Accessibility Advisor

Fanshawe College thrives because of its people. We foster a culture of excellence and see opportunities to turn potential into impact. Leading with empathy, belonging, unity, learning and courage, we guide the learning journey of our students, ensuring they are ready for work and life, today and tomorrow.

Fanshawe College is committed to the principles of hybrid work and may offer this option to employees whose work can be performed in an alternate location, without adverse impact to the operations of the College, inclusive of our Student and Staff experience. Confirmation of hybrid work options available to you will be clarified upon hire and may be subject to change based on the duties required of your position. Successful candidates will be required to perform work within Ontario and must be available to work on campus, as required.

Support Staff employees, as defined by the Full-Time Support Staff Collective Agreement, will be given first consideration.

This position is subject to the terms of the Full-Time Support Staff Collective Agreement.

Note: 1 vacancy available. This position is deemed a critical replacement vacancy.

Payband: This position is paid at Payband I. $41.20 - $47.57 per hour.

Work Mode: This position is in-person, 5 days per week. While the position is primarily based at the London Campus, travel to area campuses may be required on an occasional or regular basis.

• Provides individualized academic accessibility information and guidance through one-on-one meetings with students to support disability-specific accommodation(s), encourage self-advocacy and the development of skills for academic success
• Coordinates and facilitates discussion with faculty, counsellors, multi-disciplinary teams and students to address academic accommodation logistics and ensure appropriate implementation across post-secondary learning environments
• Meets with students to review disability related documentation and develop academic accommodation strategies and accessibility service plans based on functional limitations
• Guides students in understanding and articulating the impacts of documented functional limitations related to academic accommodation, strategies and services
• Coordinates the creation and implementation of individualized accessibility service plans based on review of medical documentation and identifying functional impacts in collaboration with students and other internal partners
• Shares accessibility service plans with faculty and assists them in understanding how to apply the directives in classroom, laboratory, and placement settings
• Consults with and facilitate referrals to counsellors and external partners for assessment and documentation as needed to ensure accommodation needs are understood
• Serves a student population with diverse needs, abilities, and experiences, including apprentices, students supported by WSIB and Second Career programs
• Works collaboratively with colleagues to support student success and facilitates referral to other support services such as tutoring, academic strategies, counselling, assistive technology training, financial aid, etc.
• Works with students and Financial Aid staff to identify and access funds to support the purchase of eligible assistive devices and services, including preparation of bursary applications, gathering related documents, and completion of consent and agreement forms for the Bursary for Student with Disabilities and other eligible funding
• Adhering to confidentiality legislation and protocols, consults with psychologists, physicians, psychiatrists, and other medical professionals to obtain and understand critical functional information enabling the design of an effective accessibility service plan and appropriate academic accommodations
• Liaises with colleagues and students to identify and procure assistive technology solutions
• Provides guidance to students, faculty and staff on accommodation procedures, rights and responsibilities under human rights legislation and college policy
• Documents student appointments and interactions in an online case management system
• Provides a welcoming and accessible environment that supports students in understanding and implementing academic accommodation, ensuring confidentiality and respect for diverse academic accommodation needs

• Continuously develops disability related knowledge in order to correctly interpret the recommendations of professional diagnosticians including maintaining current knowledge of relevant medical, psychological and educational documentation standards and privacy best practices
• Maintains and shares current knowledge regarding best practices on supporting students with disabilities, accessibility and privacy legislation and assistive technologies in post-secondary education
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of appropriate bursaries and grant opportunities for students and institutions
• Under the direction of the Manager, supports collaboration with colleagues and internal partners in advancing principles of the social model of disability to promote inclusive design and barrier-free access across campus; developing proactive, inclusive learning environments that minimize the need for individual accommodations
• Collaborates with local school board educators, vendors, community agencies, and accessibility professionals in the community as needed
• Represents the College at provincial and national accessibility associations (e.g. College Committee on Accessibility Issues, Learning Specialists Association of Canada) as needed

• Supports the planning of events offered by Accessibility Services, such as information sessions and workshops
• Participates in orientation activities, recruitment events (open houses, school board outreach events), and other institutional activities
• Meets with prospective students and their supporters to advise on accessibility services available to students. Facilitates accessible campus tours as needed
• Communicates to community groups, including secondary schools, about Accessibility Services and accommodations at Fanshawe
• Develops and facilitates workshops and information sessions pertinent to students with disabilities
• Develops and maintains faculty guides and reference materials on accessibility practices, accommodation, and Accessibility services and access to college partners (e.g. Test Centre, Adaptive Technologists)
• Assists the Manager with creation and updating guides and resources for contract vendors (educational assistants, specialized tutors, etc.)

While transcripts are not required for the interview, they are mandatory as a condition of employment.

Fanshawe College is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to equity, value diversity, and welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds.

Fanshawe College provides accommodations to job applicants with disabilities throughout the hiring process. If a job applicant requires an accommodation during the application process or through the selection process, the hiring manager and the recruiter leading the recruitment will work with the applicant to meet the job applicant’s accommodation needs. Accommodation requests per the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act can be emailed to: askhr@fanshawec.ca

Fanshawe College would like to acknowledge and honour the Anishinaabe, Lotinuhsyuní and Lenape people of southwestern Ontario as the traditional owners and custodians of the lands and waterways where Fanshawe College is located.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.