Director, AccessAbility Services

Description:

About Us: 

The University of Toronto Scarborough is a place of energy, enthusiasm and passion. Our commitment to inclusive excellence attracts the brightest learners, scholars and employees from around the globe. Our success has been made possible by the opportunity given to us by Indigenous hosts to operate on their territory, and we cherish our continuing partnerships with these communities. The University of Toronto Scarborough is an exciting campus with unlimited potential. Join us on our journey.

AccessAbility Services at UTSC is part of the Office of Student Experience and Wellbeing and provides and coordinates services and programs that enable students with disabilities to maximize their educational potential and ensure that all students with disabilities can freely and actively participate in all facets of University life.  The department works to increase awareness of inclusive values among all members of the University community and provides individualized services and supports to build a strong foundation for student success. 

This search aligns with the University’s commitment to strategically and proactively promote diversity among our community members ( Statement on Equity, Diversity & Excellence ). Recognizing that Black, Indigenous, and other Racialized communities have experienced inequities that have developed historically and are ongoing, we strongly welcome and encourage candidates from those communities to apply. 

Your Opportunity:

This is a compelling opportunity for a forward-thinking leader who wants to build sustainable change, and empower a team of talented professionals committed to supporting students to thrive!
Reporting to the Assistant Dean, Student Success & Career Support, the Director, AccessAbility Services provides strategic vision, leadership, and oversight for the development, delivery, and continuous improvement of accessibility services that promote and support student success, inclusion, and belonging. 

The Director leads a multi-disciplinary team responsible for a broad portfolio of services, including academic accommodation planning, accessibility advising and consulting, assistive technology services, learning strategy supports, intake and documentation processes, and accessibility initiatives. Working collaboratively with students, faculty, staff, and institutional leaders, the Director advances equitable access while ensuring compliance with relevant legislative and policy requirements. The role also leads to the evolution of accessibility work beyond the administration of individual accommodations, promoting proactive identification, removal, and prevention of systemic barriers across academic, co-curricular, digital, physical, and service environments. 

The University of Toronto Scarborough recognizes accessibility as a critical contributor to Strategic Enrolment Management (SEM). The Director will play a key role in advancing institutional priorities related to student recruitment, retention, persistence, engagement, and graduation outcomes. By fostering accessible learning environments and coordinating inclusive supports, the Director will ensure that students with disabilities, which includes Indigenous, racialized, international, graduate, and neurodivergent students, can fully participate in university life and achieve their educational goals.

The Director will bring strategic leadership and vision, with strong expertise in accessibility and human rights, risk management, and complex case management. They will bring demonstrated strength in data-informed decision-making, relationship building, change management, and financial and resource stewardship, supported by exceptional administrative, interpersonal and communication skills. With a proven history of results-driven innovation, people leadership and policy development in the field of disability services and accessibility, the Director will be adept at collaborating and influencing across departments without direct authority. They will have demonstrated success in engaging and motivating students and staff, and will be deeply committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in alignment with the University’s goals and educational mission.

Working closely with staff, faculty, students and campus partners, the Director fosters a supportive, collaborative and inclusive environment that supports the development and implementation of effective accommodations for students with disabilities. The Director will ensure that students have equitable access to services and resources, and that faculty, staff and students have access to clear and effective communication tools related to accommodations and accessibility supports. In addition, the Director provides expert advice on complex disability-related accommodation matters, emerging accessibility risks, and appropriate institutional responses. This includes providing guidance on accessibility and accommodation considerations related to mental health, ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, co-morbid conditions, in academic or experiential placements. 

The Director will collaborate with campus partners to create opportunities for education, dialogue and learning related to accessibility and disabilities. This includes supporting the development of resources and materials to assist students understand and navigate the accommodations process and the experience of living with a disability in a post-secondary environment. In addition, the Director will provide guidance on student experience programming regarding accessibility, accommodation practices, and universal design principles. 

The Director will lead the ongoing assessment and continuous improvement of services by gathering feedback from students, staff and faculty, and by using learning outcomes and performance indicators to measure the impact on student success and development. 

The Director will also build and maintain strong collaborative relationships with campus and tri-campus University partners who deliver similar programming that instils the values of inclusion.

What you bring:

• Directs the strategic planning, administration, and continuous enhancement of AccessAbility Services, fiscal accountability, people leadership, policy oversight, and relationship management
• Provides leadership for the development and delivery of integrated accessibility programs, systems, and services that respond to evolving student needs, support institutional priorities, and foster equitable student success and engagement across the University
• Provides strategic leadership and expert advice on accessibility and accommodation policy, influencing institutional decision-making and ensuring alignment with legislative, regulatory, and University requirements
• Develops and oversees a performance and outcomes framework that measures service effectiveness, student experience, accessibility outcomes, and operational excellence to support accountability and continuous improvement
• Ensures the development of resources and accessibility-focused learning initiatives, that fosters students’ resilience, self-advocacy, and success throughout the student lifecycle and beyond graduation
• Provides leadership and accountability for all institutional, provincial, and ministry reporting related to accessibility services, ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and effective interpretation of data
• Collaborates in the development of faculty and staff-facing education, consultation, and resources that build institutional capacity to implement accommodations, reduce barriers, protect student dignity and privacy, and advance accessible teaching, learning, and service practices
• Strategically uses research, assessment, and institutional data to design, evaluate, and continuously improve programs and services, fostering innovation, organizational effectiveness, and positive student success outcomes
• Provides strategic leadership and accountability for the department's human resources, including recruitment, workforce planning, performance management, employee relations, succession planning, and staff development, ensuring the capacity and effectiveness of the team to achieve departmental and institutional goals

Essential Qualifications:

• A graduate degree (Master’s or PhD) in a relevant disability-related professional discipline such as: Occupational Therapy, Counselling/Psychology, Social Work, or acceptable combination of education and experience
• Minimum of eight (8) years’ of progressive leadership experience in disability services, accessibility, and inclusion work, including the administration and management of related programs and services, preferably within a post-secondary environment
• Demonstrated experience of the evolving complexity of disability-related accommodations in post-secondary education, including mental health disabilities, neurodivergence, learning disabilities, episodic and chronic disabilities, co-occurring disabilities. Significant experience working with people with diverse disabilities in community or institutional settings, with a well-developed and articulated understanding of disability-related impacts. Strong understanding in the development and implementation of accommodation plans and services for persons with disabilities.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of applicable legislation and frameworks, including the Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC), Access Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), relevant disability legislation, government administrative processes, equity principles, and the role of advocacy
• Superior communication skills (both verbal and written), as well as strong facilitation and negotiation skills.
• Experience with the professional standards and practices of a multi-disciplinary team (e.g., Social Workers, Counsellors, Occupational Therapists). Demonstrated experience with human resources and labour relations, including managing staff in both unionized and non-unionized environments, and interpreting and applying collective agreements and employment policies.
• Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills, with a consultative and collaborative management style, and demonstrated ability to lead organizational change. Strong organizational, administrative, and managerial skills, with demonstrated ability to lead, manage, and support staff from diverse professional backgrounds within a unionized working environment.
• Strong analytical skills, with experience in conflict resolution and sound business and financial acumen.  Ability to research, analyze and leverage data and analytics to inform evidence-based decision-making
• Extensive experience in service and systems development, with a demonstrated ability to build and sustain strategic partnerships with internal and external stakeholders and constituent groups
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and the promotion of a respectful and collegial learning and working environment.  Exceptional commitment to respectful, timely, student-centred services that is guided by policies and practices as it relates to accessibility, equity, privacy, and human rights.
• Experience in planning, managing and monitoring operating budgets and a strong understanding of accounting principles and effective budget management
• Proven ability to manage crisis situations, interventions and emergency responses, and to make sound, complex decisions under pressure. Strong awareness of and commitment to risk management principles and confidentiality. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), case management systems, and on-line communication tools such as Zoom and Teams.  Familiar with assistive technologies and adaptive equipment for persons with disabilities. 

Note: This position is on-site on the UTSC campus.

Closing Date: 08/14/2026,11:59PM ET
Employee Group: Salaried 
Personnel Subarea: PM
Appointment Type : Budget - Continuing 
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone:  PM 6 -- Hiring Zone: $132,351 - $154,409 -- Broadband Salary Range: $132,351 - $220,587
Job Category: Administrative / Managerial