JOB TITLE: ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY INTERN

JOB CODE: 44925

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 a structured training program performing entry-level specialized professional work in providing orientation and mobility services to persons who are blind or visually impaired.

An employee in this job is enrolled in the final semester of a bachelor’s or master’s degree program or certificate program in orientation and mobility. Work involves participating in a highly structured internship involving formal and on-the-job training designed to provide practical work experience in providing orientation and mobility training for persons who are blind or visually impaired. The internship enables employees to acquire working skills; knowledge of federal laws and regulations and state policy and procedures; and experience in providing orientation and mobility training to persons who are blind or visually impaired. Supervision is provided by a professional supervisor in conjunction with a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist who directs training, gives preliminary instructions, provides close guidance, and closely monitors and evaluates the provision of orientation and mobility services in progress. Upon successful completion of the internship and the degree or certificate program, interns will be eligible for promotion as an Orientation and Mobility Specialist.

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.

• Instructs child, adult, and independent living older customers who are blind or visually impaired in the development of human guide techniques, 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 in order to facilitate the attainment of maximum independence in travel and orientation in the surrounding environment.

• Provides direct instruction in both individual and group settings.

• Learns caseload management techniques for services provided to child, adult, and independent living older customers who are blind or visually impaired.

• 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.

• 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):

• Current enrollment in the final year of an accredited college or university bachelor’s or master’s degree program or certificate program in orientation and mobility.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:

• Authorization by the college or university for the student to participate in the commonwealth’s Orientation and Mobility Intern program. Upon entering the internship, the student must be enrolled in the final semester of the appropriate degree or certificate program.