Accessibility Compliance Officer
1 day ago
Houston
Position Summary () The ADA Coordinator/Accessibility Compliance Officer ("ADA Coordinator/ACO") serves as the University’s lead authority on disability access, Sections 504/503/508/ADA Title II compliance, and accessibility‑related civil rights obligations. The ADA Coordinator/ACO is responsible for coordinating, monitoring, and implementing institutional compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local accessibility requirements, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Sections 504, 503 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, Title I & II of the ADA, the Fair Housing Act, and related statutes. The ADA Coordinator/ACO serves as the primary point of contact for the campus and the public regarding ADA‑related inquiries, grievances, investigations, and accessibility concerns. The ADA Coordinator/ACO reports to the Provost & Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs with a working relationship to the Director of Student Accessibility Services (SASO). Reporting To: Provost & Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs This role provides central oversight for institutional accessibility compliance requirements in accordance with federal and state regulations. The ADA Coordinator/ACO will also oversee SASO to ensure students receive timely accommodations, while modernizing the unit to align with federal requirements, digital workflows, and universal design practices. This position is both strategic and hands-on, requiring expertise across technology, law, student accommodations, and organizational change. Essential Duties and Responsibilities The duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following: A. ADA Compliance & Governance • Coordinate and guide all required updates to the University’s ADA Self‑Evaluation Report., • Serve as the institutional liaison to federal, state, and local agencies on compliance matters., • Ensure policies, processes, and procedures meet requirements of ADA Titles I and II, Section 503/504, and all related mandates., • Oversee institutional processes for addressing and resolving ADA complaints and accessibility inquiries., • Serve as the primary intake and decision‑maker regarding allegations of discrimination or non‑compliance based on disability. B. Policy Development & Institutional Planning • Develop, recommend, and implement university policies, programs, and procedures concerning accessibility and disability accommodations., • Provide consultation to university leadership regarding ADA implications for institutional policy, operations, procurement, and planning., • Serve as the principal planning coordinator for ADA‑related initiatives, compliance projects, and long‑range accessibility planning. C. Campus Accessibility & Accommodation Coordination • Collaborate with the Office of Human Resources to assess and process employee accommodation requests., • Partner with Facilities/Planning, Campus Safety, Housing, and related units to address physical access, barrier removal, and emergency preparedness for individuals with disabilities., • Coordinate with OIT, Academic Computing, faculty, and staff to ensure accessibility of instructional technologies, digital content, online environments, and electronic information systems., • Ensure compliance with the Fair Housing Act related to accessibility and accommodations in campus housing facilities. D. Training, Workshops & Technical Assistance • Develop and deliver regular training sessions, workshops, and awareness programs on ADA obligations, accessibility standards, disability rights, and inclusive practices., • Provide technical assistance and professional guidance to faculty, staff, students, and administrators on ADA‑related matters., • Co‑Chair the institution‑wide ADA Committee, supporting planning, governance, and communication across campus. E. ADA Grievance Resolution & Investigations • Manage and resolve all ADA‑related complaints, grievances, and inquiries raised by students, employees, or members of the public., • Conduct fact‑finding investigations, prepare written findings, and issue recommendations for remediation or corrective, • Maintain records, documentation, and appropriate tracking consistent with legal and regulatory expectations. F. Monitoring & Continuous Improvement • Monitor and assess accessibility compliance across physical, programmatic, instructional, and digital environments., • Identify barriers and recommend strategies for remediation, risk mitigation, and long‑term improvements., • Ensure the University maintains effective procedures for ADA compliance, complaint management, and institutional accountability. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required The ACO must demonstrate knowledge of: ADA Title I & II, Section 504/503/508, the Fair Housing Act, and related federal/state accessibility laws; best practices in institutional accessibility, disability services, digital accessibility, and civil rights enforcement; and investigatory processes, documentation standards, and resolution frameworks for ADA grievances. Strong understanding of: o ADA Title II regulations o Section 504 & 508 o DOJ Title II Web & Mobile Accessibility Rule (2026) o Texas Administrative Code (TAC) 206 o Texas Administrative Code (TAC) 213 o Texas Government Code 2054, Subchapter M o Universal Design for Learning (UDL) • Familiarity with higher education environments, especially public/state institutions. Technical Skills • Document remediation (Word, PDF, PowerPoint, etc.)., • Knowledge of assistive technologies (JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, screen magnifiers). Leadership & Operational Skills • Ability to design and run large-scale compliance programs., • Excellent communication and training abilities., • Ability to collaborate across academic, administrative, IT, and student-facing units., • Strong change management and project management skills., • Ability to collaborate with legal counsel and OCR on issues relating to ADA compliance and complaints Minimum Requirements Education • Master’s degree in Human Services, Counseling, Higher Education Administration, Disability Services, Human Resources, Public Administration, or related field. Experience • Minimum five (5) years demonstrated experience serving as an ADA Coordinator or equivalent role with direct responsibility for institutional ADA compliance, higher education preferred, • Conducting ADA‑related investigations, resolving grievances, and interpreting compliance requirements, • Collaborating with Facilities, Campus Safety, IT, HR, Academic Affairs, and Student Affairs on accessibility‑related initiatives., • Presenting to internal and external audiences on ADA-related topics Certification (preferred but not required) • ADA Coordinator Certification Classification & Appointment • Full-time, 12-month administrative position., • Salary commensurate with experience.