In the Department for Services for the Blind, provides rehabilitation program services in three program areas to blind and visually impaired individuals who may also have other disabilities. Employees in these positions may supervise and/or train entry level rehabilitation teachers or interns. (1) In Vocational Rehabilitation Field Services, in an assigned geographic area, provides individualized assessments, specialized instruction and counseling to participants in their place of residence; facilitates career exploration activities and provides intensive job search training for participants; OR (2) In the Orientation and Training Center, provides rehabilitative program services, specialized instruction and counseling to participants, and functions as an advisor with responsibility for case coordination for assigned students; OR (3) Develops and trains individuals who are blind and visually impaired in orientation and mobility.

In Vocational Rehabilitation Field Services/Orientation and Training Center:

Conducts individualized assessments to determine the adaptive skills needs of participants relative to specific outcome goals for employment;

Determines functional objectives with the participant; develops and implements a comprehensive plan of services based on assessment results;

Provides instruction in adaptive skills for blind or visually impaired participants in their place of residence, or at a facility such as the Orientation and Training Center; adaptive skills curricula include:  home management, personal management, Braille reading/writing and other communication skills, keyboarding and use of assistive technology devices, use of residual vision, travel skills, daily living activities, use of accommodation aids, and other skills which facilitate rehabilitation;

Provides adjustment counseling to participants and to their families regarding the capabilities of individuals who are blind or visually impaired, techniques to overcome barriers, and self-advocacy skills;

Facilitates and coordinates service delivery via referral to, and/or, service agreements with appropriate state and community resources;

Develops and utilizes community resources to expand and strengthen services to participants;

Presents information to service providers, employers and community organizations regarding the capabilities of people who are blind or visually impaired and services available from the Department;

Prepares case documentation, records and correspondence relative to participants and duties;

Performs other work as required. 

In Orientation and Mobility Skills Instruction: 

Assesses client's aptitude for travel instructions; provides individualized travel instruction in basic and advanced cane techniques:  local environment, residential travel, public transportation, business travel, and congested business travel;

Teaches clients to travel independently, either on foot or via public carrier, by use of sensory cues, and "long cane" travel technique;

Teaches individually, and in small group settings, basic pre-mobility skills; integrates specific concepts of concern into all phases of the regular curriculum:  general sensory training and, specifically, sound localization and basic spatial concepts;

Plans and develops instructional procedures and training schedules;

Evaluates and reports on training results; prepares evaluative reports of client progress and lessons developed;

Explains training program results to client;

Consults with medical professionals relative to client needs;

Consults with teachers, house parents, and families of clients regarding the coordination and reinforcement of a total orientation and mobility program;

Prepares reports and statistical data;

Serves on agency committees as assigned;

Assists in interpretation of program to community; promotes and coordinates assistance and service to other agencies as needed;

May represent the department in meetings with community resources and community service agencies;

May manage a caseload in an assigned geographic area;

Performs other work as required.

Knowledge of: capabilities of and potential barriers for persons who are blind or visually
impaired; principles, methods and techniques used to assist individuals in adjusting to vision loss; public and private resources providing services to persons who are blind or visually impaired; principles of instruction; adaptive skills of blindness and methods of assessing and teaching these skills; reading and writing English Braille Grade 2; current trends in rehabilitation; techniques for assisting individuals who are blind or visually impaired to integrate into the community and employment; psychological aspects of blindness; theory and techniques of training blind and visually impaired persons to travel; nature and training of human senses; learning modalities; psychology; mental health; secondary disabilities and other conditions.

Ability to: work independently; supervise and direct others; develop curricula and in-service training; teach adaptive skills of blindness; analyze situations and take appropriate effective action including provision or counseling and advocacy; work effectively with individuals who are blind or visually impaired including those with additional disabilities; present ideas clearly and effectively orally and in writing.

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

A Bachelor's degree in Rehabilitation Teaching for the blind or a Bachelor's degree in Special Education for the visually impaired AND 18 months of experience in providing direct client services that teach adaptive skills of blindness to the blind or visually impaired.

OR

A Master's degree in Rehabilitation Teaching or a Master's degree in Special Education for the visually impaired.

OR

A Bachelor's degree and 24 months of experience in providing direct rehabilitation teaching services to blind or visually impaired individuals.

A Master's degree in a related field may substitute for 12 months of the required experience in providing direct rehabilitation teaching services to blind or visually impaired individuals.

Two years of paid professional experience providing social services or providing services that teach adaptive skills of blindness to the blind or visually impaired individuals will substitute for two years of the required education.

For those positions performing orientation and mobility functions, a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Special Education or Rehabilitation Services, or related field, including a minimum of 30 semester or 45 quarter hours in an accredited orientation and mobility program is required.

New Class, July 1, 2007.
Replaces 21900 Rehabilitation Teacher 3 and 37320 Orientation and Mobility Specialist.