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Adaptive Materials Specialist

Company Name
Rhode Island College
Remote Position
No
Job Type
Full Time
Location
Providence, RI
Position Title Adaptive Materials Specialist
Career Ladder Eligible? No
Career Ladder Path N/A
Department Name Sherlock Center on Disabilities
Full Time / Part Time Full-time
Scheduled Work Week / Hours / Area Monday – Friday 8:30-4:30
Some nights and weekends.
Academic or Calendar Year Calendar
Number of Employees Supervised 0
Position Overview The Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities is inviting applications for a full time Adaptive Materials Specialist. The Adaptive Materials Specialist will design, support, and oversee the development of adapted curriculum materials for an adapted materials library. The Specialist will promote use of the library and provide hands-on learning events, as well as supporting professionals and family members to access the library. In coordination with the Coordinator of Vision Services and the Associate Director, the Adaptive Materials Specialist will facilitate a community of practice for professionals and those in the disability community to share resources and promote collaboration.
Primary Purpose A full-time materials specialist will be hired to design, support, and oversee material development, library access, and hands-on learning events yearly, focusing on the use of library materials and technology. In addition, in coordination with the Coordinator of Vision Services and the Associate Director, the Materials Specialist will facilitate a community of practice for assistive technology professionals four times per year to promote the collaboration of ideas across Rhode Island.
Essential Duties
  • Assessing the collective needs of students with disabilities in Rhode Island and identifying needs for curriculum material adaptation.
  • Participate in the planning, organization, implementation, and evaluation of statewide learning opportunities for the disability community across all ages.
  • Work with team members to review curriculum activities across all grade levels and content to make decisions related to designing adapted curriculum materials to meet the needs of students with complex needs.
  • Develop adapted curriculum materials, guidance resources, and documents for use in supporting students with disabilities (at many levels of abilities) to access and participate in general education curricular activities.
  • Provide training and technical assistance to school personnel on topics including but not limited to adaptive reading materials, adapting curricular activities, using technology to create adapted materials, and other emerging technologies.
  • Present to public groups about adapted curriculum materials and related issues using accessible materials.
  • Perform outreach activities to inform and educate school personnel and those involved in higher education coursework about adapted materials.
  • Develop collaborative relationships with other agencies to facilitate cross-disability, consumer-responsive access to an accessible materials library.
  • Document, organize, and facilitate the use of the adapted materials library to support documentation in annual reports.
  • Compile and maintain resource information on products, directions for use, maintenance, and funding sources for library materials, including but not limited to adapted literature, American Printing House for the Blind (APH) materials, curriculum kits, products/devices; Maintain a digital technology record to keep library materials current.
  • Prepare information sheets and brochures in accessible formats that match consumer needs to increase public access to critical information.
  • Create tactile graphics and other adapted materials aligned to curriculum needs at all levels of education (preschool-secondary education).
  • Manage and maintain a library of braille, large print, and adapted instructional materials.
  • Serve as local liaison for the Sherlock Center Assistive Technology Project activities in the center’s surrounding area.
  • Attend regular staff meetings and training opportunities.
Occasional Duties
  • Other duties as may be assigned by the Executive Director of the Sherlock Center.
Required Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
  • Knowledge of, or willingness to learn, assistive technology (e.g., hardware, software, 3-D printing, smart home, safety, and security supports).
  • Strong computer skills, particularly in the use of Windows-based systems and proficiency in Microsoft Suite including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint as well as software applications relevant to area of responsibility.
  • Responsible for orienting and training others.
  • Ability to effectively communicate with district personnel, schools, the community, and families, and individuals with a disability.
  • Exceptional listening, verbal, and written communications skills.
  • Excellent customer service skills.
  • Great attention to detail and organizational skills.
  • Ability to work well independently and in a team setting. Ability to consult with individuals in the disability community.
Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s Degree in special education or related field.
  • Experience with special education and/or people with Intellectual Developmental Disabilities (IDD).
Preferred Qualifications
  • Applicants that have experience supporting individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.
Environmental Conditions The employee is not exposed to known adverse environmental conditions

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

  1. * Do you have a Bachelor's Degree in special education or a related field?
    • yes
    • no
  2. * Do you have experience with special education and/or people with Intellectual Developmental Disabilities (IDD)?
    • yes
    • no

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

  1. Resume
  2. Cover Letter

Optional Documents

Application Email/URL
https://employment.ric.edu/postings/search