Accessibility and Learning Support Specialist in Worcester, Massachusetts at Assumption University

The Accessibility and Learning Support Specialist serves on a team who is dedicated and passionate about ensuring access and support for all students with disabilities within the Assumption University community. This position provides individualized academic support to students with diverse learning needs, including those with documented disabilities and complex neurodiverse profiles. The specialist is responsible for assisting in the coordination and proctoring of exams, maintaining academic integrity, supporting faculty with accessibility best practices, and ensuring compliance with institutional and legal accessibility standards. The specialist will also assist in the process of providing reasonable accommodations to students, including conducting housing and dining accommodation intakes and participating on the housing and dining accommodation committee. In addition, the specialist will oversee student assistive technology resources and provide proactive learning strategy instruction to enhance student success.

Key Responsibilities:

Student Support and Learning Strategies

• Provide individualized academic coaching and learning support for students with learning disabilities, especially those with complex profiles.

• Help students identify, develop, and implement learning strategies, study skills, and organizational methods tailored to course materials and assignments, particularly in reading and writing.

• Foster the development of skills, habits, and behaviors that contribute to academic and lifelong success.

• Assist students in identifying and overcoming barriers to academic achievement.

• Maintain a strong knowledge base of pedagogy, assessment tools, and effective learning strategies aligned with the university’s curriculum, particularly in Foundations courses.

Exam Coordination and Proctoring

· Assist in coordinating, scheduling, and proctoring of exams and tests in compliance with approved accommodations.

· Maintain academic integrity and ensure accurate documentation of all testing activities.

· Arrange assistive technology, alternate formats, extended time, reduced-distraction environments, and other necessary supports for assessments.

· Liaise with faculty to clarify exam logistics, ensure timely receipt of exams, and securely return completed materials.

Accessibility and Technology Support

• Assist students with the use of assistive technologies such as screen readers, speech-to-text software, note-taking tools, and accessible digital content.

• Maintain current knowledge of assistive technology trends, products, and best practices to provide effective support and guidance to students with disabilities.

Student Accommodation Services

• Assist in the process of providing reasonable accommodations to students including housing and dining intakes.

• Serve on the Housing and Dining Accommodation Committee.

Collaboration and Compliance

• Refer students to appropriate academic and support resources, collaborating with faculty and staff to monitor student progress.

• Participate in departmental initiatives that promote campus wide accessibility both inside and outside the classroom.

• Maintain accurate, confidential records in accordance with institutional policies and legal requirements (e.g., ADA, Section 504).

• Participate in departmental meetings, university-wide committees, admission events and ongoing professional development to stay current with accessibility standards, learning approaches, and educational technology trends.

• Serves as a confidential resource for Title IX reporting purposes.

• Perform other duties as required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Sitting, standing, walking, and bending are required of this position. Use of a computer keyboard and computer screen for periods of time with close vision and the ability to adjust visual focus plus manual dexterity are required.

MENTAL DEMANDS: The mental demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Examples of mental demands include reading (documents), detailed work, confidentiality, language, math, reasoning, oral

communications, written communications, customer contact, multiple concurrent tasks, constant interruptions, and performing calculations when necessary.

About Assumption University:

St. John Paul II wrote: “Man’s creation by God ‘in his own image’ confers upon every human person an eminent dignity; it also postulates the fundamental equality of all human beings.” Assumption University recognizes the essential contribution of a diverse community of students, staff, and faculty and condemns all forms of harassment, discrimination, and disrespect. As such, and in compliance with the requirements of federal law and/or the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Assumption University prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, disability, age, veteran status, marital status, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy, as well as other legally protected status, in admission to, access to, treatment in, or employment in its programs and activities, except where such conditions may constitute bona fide qualifications for the programs or activities in question.

· A Master's degree in Education, Special Education, Psychology, Counseling, Social Work, Rehabilitation Services, or a related field is strongly preferred. Candidates holding a Bachelor's degree may be considered when accompanied by significant relevant experience and demonstrated competencies that meet the needs of the position.

· Minimum of 2–3 years of experience supporting students with disabilities, neurodiverse learners, or individuals requiring accommodations in an educational setting.

· Demonstrated expertise in learning disabilities, especially those impacting reading and writing, ADHD, ASD, mental health disabilities, and chronic health conditions in educational settings.

· Familiarity of disability-related legislation and regulations, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and applicable accessibility standards.

· Familiarity with assistive technology and accessibility tools used in educational environments.

· Strong problem-solving abilities and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and confidential information.

· Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

· Ability to work collaboratively with students, faculty, staff, and external stakeholders.

· Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, accessibility, and student success.

· Cultural competence and ability to work effectively with diverse populations.

· Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and student information or accommodation management systems.

· Must be willing to contribute actively to the mission of the University as well as show respect for the Catholic and Assumptionist identity of Assumption University.

Preferred Qualifications

· Experience in higher education, disability services, accessibility services, or academic support programs.

· Experience conducting accommodation intake meetings and evaluating accommodation requests.

· Familiarity with Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles and accessible course design.