administrators to develop College policies and procedures that support increased accessibility for students with disabilities.

• Provide training to College staff and faculty regarding best practices in ADA accommodation processes and implementation. 

• Coordinate with the Director of Special Events, faculty, and program coordinators to ensure accessibility at college events.

• Remain up-to-date regarding laws, regulations and best practices in accessibility by engaging in ongoing professional development and sharing those best practices with the college community.

Bennington serves a diverse student population inclusive of members of ethnically/racially minoritized, international, LGBTQIA+, and disability communities as well as diverse gender identities, socioeconomic backgrounds, religions, and political beliefs. Our staff and faculty also reflect diverse and intersecting backgrounds and identities. All employees are expected to be respectful and responsive to these differences in the service of building community that promotes student and employee success and community cohesiveness. Each individual (faculty, staff and students) will be accountable for upholding these values. The College’s approach to pluralism and inclusivity—both as fields of inquiry and practice—is to prioritize flexible thought, and to invite the examination of access, value, power, and privilege through its institutional policies and areas of study. We encourage applicants from diverse realms of interest, backgrounds, experience, and accomplishment to apply.

This position will commence on/around July 1, 2024.

Qualifications

General qualifications should include:    

• Bachelor’s degree required with an advanced degree strongly preferred.  Minimum five years experience working directly with students in an educational setting. Classroom teaching experience is preferred; 

• Experience working with students with disabilities as well as knowledge of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the ADA (American Disabilities Act);

• Experience interpreting diagnostic documentation and determining reasonable accommodations in accordance with state and federal law;   

• Ability to engage with students of diverse interests, backgrounds, and experiences in ways that are meaningful and genuine. Superior interpersonal skills as well as excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential to maintain good relations and open communication with students and colleagues;

• Demonstrated commitment to supporting students through a collaborative and team-oriented approach ;

• Sound problem solving and decision-making skills, flexibility, and creativity;  

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with demonstrated ability to juggle multiple, at-times competing, tasks and to work independently;

• Strong research and computer skills, including Google Docs, MS Word, MS Excel and email applications. 

The position requires successful completion and acceptable results of a background check.

The College