In the Department of Services for the Blind, serves as a teacher trainee in an assigned geographic area or in the Orientation and Training Center. Provides rehabilitation program services, specialized instruction and counseling to blind or visually impaired individuals who may have other disabilities in addition to blindness.

Provides instruction, based on established curricula, in adaptive skills for blind or visually impaired participants in their place of residence, at a community location, 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;

Conducts individualized assessments, under close supervision, to determine the adaptive skills needs of participants relative to specific functional objectives;

Provides adjustment counseling to persons who are blind or visually impaired and to their families regarding the participant’s capabilities, techniques for overcoming barriers, and self-advocacy skills;

Provides information and referral; coordinates and arranges services from other state and community resources;

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.

Knowledge of: capabilities of and potential barriers for persons who are blind or visually impaired; public and private resources providing services to persons who are blind or visually impaired; principles, methods and techniques used to assist individuals in adjusting to vision loss; principles of instruction; current trends in rehabilitation; techniques for assisting individuals who are blind or visually impaired to integrate into the community and employment.

Ability to: teach adaptive skills of blindness; analyze situations and take appropriate effective action including provision of 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 with major study in social welfare, social sciences, education or human services. Two years of experience in social services or providing services to individuals who are blind or visually impaired will substitute for two years of the required education.

Special Note:

• In the Orientation and Training Center, incumbents shall be advanced to Rehabilitation Teacher 2 after completing one year of satisfactory service as a Rehabilitation Teacher 1. In field offices of the Department of Services for the Blind, incumbents shall be advanced directly to Rehabilitation Teacher 3 after completing two years of satisfactory service as Rehabilitation Teacher 1.

New class: 11-9-73
Revised minimum qualifications: 5-12-78
Revised code (formerly 2188), definition, minimum qualifications, add distinguishing characteristics: 8-10-79
Code change (formerly 2187): 10-79
Revised definition, distinguishing characteristics, and minimum qualifications: 9-13-85
Revised definition, distinguishing characteristics, and minimum qualifications: 12-15-89
Revised definition and minimum qualifications: 12-15-95
Revised new class code: (formerly 21880) effective July 1, 2007