Accessibility Services Lead

Full Job Description

Ashesi's mission is to propel an African renaissance by educating ethical, entrepreneurial leaders. Located in Ghana, this private, non-profit university combines a rigorous multidisciplinary core with degree programs in Computer Science, Business Administration, Management Information Systems, and Engineering. A student-led honour code, integrated community service, diverse internships, and real-world projects prepare students to develop innovative solutions for the challenges facing their individual communities, countries and the continent at large.

Job Summary: The Accessibility Services Lead will be responsible for providing administrative and technical leadership in coordinating Accessibility Services at Ashesi. He/She will ensure accessibility and inclusivity of Persons with Disability and other Special Needs in all the Ashesi University’s processes, programs, services, facilities, and equipment.

Reports to:     Director of Diversity and International Programs (ODIP).

Responsibilities

• Create awareness, sensitize, and train all stakeholders on the Ashesi Accessibility Policy to ensure full adherence and compliance by all arms of the University community.
• Coordinate the services of the Accessibility Services at Ashesi including the coordination and the appraisal of all accessibility consultants (e.g. sign language interpreters) to evaluate services offered to all Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs.
• Advise on assistive technological resources allocation and training for students with various disabilities for accessibility and participation in learning.
• Develop tools, instruments, controls and procedures for monitoring, assessment, evaluation and tracking of the provision of services for Persons with Disability & other Special Needs
• Support in the provision of transcription services including accessible content for students with various disabilities to access lectures, discussions, and other campus events.
• Collect and document data on recruitment, admission, enrollment, retention and graduation of Persons with Disability & other Special Needs
• Keep records of the diagnoses or natures of the disabilities or special needs presented and performing periodic reviews of the same
• Act as the point of contact for Persons with Disability & other Special Needs in relation to information on all University services.
• Document and track complaints raised by or relating to Persons with Disability & other Special Needs regarding their work, or in and out of class experience while on or out of campus
• Liaise with the parents/guardians and support systems for Persons with Disability and other Special Needs on their general social and academic welfare.
• In collaboration with other stakeholders, provide support to Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs with disabilities in their campus growth and development e.g., in curricular and co-curricular sector.
• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders, agencies and committees to generate information, training and advocacy/sensitization programs and registration on the needs of Persons with Disability & other Special Needs

• Monitor, assess, evaluate and inform relevant stakeholders on the University’s adherence to the Ashesi Accessibility Policy and relevant legal and statutory requirements, and recommend revisions as may be necessary and recommend remedial actions as necessary.
• Conduct periodic reviews and update the Ashesi Accessibility Policy to ensure that emerging issues, practices, and trends in the provision of quality services, products and educations to Persons with Disability & other Special Needs are, where appropriate, incorporated.
• Handle all conflicts resulting from accommodation requests.
• Develop Standard Operation Procedures for all functions of the Ashesi Accessibility Services.
• Work with the Director of ODIP to plan and generate all budgets and financial needs.
• Understand and provide leadership on Universal Design of Learning to support adaptations and accessible learning content and all University's daily functions, procedures, and programs.
• Collect data and information, report and document on initiatives, progress, challenges and best practices among others.
• Empower and engage the Ashesi disability community to ensure that the inclusion efforts are sensitive to their needs and effective.
• Train and support with disability mainstreaming practices with all departments in the University through awareness raising and sensitization- support in the sensitization and creation of awareness on disability and inclusion e.g., organizing events, workshops, and cultural activities to celebrate persons with disability in the University community.
• Participate in benchmarking in other institutions of higher learning for identification of best practices.
• Support all University department through referrals and capacity building to offer inclusive support services that are tailored to the unique needs and experiences of Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs.

Qualifications /Educational/Professional/experience

• Bachelor’s degree in special Needs Education from an accredited University.
• At least 5 years work experience in disability accessibility or its equivalent, preferably in an institution of higher learning.
• Membership in relevant professional bodies and be familiar with the Association of Higher Education And Disability (AHEAD) Program Domains, Standards, and Performance Indicators.

Competencies & Skills

• Knowledge of curriculum and pedagogy techniques for Persons with Disability
• A working knowledge and understanding of research methodologies;
• Strong leadership, analytical & critical thinking skills;
• Strong interpersonal & communication skills;
• Be self-motivated and highly-disciplined;
• High level of integrity & confidentiality;
• Good listening and mediation skills;
• Good planning and organization skills;
• Strong decision-making skills.

Ashesi is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to building a faculty and staff committed to excellence and equity and encourages applications from people who value same.

Disability Confident:  Ashesi University is committed to taking positive steps to employ, keep and develop the abilities of staff with disabilities.