Functional Relationships:

• Student Counsellors
• Academic Department Heads and Lecturers
• Quality Assurance Department
• Student Support Services Team
• Sign Language Interpreters
• Campus Operations and Facilities Department
• External Partners (e.g., Accessibility solution companies, rehabilitation and disability organizations)

Purpose of the Role:

The Special Needs & Accessibility Officer is responsible for coordinating, implementing, and monitoring support services for students with disabilities and special learning needs at Belgium Campus iTversity. The officer ensures the provision of equitable access to learning, teaching, and assessment through reasonable accommodation, assistive technologies, and inclusive support strategies. The role also contributes to the institutional goals of inclusivity, accessibility, and compliance with the Higher Education Act, PEPUDA, and the Employment Equity Act.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Disability Support Coordination

• Serve as the primary liaison for all students with disabilities and special needs.
• Coordinate individualized support plans in collaboration with counsellors, lecturers, and interpreters.
• Maintain a confidential database of students receiving disability support in line with POPIA.
• Oversee the procurement, use, and maintenance of assistive technologies and accessible learning materials.
• Facilitate pre-enrolment and ongoing disability assessments in collaboration with qualified specialists.

2. Academic Accessibility and Inclusion

• Ensure academic materials and digital content comply with W3C 2.1 accessibility standards.
• Work with faculty to implement inclusive teaching and assessment practices.
• Support the development of alternative formats (Braille, large print, captions, audio materials, etc.).
• Coordinate with the Examination Office/commission to arrange concessions such as extended time, scribes, or modified assessments.

3. Physical and Technological Accessibility Oversight

• Conduct regular accessibility audits of campus facilities in partnership with Facilities Management.
• Identify and recommend adjustments to ensure compliance with accessibility standards (e.g., tactile indicators, ramps, evacuation chairs, emergency visual alarms).
• Manage and maintain a central assistive technology hub, ensuring equipment availability and training for users.

4. Student Support and Case Management

• Provide one-on-one support and guidance for students with disabilities, ensuring academic and psychosocial well-being.
• Collaborate with the Student Counselling Unit to implement psychosocial and academic interventions as per the Student At Risk Policy.
• Conduct follow-up meetings and maintain case documentation on student progress and interventions.
• Ensure alignment between disability support interventions and the broader Student At Risk intervention strategies.

5. Training, Awareness, and Capacity Building

• Facilitate workshops and awareness campaigns on disability inclusion and accessibility for staff and students.
• Train academic and support staff on inclusive education, assistive technologies, and reasonable accommodations.
• Promote awareness of disability rights and responsibilities under South African law.

6. Policy Development and Compliance

• Contribute to the development and implementation of the institutional Disability and Inclusion Policy.
• Ensure compliance with legislative frameworks (PEPUDA, EEA, Higher Education Act, POPIA).
• Participate in institutional quality assurance audits and reporting on disability inclusion.
• Prepare quarterly reports on disability support services and student outcomes.

Additional Tasks:

• Represent Belgium Campus iTversity at external disability inclusion and higher education forums.
• Support the recruitment and orientation of students with disabilities.
• Maintain partnerships with assistive technology providers and external disability experts.
• Assist in monitoring and evaluating the impact of disability-related interventions.