Job Description

Orientation and Mobility Teacher

Under general direction, incumbent(s) is responsible for teaching skills and concepts involving travel in and orientation to the students' environments. Incumbent(s) enables students to move purposefully in any environment, familiar or unfamiliar, and to function safely, efficiently, and independently. In addition, incumbent(s) applies different strategies such as gross motor development, basic pre-cane skills, long cane skills, environmental obstacles, orientation, route planning, protective techniques, various forms of available transportation, and use of low vision aids.

Essential Functions:

• Develops plans and instructs students with visual impairments in the development of skills and knowledge that enable them to travel independently, to the highest degree possible, in accord with the students' assessed needs and the students' individual education plan (IEP).
• Teaches students to travel with proficiency, safety, and confidence in familiar and unfamiliar environments. Teaches safe techniques to use at all times and in all environments while fostering maximum independence.
• Trains and demonstrates to each student the ability to develop maximum safe travel potential and functional independence in a variety of environments using appropriate techniques such as sighted-guide skills, pre-cans and cane skills. Trains low-vision students to make maximum use of prescribed low vision and make use of residual vision when traveling in all environments.
• Conducts assessments which focus on both long-term and short-term needs of the student to include the needs and strengths of the student and an estimate of the length and frequency of service necessary to meet identified needs. Prepares a written assessment of the students' orientation and mobility skills. Determines if instruction and consultation to the classroom teacher is needed. Evaluates students' progress and maintains progress reports on an ongoing basis.
• Attends and participates in Individual Education Plan (IEP) and other meetings related to student services. Provides supplements to the IEP for students receiving orientation and mobility services and for students that have been given an orientation and mobility evaluation and a functional vision assessment.
• Confers regularly with parents, classroom teachers, physical education teachers, and/or other special education personnel to assist in home and classroom environmental modifications, adaptations, and considerations and to ensure reinforcement of appropriate orientation and mobility skills that will encourage the student with a visual impairment to travel independently in these settings. Works with educational staff servicing the visually impaired to conduct the functional vision assessment as it relates to independent travel.
• Prepares and uses equipment and materials for the development of orientation and mobility skills such as tactual maps, models, distance low vision aids, and long canes.
• Provides in-service training to education personnel, sighted peers, and family members concerning the orientation and mobility needs of the student with a visual impairment and appropriate methods and procedures for interacting with the individual who is visually impaired that will foster maximum independence and safety.
• Transports students to various community locations as necessary to provide meaningful instruction in realistic learning environments.
• Other job-related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Orientation and Mobility or related field;
• Valid Arizona Department of Transportation Driver's License.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Orientation and Mobility or related field;
• Valid certificate by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP);
• Two years of public school experience;
• Five years of orientation and mobility work experience.

Knowledge and Skills Required:

• Understanding education terminology;
• Communicating between staff, students, and parents;
• Operating various computer software programs;
• Engaging and encouraging communication skills while interacting with supervisors, staff, students, parents, and other stakeholders to exchange information.

Physical Requirements:

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus.

Working Conditions:

The working environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to work near moving mechanical parts; toxic or caustic chemicals; risk of electrical shock and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Washington The Elementary School District is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer in compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Civil Rights Act Title VII of 1972, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. Washington Elementary School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify or expression, disability or age in employment or in any of its educational programs or in the provisions of benefits and services to students. For information regarding discrimination grievance or complaint procedures contact the Executive Director for Human Resources at 602.347.2801.

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