Access Specialist

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Position Title:

Access Specialist

Job Category:

Academic Staff

Employment Type:

Regular

Job Profile:

Disability Services Advisor

Job Duties:

This Disability Services Advisor will facilitate the provision of reasonable accommodations for populations with disabilities to ensure equal access to the programs, services, and activities of the institution. The position recommends and facilitates reasonable accommodations for populations with disabilities to ensure access to the physical, educational, and social activities of the institution.

Key Job Responsibilities:

Duties and Key Job Responsibilities:

Student Services 85%

• Facilitate the interactive process in collaboration with prospective and enrolled students, to determine reasonable accommodations for eligible students with disabilities. 

• Conduct intake assessments, maintain related and current data records and determine eligibility for disability services, review/consult with clinician professionals. 

• Maintain student records, document communications and the recommended course of action while maintaining confidentiality.

 

• Work collaboratively with students, faculty, and staff to identify barriers in the learning and living environments to determine access solutions.  

• Review disability documentation in accordance with ADA, Sections 504 and 508, the ADAAA and ARC documentation guidelines as well as best practices in accordance with Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD) guidelines. May include consultation with clinician professionals. 

• Provide students with information and resources about academic support services at UWM. 

• Provides consultative and outreach services to faculty and staff regarding appropriate services and accommodations. 

• Coordinate with students, faculty, staff, and campus community members to create usable, equitable, inclusive, and sustainable learning environments in the development and implementation of policies and procedures that promote inclusion and universal design, maintaining cooperative working relationships on campus and in the community. 

• Stays well-informed of current research in the field by reviewing publications, journals, technical information, professional listservs, etc.  

• Promote and facilitate inclusion and universal design through education, advocacy, and developing creative solutions for equal access when students experience barriers in university programs and services.  

• Assists in the development of programs and initiatives that promote awareness, sensitivity, advocacy, and competence in ensuring access for individuals with disabilities.

 

• Implement student programming within ARC that focuses on academic, social, educational, cultural and campus community needs to further engagement between students, staff, and campus community. 

• Develops and delivers training programs and resource materials for faculty & staff with regards to disability services.  

• Ability to travel and provide information and support to individuals with disabilities and/or their representatives at various locations as needed.  

 

Campus and Community Services 10% 

• Assist the Disability Services Manager to provide education, awareness, and outreach to current and prospective students, staff, faculty and affiliated UWM community members. 

• Participate in information sessions, programming, and tabling events.

 

• Attend and may present at internal, local, regional, and national professional conferences, workshops, brown bags, seminars, and training sessions. 

 

Other duties assigned, projects, and committee work. 5% 

• Help to ensure the overall success of the Accessibility Resource Center by completing projects and performing all duties as assigned by the Director.  

• May occasionally need to work outside standard business hours and weekends. 

Department: The Accessibility Resource Center (ARC) seeks a full-time Disability Services Advisor to join our team.  This is a ten-month position; off for one month in summer and one month over Winterim (exact dates TBD based on academic calendar). 

The UWM Accessibility Resource Center (ARC) collaborates with students, faculty and staff to create an equitable and an inclusive campus. We promote and facilitate awareness and access through training, partnerships, innovative programs, and accommodations to ensure disabled students experience every avenue of college life, and have written about our history in Telling Our Stories: A History of Diversity at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 1956-2022.

We also align with the Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD) concept of disability informed by social justice and with the AHEAD statement on language. Specifically, ARC is adopting and encouraging the use of identity-first language across all communication, information, and materials.

Compensation: $56,000 - $60,000, full-time rate, paid for 10 months of work (Final salary offer will be determined based on qualifications and experience)

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent combination of education and experience. Relevant fields may include counseling, disability studies, psychology, rehabilitation, and social work.

• At least one year of experience working in case management, counseling, disability services, higher education, rehabilitation, or student support services.

• Experience working with individuals with disabilities or other students with access support needs, including assisting individuals in identifying and/or accessing appropriate accommodations, resources, or services.

• Work experience demonstrates an ability to communicate effectively, build professional relationships, and work collaboratively with students, faculty, staff, and other stakeholders.

• Work experience demonstrates ability to maintain confidential records and handle sensitive student information in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and institutional policies.
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in a relevant field. Relevant fields may include counseling, disability studies, psychology, rehabilitation, and social work.

• At least two years of experience working in case management, counseling, disability services, higher education, rehabilitation, or student support services.

• Work experience determining, developing, implementing, and/or coordinating academic accommodations for students with disabilities in higher education.

• Work experience applying disability-related laws, regulations, and institutional policies to individualized accommodation decisions and access-related situations in higher education.

• Work experience with case management, disability documentation review, interactive processes, student advocacy, and/or consultation with faculty and staff regarding accommodation implementation.

• Work experience with accommodation or case management and learning management systems.

• Knowledge of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), accessibility, and inclusive practices in higher education.

• Collaborative work experience with faculty, staff, and/or campus partners to address complex access and accommodation needs. 

How to Apply:

Applicants must apply on-line on our job opportunities website by the application deadline of Friday, December 04th, 2026, and submit both of the following documents addressing the candidate’s professional level work experience as it relates to all required and preferred qualifications.

 

• A cover letter
• A detailed resume

 

Note: Applicants must complete all required fields and attach all required documents prior to submitting the application to ensure full consideration. 

 

In instances where the Search and Screen Committee is unable to ascertain from the candidates' application materials whether they meet any of the qualifications, they may be evaluated as not meeting such qualifications. Additional documents submitted aside from a cover letter and resume will not be reviewed. 

 

Finalist candidates(s) will be asked to provide three professional/supervisor references through an external reference checking tool. References will not be contacted prior to candidates being notified. 

Contact Information:

Angela Broderick - HR Coordinator

Email: [email protected] (preferred contact method)

Phone: (414) 229-3379

Reasonable Accommodations
Pursuant to university policy, UWM provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual with a disability. If you need assistance or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact [email protected] or 414-229-4463. This job announcement and other material on this site will be made available in alternate formats upon request to an individual with a disability.

Confidentiality of Applicant Materials
UWM is a State agency and subject to Wisconsin’s Open Records Law. UWM will not, however, reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing except as may be required by Wisconsin’s Open Records law. In certain circumstances, the identities of “final candidates” and/or the identity of the appointed applicant must be revealed upon request.

CBC and Reference Check Policy
Employment will require a criminal background check. UWM takes the prevention of sexual misconduct seriously. As such, you and your references will be required to answer questions regarding any past findings of sexual violence and sexual harassment or any pending allegations of sexual violence or sexual harassment.

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act)
For the UWM Annual Security and Fire Safety Reports (i.e., Clery Report), which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies, see http://www.cleryact.uwm.edu/, or call UWM’s Dean of Students Office, Student Union 345 at (414) 229-4632 for a paper copy.

Employment Authorization
In compliance with federal law, all persons at the time of their start date will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.