Director of ADA Resource Center for Equity & Accessibility – University of Kansas

The University of Kansas Human Resource Management team is seeking a Director to lead the ADA Resource Center for Equity and Accessibility. The Center’s mission and focus is to promote diversity, including through fostering an open, accessible, and inclusive learning and working environment where all have a sense of belonging and barriers are removed. Reporting to and serving at the pleasure of the Chief Human Resource Officer, the Director assists in the strategic development and implementation of a universal design for accessibility that supports and educates the campus community with a focus on recruiting and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce.

The Director provides campus-wide coordination for employees with disabilities and ensures institutional compliance with applicable federal and state laws; develops and implements policies and procedures, administers, and oversees programs and services regarding Reasonable Workplace Accommodations, ADA Training, space planning, removing campus barriers, and provide programming, services and communications for KU faculty and staff. The ADA coordinator will also support the University’s mission of furthering campus-wide diversity, inclusiveness, equal access, equitable treatment, and equal opportunity. This position requires extensive communications with administration, leaders, supervisors, employees, potential donors, and visitors throughout the campus community. The Director is expected to work in-person at the Lawrence Campus and must exercise considerable judgment, discretion, and initiative while maintaining a high degree of flexibility.

65% – Leadership:

  • Provides leadership in the development, implementation, coordination and administration of policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
  • Works with campus leadership to ensure that the interactive disability accommodation process is implemented efficiently and effectively, including the final responsibility for determining if accommodations can be reasonably made for employees to perform essential job functions. Provides education and training on the policies and procedures governing the reasonable accommodation request procedures.
  • Creates and maintains a national presence in promoting the KU brand as a recognized thought leader on accessibility, disability and inclusion.
  • Oversees and manages the customer service experience, documentation and response rate on behalf of the center.
  • Works directly with campus groups (i.e., Faculty Staff Council on Disability and Inclusion, Institutional Opportunity and Access, etc.) to provide representation and guidance for discussions, events, communications, campaigns, and initiatives.
  • Prepares reports and analyses reflecting trends in disability-related services and provides recommendations or conclusions as appropriate. Utilizes data for reporting and decision making.
  • Manages Center budget and provides supervision to staff and/or students. Provides financial oversight of budgeted funds and related donations to the Center.
  • Facilitates partnerships internal/external to the University, KU Endowment, and Community partners to develop new programs and services.
  • Leads the training initiatives in regard to disability and inclusion, ADA, Reasonable Accommodation Requests for the campus community.
  • Actively engages in writing proposals for grants or sponsorship. Works with KU Endowment to develop a fundraising strategy for donor activities surrounding specific initiatives.
  • Provides strategic leadership for a five-year development plan as it relates to accessibility, disability and related activities.

30% – Accessibility:

  • Serves as the point of contact on matters relating to accessibility and ensures communication across all University offices/personnel having responsibilities relating to inclusiveness and ADA compliance.
  • Coordinates with Information Technology on accessibility parameters in a digital environment.
  • Participates on University facility planning and development teams to ensure new construction, remodel or capital facility projects are designed with best practice accessibility parameters.
  • Provides informal conciliation/facilitation for disability concerns/complaints.
  • Coordinates the activities of the AAIC Committee and Transition Plan.
  • Responsible for all accommodation related activities as it relates to the recruitment and interview process.

5% – Other Duties as Assigned

Position Requirements: Due to COVID restrictions, this position will begin teleworking and may transition to on-site work when
deemed safe and necessary.

Required Qualifications:

JD with an emphasis in Employment Law, ADA, Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, Human Resources, or closely related field.

Knowledge of the requirements and regulations of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Family Medical Leave Act.

At least 5 years professional experience working with ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation act in program implementation, determining reasonable accommodation requests, or related activities.

Experience managing complex accommodation situations with a high level of confidentiality.

Experience working in and leading teams working effectively with diverse populations as demonstrated in the application materials, interview, and references.

Supervisory experience.

Demonstrated experience working in a team environment as reflected in application materials, interview, and references.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills as demonstrated by work experience, application materials and interview.

Preferred Qualifications:

5 years of related experience.

ADA leadership experience working in a university, state, or federal setting.

Experience working in a University setting.

Demonstrated experience in collaborating effectively with a variety of schools, colleges,
departments, staff/faculty/students and in the community to enhance access for persons with
disabilities.

Ability to provide outreach, consultation, educational programming, and identification of
resources to promote greater understanding of issues relating to persons with disabilities.

Understanding and experience in providing mediation and facilitation resources.

How to Apply:

Experience with program development, training, and/or providing training to adult learners.

Contact Information to Candidates:
Abby King
785-864-7416
abigailw@ku.edu

Additional Candidate Instructions:
Please apply online at https://employment.ku.edu/staff/18958BR

In addition to the online application, the following documents are required to be considered for this
position:
• A cover letter addressing how required and preferred qualifications are met.
• Resume or curriculum vitae.
• Contact information for three professional references.
Initial review of applications will begin May 24th and continue as needed to collect a pool of qualified applicants. For best consideration, please apply by May 24, 2021.

In addition to the materials above, learning about each applicant’s contribution and engagement in areas of diversity is an important part of KU’s mission. As a result, applicants will be presented the following question at the time of application. The response must be within 4,000 characters or less.

• Describe your experiences working with people from diverse backgrounds and explain how those experiences reflect your commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Advertised Salary Range: Commensurate with experience

KU is an EO/AAE. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to
race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, disability, genetic information, or
protected Veteran status.