JOB TITLE: ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY SPECIALIST

JOB CODE: 44920

SERIES NATURE OF WORK: The Orientation and Mobility job series describes work in providing orientation and mobility training for persons who are blind or visually impaired to develop the skills required to travel safely and independently within the home and in the community.

DEFINITION: This is professional work of a specialized nature in providing orientation and mobility training for persons who are blind or visually impaired.

An employee in this job performs specialized work in evaluating needs and providing appropriate orientation and mobility training for persons who are blind or visually impaired. Work includes recommending services which are designed to guide customers in selecting, preparing for, and obtaining a program of services leading to a satisfactory personal and social adjustment to blindness or visual impairment. Work involves evaluating persons who are blind or visually impaired to determine travel requirements and present orientation and mobility skills. Employees plan and prepare a program of instruction for each customer and provide the training required to develop the customer’s ability to travel independently. Work is performed in accordance with federal regulations and departmental policies and procedures. Employees are expected to exercise a considerable degree of independent judgment in using a wide variety of medical, social, and vocational resources in achieving the desired objectives. This work may also include providing guidance and training to practicum interns. Employees also qualified in vision rehabilitation therapy may provide vision rehabilitation therapy services to customers. Work is reviewed by a professional supervisor through reports, conferences, and an evaluation of case records.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.):

• Conducts thorough evaluations of the physical and intellectual conditions of child, adult, and independent living older customers who are blind or visually impaired as they relate to orientation and mobility, social situations, attitudes and personality traits, and potential for benefiting from proposed services.

• Interviews child, adult, and independent living older customers who are blind or visually impaired to determine and assess the orientation and mobility skills they may have that would influence an orientation and mobility program plan.

• Develops, prepares, and outlines an orientation and mobility program designed to teach child, adult, and independent living older customers who are blind or visually impaired to travel within and around their homes, residential areas, small and large business areas, public and private buildings, and on public and private transportation.

• Provides consultation and training on orientation and mobility services to various state and private agencies and institutions, as requested.

• Directly instructs child, adult, and independent living older customers who are blind or visually impaired in the development of human guide technique, pre-cane skills, cane skills, use of a variety of canes, orientation skills, street crossing procedures, visual efficiency skills, community travel skills, and use of public transportation.

• Provides counseling and guidance related to orientation and mobility designed to assist the customer in personal adjustment to blindness.

• Determines what training tools are needed to accomplish the plan goals, secures necessary tools, and provides instruction to child, adult, and independent living older customers who are blind or visually impaired to facilitate the attainment of maximum independence in travel and orientation in the surrounding environment.

• Provides direct instruction in both individual and group settings.

• Provides group or individual therapeutically oriented instruction and related counseling to persons who are blind or visually impaired in such areas as personal management and techniques of daily living; functional vision utilization; home management, including food preparation, housekeeping, and household mechanics; and orientation, pre-cane, and safety techniques within the immediate environment.

• Makes recommendations for the procurement of adaptive aids and appliances for customers who are blind or visually impaired.

• Provides training to customers who are blind or visually impaired in the use of adaptive aids and appliances.

• Manages caseloads involving services provided to child, adult, and independent living older customers who are blind or visually impaired, which may include caseloads involving customers with additional disabilities.

• Prepares reports on status and progress of individual customers.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of programming for orientation and mobility instruction, training, and services provided to children and adults.

• Knowledge of individual and group instructional techniques with emphasis on the impact of increased mobility skills on the attitudes and confidence of persons who are blind or visually impaired.

• Knowledge of various eye disorders and the ramifications of disorder to expected visual function.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of counseling and guidance relative to orientation and mobility of persons who are blind or visually impaired.

• Knowledge of desktop computer software, such as word processing and email.

• Skill in the practice of orientation and mobility instruction.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: (NOTE: Based on the Entry Level Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities):

• Successful completion of the commonwealth’s Orientation and Mobility Intern program;

or

• A bachelor’s or master’s degree or certificate from an approved college or university program in orientation and mobility that includes a practicum;

or

• Possession of an active Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist certificate issued by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP).