Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist

Summary : provides sequential instruction to individuals with visual impairment in the use of their remaining senses to determine their position within the environment and in techniques for safe movement from one place to another. Clients may or may not have additional handicapping conditions.Clients may be of any age.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following.Other duties may be assigned.Provide instruction to individuals in the core areas : concept development, motor development, sensory development, residual vision stimulation and training, human guide technique, indoor protective techniques, cane techniques, using landmarks, route planning, travel in indoor environments, and outdoor residential, small and large business districts, mall travel, and rural areas, problem solving, use of public transportation, use of low vision devices. Provide instruction in daily living skills and recommendations of adaptive aids as needed. Assist in the development and implementation of an individualized instructional plan for each client. Develop and maintain lesson plans for instructional purposes. Provide training in the classroom, home or other community location as appropriate. Maintain appropriate records, gather essential data, and other information to prepare periodic reports reflecting progress, evaluation, problems, plans, and specific recommendations. Hold monthly orientation and mobility meetings to discuss issues, assess caseloads of instructors and adjust as needed, handle orientation and mobility intern requests, handle inventory of canes and devices, and make recommendations to supervisor. Assist in the reaccreditation process for AER.

Qualifications :

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and / or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education / Experience :

A Master’s degree or Bachelor’s degree (or foreign equivalent, as verified through an independent credential evaluation company), with an emphasis in Orientation and Mobility (O&M), from an AER approved university or college O&M program at the time the degree or program of study was granted or completed.

Certificates and Licenses :

ACVREP certification within one year of hire is required.

Language Ability :

Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization. Ability to write daily reports to document training sessions.