Orientation and Mobility Specialist

Orientation And Mobility Specialist

Orientation and mobility is that part of the educational process that prepares the blind student to travel independently. The itinerant O&M specialist travels to the students' assigned schools and/or home to provide direct and/or consultative special education services relating to the vision loss. The O&M specialist is prepared to provide service to an array of students including infants, students with low vision and/or multiple impairments. These services enable the students to travel safely and independently in their home, school, and community environments. The students range in age from birth to 21. The students may have singular or multiple impairments. The cognitive levels of the students range from severely impaired to gifted and talented. Many students with visual impairments are totally mainstreamed in their home schools. Others are in special programs in their home schools or at various campuses throughout the district. Community-based instruction is a critical component of the O&M program.

Qualifications:

• Education/Certification: Bachelor's and/or Master's degree, valid certificate in Orientation and mobility from the Academy for certification of vision rehabilitation and education professionals (ACVREP), teaching certificate, preferred
• Experience: Three years of O & M experience or teaching students with visual impairments, experience with school-age children, experience with children with multiple impairments, ability to travel between sites
• Special Knowledge/Skills: Knowledge of developmental factors of students with visual impairments, knowledge of programs and services for students with visual impairments, knowledge of TEKS, knowledge of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), state laws and Commissioner's rules and regulations, knowledge of research on effective teaching and methodology, experience in curriculum development and evaluation, ability to utilize technology for teaching, learning and communication, ability to function as a member of a team, effective organizational and presentation skills, strong communication, public relations, and interpersonal skills; bilingual (English/Spanish), preferred

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

• Instruct students with visual impairments in skills and knowledge that enable them to travel independently based on the IEP
• Teach visually impaired students to travel with proficiency, safety, and confidence in familiar and unfamiliar environments
• Prepare sequential and meaningful instruction geared to the students' assessed needs, IEP/IFSP goals and objectives, functioning level, and motivation level
• Be responsible for the student's safety during O&M instruction and in other environments while fostering maximum independence during O&M lessons
• Prepare and use equipment and materials such as tactile maps, models, distance low vision devices, adaptive mobility devices, and long canes for the development of O&M skills
• Provide orientation of new school buildings and new class schedules to students with visual impairments as needed
• Follow established procedures and techniques to perform job duties
• Perform other duties as assigned by the appropriate supervisor

Specific Program Responsibilities:

• Provide orientation and mobility services for eligible students with visual impairments, according to the Individualized Education Plan (IEP)
• Perform orientation and mobility evaluations on referred students that focus on long and short term needs of the students on new referrals and on three-year re-evaluations
• Maintain required documentation of evaluation, IEP, and services to students in the area of O&M
• Evaluate assigned student's progress on the IEP an ongoing basis and provide reports at designated times
• Provide required documentation including updated IEPs, new IEPs, and assessments to respective campuses for evaluation, programming, and placement
• Assist in the selection, purchase, and maintenance of equipment and material for orientation and mobility
• Conduct training sessions for students, parents, and community as appropriate
• Include in the assessment report the needs and strengths of the student and an estimate of the length and frequency of service necessary to meet identified needs
• Contribute to other appropriate portions of the IEP, such as goals and recommendations
• Provide consultation and support services to parents, regular and special education teachers, other school personnel, and students' sighted peers
• Confer regularly with parents, classroom teachers, physical education teachers, physical therapists, and other school personnel to assist in home and classroom modifications to ensure reinforcement of appropriate O&M skills that will encourage the visually impaired student to travel independently in these settings
• Work with the teacher of visually impaired students to conduct the functional vision assessment as it relates to independent travel

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Submit requests for instructional materials, conferences and reference materials
• Be knowledgeable of community-based resources that may be available to the VI student
• Provide inservice training to regular and special education personnel, administrative personnel, sighted peers, and parents concerning the O&M needs of the student and appropriate methods for interacting with the VI student so as to foster maximum independence and safety
• Participate in parent conferences and meetings as well as teacher staffing regarding the VI student
• Maintain adequate records on all assessment, IEPs, and progress reports
• Provide progress reports to parents
• Arrange and prepare paperwork as appropriate and attend all ARDs on students with visual impairments as they relate to O&M. Communicate with specialists in low vision, ophthalmologists, and optometrists concerning exams, and attend exams when appropriate
• Performs all duties in a safe manner to avoid injury to oneself and/or to others
• Performs other related duties as assigned

Working Conditions:

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors: Maintain emotional control under stress. Frequent standing, stooping, bending, kneeling, pushing, and pulling. Move small stacks of textbooks, media equipment, desks, and other classroom or adaptive equipment. May be required to lift and position students with physical disabilities; control behavior through physical restraint; and assist non-ambulatory students. Exposed to biological hazards.