Centre Description

The Centre for Students with Disabilities (CSD) provides a safe, inclusive, and welcoming space for students with disabilities and their allies at the University of Ottawa.  As an advocacy hub and a community space, the Centre strives to create a campus and student life that celebrates all kinds of bodies and minds and that is free from ableism and systemic barriers.  

Individuals accessing the Centre’s services are not required to disclose personal details regarding health status, disability, or neurotype. They only expectation is to come with an open mind and an anti-oppressive and anti-ableist mindset.

Job Description

The University of Ottawa Students’ Union (UOSU) recognizes the lack of representation regarding the needs and interests of students with disabilities on campus. This role is an opportunity to create transformative events, workshops, and campaigns that advocate for the rights and interests of students with disabilities and neurodiversity within the UOSU and on campus. Candidates must possess a deep understanding of intersectionality, anti-ableism and a commitment to advancing equity both within the Centre and across the broader uOttawa campus.

Responsibilities

• Create, plan, and execute events, workshops, and campaigns to advance the development of CSD;
• Ensure events and campaigns stay within the allocated budget with the assistance of the Coordinator;
• Lead campaigns with the Campaigns Coordination to support students to advocate for university-level changes and/or organize large-scale protests or campaigns at municipal, provincial, or federal levels;
• Work closely with the Volunteer Supervisor and the CSD Coordinator by holding and attending regular meetings;
• Participate in trainings, workshops and events to broaden the educational background and professional skills needed to work within the CSD Centre and the UOSU as a whole;
• Perform community outreach to maintain collaboration with other UOSU Centres, student groups, and on- and off-campus organizations;
• Communicate regularly with the Volunteer Supervisor and volunteers during the planning and execution of events;
• Direct CSD clients to appropriate resources and supports or transfer them to the Coordinator for off-campus or complex issues;
• Compile resources to build upon the Centre’s existing knowledge base;
• Administrative duties, including answering emails, writing letters, writing reports, planning programs, developing resource lists, and training volunteers;
• Carry out light cleaning duties around the center (as appropriate to individual capacity);
• Provide a warm and welcoming presence to CSD clients;
• Contribute to the positive image of the CSD and UOSU; and
• Perform other related tasks as needed.

Qualifications

• Must be a student of the University of Ottawa;
• Experience creating workshops, events, and focus groups and excellent group facilitation skills;
• Experience in volunteer coordination;
• Experience volunteering and/or working with students with disabilities and knowledge of intersectionality;
• Understanding of equity and social justice theory and practice;  
• Demonstrated understanding of, or experience in, undertaking advocacy work regarding the disability community and/or other marginalized populations;  
• Knowledge on survivor-centered approaches when dealing with survivors of gender-based violence;  
• Demonstrate open-mindedness, tact, and dedication to creating a safe space for all;  
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal;
• Excellent organisational, problem solving and time management skills;  
• Capacity to work independently and as part of a team;  
• Working knowledge of Microsoft, Google, and Internet software;
• Experience using social media platforms and content creation for websites;  

Assets

• Lived experience as a person with a disability and/or experience caretaking for a person with a disability;
• A strong knowledge of uOttawa;
• Leadership and experience in student-led programming; and
• Knowledge of or experience with the CSD, the UOSU and its services and activities.