Disability Navigator

Summary

The University of Michigan seeks a creative, innovative, and thoughtful person to join its Disability Equity Office as a Disability Navigator. This position is essential for advancing the university's mission to foster a more accessible, disability-inclusive environment. The ideal candidate will be a dedicated liaison for schools/colleges and units that provide referrals and resources for disability and accessibility requests. Additionally, this role will serve as a key communicator among employees, supervisors, HR, and other university partners within their assigned schools/colleges or units. This role will promote deeper collaboration and understanding of the unique aspects of the school's/college's or unit's policies and procedures concerning disability and accessibility needs.

This position will collaborate closely with other Disability Equity Office employees, including a team of highly specialized Accessibility Specialists, during the ADA interactive process to provide wrap-around support from initial contact to implementation of workplace accommodations. You will also collaborate with various campus partners, including Staff and Academic Human Resources, Michigan Medicine HR Solutions Center, Logistics, Transportation and Parking, Work Connections, and Athletics. You will be joining a strong community of collaborators who value and support this work as we look to expand and evolve in critical ways.

Responsibilities*

Disability Resource Liaison - 40%

• Serve as the main point of contact and referral for employees in specific schools, colleges, units, and campus resources, including but not limited to the Disability Equity Office, Work Connections, unit HR, or Academic HR, to assist employees navigating disability-related requests, such as workplace accommodations and leave.
• Initiate unit-based proactive education and outreach events to faculty and staff on existing policies, processes, and supports for individuals with disabilities.
• Coordinate with the Faculty and Staff Counseling and Consultation Office (FASCCO) and connect employees with ECRT Intake & Specialists for concerns related to disability discrimination and harassment.
• Provide initial consultations and navigate the interactive process for employees seeking information about workplace accommodations, procedures, and other potential disability-related supports available at the University of Michigan.
• Facilitate introductions to Disability Equity Office Accessibility Specialists to initiate the interactive process and offer implementation support for employees, schools, colleges, and units after the interactive process, ensuring that workplace accommodation purchases and other reasonable accommodation requests are completed promptly and efficiently.

Interactive Process Administrative Support - 30%

• Provide case management support to Accessibility Specialists assigned to employee requests, including employee outreach for workplace accommodations within the Navigator's assigned schools, colleges, and units.
• Serve as the liaison between DEO Accessibility Specialists, employees, supervisors, Human Resource Business Partners (HRBPs), and unit administrators during the interactive process.
• Serves as a resource for DEO Accessibility Specialists regarding specific policies and procedures for schools, colleges, and units.
• Provide direct support to schools, colleges and units with the efficient purchase and implementation of approved workplace accommodation items, such as software and ergonomic equipment.

Accessible Event Planning & Training Support - 20%

• Act as a point person for schools, colleges and units for accessible event planning, providing guidance on accessibility considerations for materials and events.
• Provide recommendations and assistance to event organizers on incorporating accessibility into their events, consistent with university policy and ADA requirements.
• Assist event hosts in requesting Communication Access Real Time Transcription (CART) and American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters from the Disability Equity Office.
• Partners with Disability Equity Office staff to provide training and education on various accessibility and disability related topics.

Disability Equity Office Coordination - 10%

• Provides accommodation case management support, including employee outreach, and maintains updates to case files consistent with ECRT practice.
• Maintain collaborative relationships with schools, colleges, and units on behalf of the Disability Equity Office to foster intentional coordination of efforts supporting faculty and staff with disabilities within the campus community.
• Provides consultation and general practice knowledge to employees and units seeking information about the interactive process and employee accommodations.

RELATED DUTIES

Performs related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications*

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, including but not limited to disability studies, higher education, human resources, rehabilitation services, or other relevant study areas
• At least two years work experience providing services and support to individuals with disabilities
• At least one year of experience using case management or complex database systems
• Understanding of the ADA, disability accommodations, and accessibility principles
• Ability to collaborate effectively with diverse university staff and departments
• Excellent communication and organization skills
• Attention to detail
• Demonstrated ability to manage high volume and time-sensitive workload and meet demanding deadlines
• Ability to work in a diverse environment

Desired Qualifications*

• Experience providing workplace accommodations to employees
• Experience training or presenting to a wide range of participants
• Knowledge of or experience with adaptive and assistive devices
• Accessible event planning experience
• Knowledge of digital accessibility
• Strong commitment to creating accessible environments

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the We work in a flexible hybrid office with an expectation of at least two days in-person or as needed to fulfill the essential functions of the position.

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the