Access and Disability Accommodations Specialist

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Access and Disability Accommodations Specialist

Job Profile Title

Associate Director B, Academic Affairs, Community Engagement

Job Description Summary

Reporting to the Executive Director of Equal Opportunity (EO) in the University’s Center for Civil Rights (CCR), the Access and Disability Accommodations Specialist supports efforts to ensure compliance with the University’s Equal Opportunity and Nondiscrimination policies and guidelines, as well as federal, state, and local disability laws and regulations. The incumbent will respond to and facilitate the interactive process in response to reasonable accommodation requests from qualified staff, student-employees (including graduate workers), faculty, and campus visitors (except for applicants for admission and visiting families) and serve as a resource to the campus community on accessibility and disability inclusion, including through the development of policy and trainings to the Penn community.

Job Description

Position Summary

 

Reporting to the Executive Director of Equal Opportunity (EO) in the University’s Center for Civil Rights (CCR), the Access and Disability Accommodations Specialist supports efforts to ensure compliance with the University’s Equal Opportunity and Nondiscrimination policies and guidelines, as well as federal, state, and local disability laws and regulations. The incumbent will respond to and facilitate the interactive process in response to reasonable accommodation requests from qualified staff, student-employees (including graduate workers), faculty, and campus visitors (except for applicants for admission and visiting families) and serve as a resource to the campus community on accessibility and disability inclusion, including through the development of policy and trainings to the Penn community.

 

This role will also work in partnership with CCR’s Title IX and Religious and Ethnic Interests subject-matter experts to help determine whether reasonable accommodations and related services are appropriate for individuals served through those offices. This role will also actively collaborate with Student Disability Services (the Weingarten Center), Deans’ Offices, Human Resources (including Talent Acquisition), and other campus partners to support the provision of reasonable accommodations and related services. The Accommodations Specialist will support the University’s commitment to accessibility by promoting best practices and conducting outreach and educational initiatives in collaboration with other accessibility campus partners to increase awareness of accommodation obligations, accessibility, and accommodation resources across campus.

 

The Access and Disability Accommodations Specialist will play a key role in cultivating and supporting the University’s Center for Civil Rights. Serving as an essential point of contact within Equal Opportunity, this position will engage with qualified staff, student-employees, faculty, and campus visitors seeking reasonable accommodations, and advance equitable access to University programs, services, and opportunities. This role will provide guidance throughout the accommodation process and help advance the University’s commitment to civil rights compliance and equal access for all members of the campus community and may also be asked to provide support for other activities within the CCR.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

 

• Build trusting partnerships with qualified staff, student-employees (including graduate workers), faculty, and campus visitors with disabilities and provide individualized support, guidance, and resources to help them thrive in the workplace.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for qualified staff, student employees (including graduate workers), faculty, and campus visitors requesting reasonable accommodations based on disability.
• Facilitate the individualized, interactive process in response to each reasonable accommodation request, including through conducting intake and follow-up meetings, consulting with supervisors and/or other campus leadership, as appropriate, reviewing supporting documentation, and making a written accommodation determination in response to the request.
• Work with campus partners on the implementation of approved reasonable accommodations.
• For student employees (including graduate workers), collaborate with colleagues in the Center for Civil Rights and Student Disability Services (the Weingarten Center) as appropriate to respond to and facilitate the interactive process in response to student-employee accommodation requests, including to provide consistent support and implementation, and to develop an understanding of the external resources available to support individuals with accommodation requests.
• Document incoming accommodation requests and consultations as well as the interactive process, including the initial request, intake, activities and steps taken in response, outcome, and the implementation of accommodations, as appropriate.
• Ensure accommodation request files reflect the request, the university’s response, and information relied upon to make an accommodation determination, and document the request and response timeline, reflecting prompt institutional responses and/or any documented reasons for delay.
• Assist with the administration and maintenance of the accommodation database, ensuring accurate and timely recordkeeping, while promoting best practices in data management, privacy, accessibility, and accommodation processes.
• Connect staff, student-employees (including graduate workers), faculty, and campus visitors with University accessibility-related resources and promote equitable access to University programs and services by collaborating with University campus and community organizations.
• Serve as a resource on disability and accessibility for staff, student‑employees (including graduate workers), faculty, and campus visitors and the broader University community by providing guidance, consultation, and support on accommodation processes and accessibility considerations, and by conducting education and training on accessibility and disability inclusion. 
• Participate in the review and revision of the Equal Opportunity’s accessibility-related policies and procedures to reflect current federal, state and local legal standards and best practices, including under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, and the Fair Housing Act. 
• Serve on committees and working groups supporting initiatives and compliance with the University’s Equal Opportunity and Nondiscrimination policies and guidelines by contributing subject‑matter expertise and partnership across University efforts. 
• Maintain current knowledge of regulatory requirements and best practices related to accessibility and disability inclusion and monitor developments in relevant laws, regulations, guidelines, and professional standards, including under the ADA and the Rehabilitation Act.
• Develop working knowledge of, and competency with, available assistive technology, adaptive equipment, auxiliary aids and services, alternative formats, learning enhancement tools, and general digital accessibility (WCAG 2.1)
• Perform other duties as assigned, which may include supporting additional EO or CCR activities and initiatives as needed.

 

Essential Characteristics

 

• Knowledge of disability inclusion, accessibility, and relevant federal, state and local laws, including the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, Philadelphia Fair Practices Ordinance, FERPA and the FHA.
• Ability to facilitate the interactive process through the engagement with the requestor as well as relevant campus partners, as appropriate, to determine potential appropriate reasonable accommodations.
• Strong case‑management, organization, collaboration, and communication skills.
• Experience in a higher education environment, including in working with and across higher education student, faculty, and staff stakeholders and leadership.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to work collaboratively across departments and handle sensitive, confidential information.
• Ability to maintain records and manage databases.
• Experience developing and delivering training programs.
• Commitment to creating an equitable and accessible environment.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Sound judgement, discretion, and cultural competence.

 

Required Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree and 2-3 years of experience in appropriate area or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Candidates with a Juris Doctor (JD) degree will also be considered.
• Experience in disability services, human resources, equal employment opportunity, employee relations, accommodations management, or a related field.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Human Resources

Pay Range

$58,506.00 - $75,000.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job’s level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement 

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.

Special Requirements 
Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

• Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

• Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay