October 2 – Defining Leadership and Purpose
The opening session will focus on leadership as a broad concept. It will include discussion about our individual motivations as leaders and the successes and challenges that come with them. We will explore the purpose of disability resource offices and how they align with leadership opportunities.
October 9 – Building Teams
We cannot do this campus-wide work alone., It is critical for directors to first ensure their teams function well as a unit before working to be successful across campus. We will explore strategies for building your team.
October 16 – Working with and Supervising Individuals
Teams are comprised of individuals with unique needs, experiences, strengths, challenges and concerns. In this discussion, we will explore how to work effectively with team members at the individual level, while balancing the interest of the team. We will cover supervision strategies, accountability, managing expectations, and how to grow staff for their next steps.
October 19 – November 5
During the two-week pause in virtual meetings, we will continue the conversation via a closed email list. Agenda items during this time include:
- Completing a Strengths Finder assessment (cost included in webinar registration);
- Watching Brene Brown’s The Anatomy of Trust;
- Identifying two to three personal action items.
November 6 – Directing Office Operations
After discussing teams and working together as individuals, this session will delve into customer service, working with students and faculty, budget and data collection considerations, and other components of office operations.
November 13 – Leading Beyond the Disability Office
The heart of disability office work is not about what happens within the walls of the disability resource office but what happens on campus. Building a more inclusive and access-centered campus culture requires the dedication of the campus community. This week’s discussion will focus on strategies for fostering allies and working toward a stronger campus-wide commitment to access.
November 20 – Leading Students
Working with disabled students is central to the work that we do. How can we introduce students to disability as a positive aspect of their identities and empower them to be part of the campus change? In this session, we will explore basic strategies for start these conversations. We will use this time to address outstanding issues arising from conversations over the previous 8 weeks.
November 30 – December 18 (Optional Participation)
Interested participants will be supported in developing a leadership action plan through online and video discussion. Action plans might be individual, internal to the disability resource office or based on goals for the campus. Ideas include:
- Personal steps to invest in your individual leadership;
- Developing a purpose statement for your office that reflects a social justice focus;
- Team-building and development strategies that you want to incorporate in 2021;
- Approaches you want to take in improving individual supervision and communication;
- Moving from transactional service delivery to relational service;
- Improving office customer service;
- Developing and furthering relationships external to the disability resource office;
- Developing students as social justice leaders.
Back to top