Accessibility Advisor (Mental Health Team)

Date Posted: 03/27/2024
Req ID: 36692
Faculty/Division: VP & Provost
Department: Accessibility Services
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)
Position Number: 00034752

Description:

About us:

Student Life connects life to learning. We believe every student should have the opportunity to participate in university life actively and find connection and community while discovering new ways of thinking and being in the world. We provide resources, support and engagement opportunities that are inclusive and accessible, ensuring every student can build experiences that set them up for a lifetime of success.

Within the Division of Student Life, the cluster of Student Life Programs and Services, supports students as they achieve personal, academic, career and civic goals. We engage students throughout their learning and development with the following units: Academic Success, Accessibility Services, Career Exploration & Education, Centre for Community Partnerships, Clubs & Leadership Development, Housing, Indigenous Student Services, Mentorship & Peer Programs, Multi-faith Centre, Orientation, Student Success, Transition & Engagement and TCard Services. Together with staff, faculty, students, alumni, employers and community partners, we provide an integrated and coherent path to success that reflects our students' diversity.

In support of U of T’s vision, Student Life Programs and Services is committed to creating diverse, accessible, inclusive and welcoming spaces of opportunity that foster deepened engagement, learning, personal growth, and identity development for all students. We are committed to embedding these principles into all the work we do, reducing barriers so that students from all backgrounds and lived experiences can feel a sense of belonging in the communities they find here.

To align with our strategic priorities, we encourage individuals from Black, Indigenous, and racialized communities to apply.

Your opportunity:

Under the general direction of the Accessibility Mental Health Team Lead, the Accessibility Advisor (Mental Health Team) maintains a caseload of students with various mental health and co-morbid conditions, studying on a full or part time basis in a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate programs. The Advisor works with an ethno- culturally and academically diverse student population to: perform an assessment of students’ needs during a comprehensive interview, ensure that appropriate documentation has been received, review and assess confidential medical/psychological documentation, follow up with medical professionals for clarification or further information when required; determine the need for accommodations and develop, implement and recommend a reasonable accommodation plan by applying the key principles outlined by the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) Guidelines in Accessible Education the reasonability of an accommodation in relation to a student's disability; evaluate and modify existing accommodations and assist the students in self-monitoring the effectiveness of accommodations; researching up to date best practices to ensure that alternative approaches and possible accommodation solutions are investigated, as part of the duty to accommodate; providing coordinated support to students, requiring multiple services, by having a strong knowledge of academic programs, services and administrative processes to ensure that students are well served; make referrals both within and outside the department as appropriate, ensure that appropriate documentation is forwarded as necessary. The incumbent facilitates the student’s knowledge about their disability, addresses the strengths and challenges the disability brings to their academic pursuits and their navigation of academic and residential environments.

Other duties include: responding to complex inquiries; facilitating the accommodations process with the student, faculty and staff, promoting awareness and providing information about the Service; assessing, making recommendations and providing appropriate documentation to support the use of funding based on disability-related, academic need; and representing Accessibility Services on designated University committees pertaining to students with a disability; maintaining an awareness of current research being conducted around accommodations and their effectiveness; and embracing the Service’s principles of equity and inclusion.

The Accessibility Advisor acts as a consultant on disability issues to faculty across the University, academic and administrative staff, as well as students. The advisor is responsible for developing and maintaining relationships of mutual support with academic programs within the University.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Researching and recommending alternative approaches and possible accommodation solutions as part of the duty to accommodate
• Advising course instructors and staff on student accommodations issues
• Assessing and making recommendations on student funding applications and the appropriate disbursement of funds
• Writing confidential student accommodation summaries
• Providing case management support to students requiring the coordination of multiple services
• Determining the reasonability of an accommodation in relation to a student's disability

Essential Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in a discipline relevant to disability issues relevant to working with students with Autism Spectrum disorder or Mental Health concerns such as education, social work, psychology, learning disabilities or an acceptable equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum four years related experience, including an understanding of disability and student success issues in the post-secondary environment.
• Must have demonstrated expertise in developing, implementing and monitoring accommodations for academic programs for adults with disabilities and in particular students experiencing serious chronic or acute mental health concerns that pose significant barriers to their full participation in post-secondary studies (e.g. schizophrenia, personality disorders, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, psychosis, dissociative disorders).
• Demonstrated knowledge of major mentalillnesses including signs and symptoms.
• Must have strong direct and demonstrated experience working in clinical mental health settings, where clear communication and strong collaboration with other mental health professionals is required. This role requires close collaboration and consultation among colleagues, leadership, and members within and external to the University; demonstrated collegial and collaborative team experience is required.
• Must have the ability to read and interpret medical documentation and engage in discussion with various medical professionals (e.g. psychiatrists, nurses) regarding this documentation.
• Must have direct and demonstrated experience in working with adults with mental health disabilities with the requisite advising skills for the role including a thorough understanding of the functional limitations experienced by students living with mental health conditions.
• Must have a commitment to the principles of equity and inclusion and be able to demonstrate an understanding of the implications of specific disabilities as they relate to a student's success at university and in an intersectionality context.
• Must understand the strengths and challenges of adults with disabilities and have knowledge of cultural views of disability.
• Excellent computer skills, e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Internet, email, data management system.
• Must be able to communicate clearly and professionally (both orally and in writing).
• Must have the ability to navigate complex situations and work in constantly evolving situations.
• Aptitude for ambiguity and an ability to adapt to change quickly.
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize knowledge and display sound judgment, problem solving skills, attention to detail and a high degree of accuracy.
• Must demonstrate superior organizational skills, and a proven ability to multi-task and work well under pressure in a fast paced environment with strict deadlines.
• Ability towork effectively both independently and within a team environment.
• Flexibility, sensitivity, creativity and commitment to work in this area are essential.
• Ability to advise students in an academic context. Ability to create a safe, comfortable environment for students to work within. Ability to engage and build rapport with students from various cultural, generations and social-economic backgrounds.

Assets (Nonessential):

• Demonstrated knowledge of case management including, local resources and access to services.
• Excellent assessment skills and knowledge of crisis intervention skills.
• Knowledge of the community mental health sector, anti-oppressive practice, health promotion and social determinants of health.
• Knowledge of DSM 5 classifications, psychopharmacology, the Mental Health Act and the Personal Health Information Protection Act.

To be successful in this role you will be:

• Communicator
• Multi-tasker
• Organized
• Resourceful
• Team player

NOTE: This is a 12 month term position. Occasional overtime, with approval from manager, is required. 

Closing Date: 04/05/2024, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: USW
Appointment Type: Budget - Term
Schedule: Full-Time NOTE: This is a 12 month term position. Occasional overtime, with approval from manager, is required. 
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone:
USW Pay Band 13 -- $83,150 with an annual step progression to a maximum of $106,336. Pay scale and job class assignment is subject to determination pursuant to the Job Evaluation/Pay Equity Maintenance Protocol.
Job Category: Student Services
Recruiter: Blythe Campbell

Lived Experience Statement
Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity deserving groups are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the posted position.