Job Title Orientation and Mobility Specialist Job Code SE-123 Job Grade 6 Job Goal To provide instruction and services to visually impaired students to assist with developing and learning skills and concepts needed to travel safely and independently in any environment. Reports To Special Education Related Services Coordinator Supervises NoneEssential Duties and Responsibilities
- Conducts evaluations of students' orientation and mobility skills and works with teachers and other HCS staff to assess concept, motor, and sensory -development needs for the purpose of determining the nature and extent of services needed.
- Attends Individual Education Program (IEP) meetings and collaborates with IEP team members for the purpose of evaluating, recommending, and implementing appropriate IEP goals, accommodations, treatments, and services for each student.
- Prepares, implements, and reviews an annual educational plan for each student based on IEPs to meet the student's needs and maximize learning potential.
- Provides direct rehabilitation and instruction services to students with visual impairments, including the use of remaining senses in order to determine their position within their current environment and learning techniques for safe movement from one place to another.
- Monitors and reports students' progress and response to visual impairment services and accommodations and works with students, teachers, and parents to make modifications as necessary.
- Participates in the design and implementation of techniques for teaching formal orientation and mobility skills to students with visual impairments, including but not limited to movement with a sighted guide, protective techniques, indoor/outdoor cane skills, street crossing, use of public transportation systems, etc.
- Works directly with students and their families to provide information and training, establish plans, improve daily functionality, and develop realistic goals related to safe and independent travel within the students' homes and community.
- Maintains contact and consults with outside agencies that provide essential services to the Special Education department and students with visual impairments and makes referrals as necessary.
- Responds to a wide variety of inquiries from staff, school personnel, professional organizations, and others for the purpose of resolving issues, providing information, referring to appropriate personnel, promoting collaboration, and ultimately supporting students with visual impairments.
- Keeps abreast of relevant trends and developments in instruction and technologies related to visual impairment through research and continuous education, determines their appropriateness for inclusion in the district's initiatives, and makes recommendations as requested.
- Researches and provides information as requested regarding alternative systems of independent travel for the visually impaired, such as guide dogs, electronic travel aids (ETAs), etc.
- Participates in a variety of approved trainings, activities, and events, including in-service programs, seminars, conferences, workshops, etc. for professional development purposes.
- Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
Qualifications A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in Orientation and Mobility or a closely related field. Must be certified in Orientation and Mobility by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP) or the National Orientation and Mobility Certification Board (NOMC).Physical Requirements Requires exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly.Terms of Employment Ten month year. Salary as recommended by the Superintendent and approved by the Board.This specification has been designed to represent the general nature and level of work found in this position. As such, it is not intended to contain all duties and qualifications of an employee in this position. Consequently, it is not intended to be perceived as an identification of essential job functions as required by ADA. Note: The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or logical assignment to that position.