Teacher of the Visually Impaired

Job Title

Plan and provide services to students with visual impairments. Assess students and provide therapeutic intervention to eliminate or reduce problems that interfere with students' abilities to derive full benefit from the educational program. Travels to the students' assigned schools to provide direct and/or consultative special education services relating to vision loss. Range in age from birth through 21.

Qualifications

Education/Certification:

Bachelor's degree from a college or university

Certified by the Texas Education Agency to teach the Visually Impaired

Special Knowledge/Skills

Ability to use the accepted tests and measurements to assess visual impairments and conditions

Ability to instruct and manage student behavior

Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills

Ability to travel between sites

Major Responsibilities and Duties

Program Management

1. Perform functional vision and learning media assessments on new referrals and three-year re-evaluations.
2. Interpret eye medical reports as they relate to educational environments.
3. Contribute to the development of the IEP/IFSP with goals, modifications, learning styles.
4. Services may include instruction in the areas of keyboarding, daily living skills, abacus, social skills, concept development, braille, technology training, efficient use of vision, adaptive VH skills, career/vocational skill and low vision devices.
5. Recommend appropriate specialized evaluations as needed, such as low vision, orientation and mobility, psycho-social, and adaptive physical education.
6. Consult with diagnosticians, classroom teachers, students, and parents concerning appropriate evaluations, modifications, and test administration.
7. Obtain modified standardized testing materials (NAPT, ITBS, TAAS, SAT, ACT) and administer or assist in the administration of the test as needed.
8. Work as liaison with other agencies in the vocational assessment process.
9. Participate in team assessments for students with moderate to severe cognitive disabilities.
10. Order brailed materials and tangible apparatus.
11. Supply classroom teachers with equipment and supplies specific to visually impaired students.
12. Assist with registration of visually impaired students with the following services.
13. Perform other responsibilities that may be assigned in order to maintain an efficient program.
14. Serve as a member of the Admission, Review, Dismissal (ARD) meetings and participate as one of the appraisal representatives for the VI students.
15. Exemplify high standards of professional conduct.
16. Maintain open communication with supervisory and other administrative personnel.
17. Actively participate in curriculum development efforts, professional growth options, and appropriate organizational activities.

Consultation

1. Counsel and involve parents in the educational process.
2. Assist in determining and procuring classroom equipment and materials necessary for the student with visual impairments to learn (brailler, low vision devices, assistive technology, computer) including ensuring necessary room modifications and lighting changes.
3. Provide the classroom teacher with information regarding the specialized strategies needed to teach a VI student.
4. Consult with other instructional staff to provide information to incorporate the expanded core curriculum into the entire instructional setting.
5. Provide modified materials to the classroom teacher.
6. Provide braille, recorded/enlarged materials, and tactual symbols as appropriate for each child.
7. Provide professional development in assigned schools to help school personnel identify and understand visual deficits in students.
8. Communicate effectively with colleagues, students, and parents regarding the accomplishment of therapy goals and needs of the students. Consultation services with the following: classroom teachers, parents, potential job site personnel, low vision specialists, ophthalmologist, and other district persons.

Administrative

1. Compile, maintain, and file all physical and computerized reports, records, and other required documents.
2. Comply with policies established by federal and state laws, State Board of Education rule, and board policy.
3. Comply with all district and campus routines and regulations.
4. Participate in professional development activities to improve skills related to job assignment.
5. Provide updated pupil information (VI registration, deaf blind census, textbook projections).
6. Inform various special education and campus personnel of progress and needs of the students with visual impairment on a regular basis.
7. Maintain adequate record of all assessments, IEPs, ARD papers, progress reports and signed parental release forms for things such as photographs and registration with various agencies.
8. Provide 6-week, 9-week, or 12-week progress reports as indicated by school policy on students with visual impairment in regular education classes and follow up with teacher and/or parent conferences as appropriate.
9. Prepare paperwork as appropriate and attend ARDs and IFSP meetings on students with visual impairments.
10. Distribute information to parents concerning workshops, conferences, and equipment acquisition.
11. Communicate with low-vision specialist, ophthalmologist, and optometrists concerning exams, and attend exams when appropriate.
12. Supervise material preparation and acquisition.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None

Working Conditions:

Maintain emotional control under stress. Regular district wide travel to multiple work locations as assigned; moderate lifting and carrying. Exposed to biological hazards.