Director For Student Disability Services And Accessibility

Northeastern offers a rewarding working environment for our students and employees. Our faculty and staff are smart, dedicated people who work to create an excellent urban university experience for bright and motivated students.

Job Summary:

The Director of Student Disability Services and Accessibility serves as the designated senior administrator for this department and reports to the Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students.

The Director leads the University in developing a seamless, accessible curricular and co‑curricular environment for students with disabilities while ensuring compliance with federal and state statutes (ADA/ADAAA, Section 504, Section 508) and University policies. The Director develops programs and services based on needs assessment and evaluation; supervises a staff engaged in direct service provision; and promotes universally designed physical, programmatic, policy, and attitudinal environments through consultation and collaboration. The Director acts as an advisory contact and collaborator to the university community in achieving curricular access, considering reasonable accommodations, and identifying academic policies that may negatively impact disabled students; the Director is actively involved in training, problem‑solving, and consultation with Academic Affairs, Colleges, and faculty. As a Student Affairs Leadership Team member, the Director represents Student Affairs and the University with a wide range of off‑campus professional and community organizations (e.g., AHEAD, state/federal agencies, community advocacy partners).

The Director provides strategic vision for SDS aligned with the Division of Student Affairs and the University's strategic plan, establishes measurable outcomes, and reports on progress to institutional stakeholders (e.g., accreditation, compliance, President's strategic initiatives).

Job Description:

Strategic Planning & Assessment

● Develop, implement, and regularly update a Student Disability Services and Accessibility strategic plan aligned with University and Division priorities, including clear objectives for student access, engagement, and success.

● Design and oversee an assessment plan (dashboards, KPIs) to evaluate service effectiveness and support institutional reporting needs (e.g., accreditation, compliance, and strategic initiatives).

● Partner with Institutional Research to collect, analyze, and report on key performance indicators for accommodations, usage, and outcomes; disseminate findings to stakeholders and use them for continuous improvement.

Program & Resource Management

● Direct the effective use of financial, human, technology, and space resources to ensure timely, high‑quality accommodations and services.

● Manage fiscal planning and budgeting; recommend resource reallocation and pursue grants or alternative funding when appropriate.

● Implement and maintain disability services, case-management software, and related tools (e.g., ClockWork or comparable systems) to optimize workflows and data integrity.

Curricular Integration, Training & Programming

● Consult with faculty and academic leaders to embed universal design for learning (UDL) and accessibility practices into courses and academic policies.

● Lead the design, delivery, and evaluation of accessibility training for faculty, staff, and student employees; coordinate campus‑wide programming (e.g., Neurodiversity supports, Disability Awareness Week).

● Advise on curricular modifications consistent with academic integrity and legal standards; resolve complex accommodation scenarios in collaboration with the ADA Compliance Officer and University Counsel.

Campus & Community Partnerships

● Convene a cross‑functional Accessibility/Disability Services steering group to coordinate campus‑wide accessibility initiatives.

● Cultivate collaborative relationships with University departments (Academic Affairs, IT/UTS, Facilities, Counseling, Housing/NEST) and external agencies/advocacy partners to advance access and belonging.

● Develop and promote the SDS brand and resources through presentations and materials for students, faculty, and community partners.

Student & Faculty Services

● Lead and support staff who coordinate reasonable accommodations consistent with ADA/ADAAA and state law.

● Maintain student records and data in compliance with FERPA, HIPAA, and University policy; ensure accurate, timely communication of accommodation letters and follow‑up.

● Provide consultation to faculty and staff on instructional access, assistive technology, and policy interpretation; serve as an escalation point for complex cases.

Leadership & Supervision

● Recruit, hire, onboard, supervise, and evaluate professional and student staff; establish goals, conduct performance reviews, and support ongoing professional development.

● Model inclusive leadership and contribute to divisional initiatives and large‑scale University events; represent NEIU in professional organizations and consortia.

Housing Modifications and Accommodations

● In collaboration with University Housing and Residential Life, coordinate the review, approval, and implementation of student housing modifications and accommodations in accordance with ADA, Section 504, and institutional accessibility policies to ensure equitable residential experiences for students with disabilities.

Other Duties

Perform additional responsibilities as assigned to support the Division and the University.

Minimal Qualifications:

● Master's or doctorate in a field related to disability, teaching/education, curricular design, human services, counseling, higher education/student affairs, or related fields.

● Minimum five (5) years of experience working with individuals with disabilities in secondary or post‑secondary settings and five (5) years of progressively responsible administrative/management experience.

● Knowledge of federal and state laws regarding access for people with disabilities; familiarity with models of disability, UDL, and inclusive educational design.

● Experience with organizational planning, assessment, and using data (dashboards/KPIs) to improve services; ability to partner with Institutional Research for analysis and reporting.

● Demonstrated experience recruiting, supervising, and evaluating professional and student staff.

● Understanding of budget development and management from diverse funding sources; experience writing and administering grants.

● Strong oral and written communication skills and demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and a diverse campus community.

● Proficiency with relevant technology (e.g., accommodation/case‑management systems, assistive technology, learning management systems).

● Experience in an urban university context preferred.

Preferred Experience:

● Minimum eight (8) years of experience working with individuals with disabilities in secondary or post‑secondary settings and eight (8) years of progressively responsible administrative/management experience.

● Strong modification and accommodation experiences as a resource for university or college faculty, staff, and students.

Deadline: Applications submitted by Jan. 30, 2026, will receive priority review by the search committee.

This position requires a background check.

Salary Range

85,000 - 90,000

Benefits

University employees may be eligible for a variety of State of Illinois benefits. These benefits are administered through the Illinois Department of Central Management Service (CMS). Please visit our Employee Benefits page to learn more about our comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision benefits, sick and vacation days, and participation in the State Universities Retirement System.

Transcripts

Copies of unofficial transcripts are accepted; however, official transcripts for all earned degrees will be required of candidates selected for final interviews.

Northeastern Illinois University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and invites applications from Women, Minorities, Veterans and Persons with Disabilities, as well as other qualified individuals. Northeastern Illinois University's positions are contingent upon the University's receipt of its State of Illinois appropriation.