General Characteristics:
The Accommodation Specialist is responsible for responding to the needs of Lane's disabled students and visitors who request services, providing them access to the college and/or its learning environments. Orients new disabled students; informs visitors of the services provided through Disability Services; advises on who is eligible and who to contact for services. Employees in the Accommodation Specialist classification may perform functions such as serving as Interpreter for the Hearing Impaired or as Alternate Format Specialist.

Examples of Work:
Orients and intakes new disabled students requesting services through the Disability Services Department; informs visitors of the services provided through Disability Services; advises on who is eligible and who to contact for services. Responds to and resolves crises/complaints. Supports students by encouraging increased accountability and self-advocacy skills as they prepare to transition to another college, job or other area of life.

Stays abreast of new developments and techniques in the field by attending workshops and conferences and by researching current trends and practices in assistive technology, keeping the college up-to-date in its resources and ability to best serve students with disabilities. Stays informed of changes in disability laws and/or changes in the interpretation of those laws and regulations. May convert materials to audio tape, electronic formats, enlarged print, and Braille; maintains files.

Screens, hires, trains, schedules, directs, oversees/informally supervises, and evaluates hourly staff and workpstudy students implementing services based on critical aspects of deadlines. Creates, develops, implements, and evaluates formal screening, orientation and evaluation processes and instruction manuals for directing timesheet and work-study employees. Attends staff meetings; collaborates and participates in problem-solving meetings; provides consultation assistance to staff.

Interpreter for Hearing Impaired:
Responsible for performing interpretation and transliteration services for hearing impaired students and other clients of the College; conducts research for new signs. Uses sign language to interpret communications for a lecture, film, videotape or small group. Reverse interprets the hearing impaired person's communication to hearing persons using grammatically correct English. Researches for new sign language symbols and phrases.

Sign language interpreting requires good hearing, a clear speaking voice and manual dexterity. Work requires knowledge and skill in sign language and good grammar.

Alternate Format Specialist:
develops and maintains complex systems to assure that critical timelines are met in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations and guidelines. Develops, implements, oversees, maintains and regularly analyzes and revises all aspects of Alternate Format systems. Works directly with students, parents, faculty, staff, college bookstore staff, textbook publishers and other colleges, agencies/organizations and businesses to assess, determine, procure and produce the most appropriate format for requested materials. Ensures that re-formatted materials are available in a timely manner, as legally required. Periodically checks with students to ensure that Alt Format accommodations are successful. Creates and maintains student and employee agreements for these services.

Develops, organizes, maintains, evaluates and revises detailed tracking systems for all aspects of Alt Format. Writes, edits, updates and revises databases, instruction manuals, tape and textbook libraries, forms, handouts and web page information. Monitors Disability Services' textbook-purchase process with the Bookstore; tracks statistics; monitors Alt Format system for ADA compliance. Develops, implements, evaluates and revises program to effectively achieve goals, objectives and long range plans.

Monitors equipment usage to assure that accommodation demands are met. Ensures that Alternate Format-related equipment is replaced, upgraded, repaired, and maintained appropriately.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of:State and Federal rules and regulations relating to equal access and needs of the disabled and skill in interpreting and applying the laws in terms of policies and procedures; correct English grammar; and skill in effective coordination of project planning, development, administration and evaluation.

Skill in:The operation of a microcomputer; the use of active listening, assertiveness, problem solving and public relations techniques; American Sign Language; and transliteration.

Ability to: Relate to a diverse population; work independently and as a member of a team; use independent judgment, make critical decisions and exercise leadership, utilizing supervisory principals and practices; prioritize tasks, work under stress and pressure to meet critical deadlines; effectively train and direct the activities of assigned positions; establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisor, staff, students and the general public; interact with students, staff and the public in a pleasant, tactful and courteous manner; maintain confidentiality; communicate effectively and accurately orally and in writing; represent the College with diplomacy and in a professional manner in person and on the phone; interpret from sign language to English; translate in a wide variety of settings and on a variety of subjects; produce clear recordings; concentrate for extended periods; operate an amplification system, TDD (Telecommunication Device for the Deaf), four-track tape recorder, closed caption decoder and talking calculator; use hands and body to communicate in sign language; use a clear speaking voice; understand, determine and work effectively with the most suitable, reasonable Alternative Format for individuals with a wide range of disabilities; organize and prepare reports and conduct research; analyze the Alt Format systems and revise as necessary; to use and potentially train others in using a wide range of office equipment and assistive technology; and work safely.

Supervision:
Works under the general supervision of the Disability Services Director. Work is performed independently according to established guidelines and laws and with a supervisor giving occasional instructions, advice, and decisions. Work is reviewed occasionally while work in progress and when it is completed. This position has responsibility to schedule, assign tasks, provide priorities, train and monitor the duties of timesheet employees, work-study and learn and earn student assistants.

Minimum Qualifications:
Sign Language Interpreter:
Two years of Post-secondary education or equivalent with course work or training in sign language and interpreting for the hearing impaired is required. Two years of experience as a sign interpreter, both one-on-one and before audiences is required.

Alternate Format Specialist:
Two years of post-secondary education, coursework, or equivalent in business, human relations, psychology, counseling, writing, and/or research skills is required. Two (2) years experience in program/project services, one year experience related to disability accommodation, and one year experience in formal or informal lead or supervisory capacity is required.

12/04

Lane Community College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution.