What are the responsibilities and job description for the Orientation and Mobility Specialist position at Sonja Biggs Educational Services Inc.?
O&M Job Description An Orientation and Mobility Specialist assists students with visual impairments in achieving maximum independence through instruction in safe and efficient travel within the home, school, and community. Teaching will be done in-person, but may at times be done using a remote connection platform, such as Google Meets, Zoom, or similar platform. Services also include, but are not limited to, instruction in daily living, self-advocacy, self-determination, career, and recreation/leisure skills as related to orientation and mobility. Community-based instruction is a critical component of orientation and mobility training. O&M Roles and Responsibilities: Scheduling all students on your assigned caseload. Amending the IEP with the case manager and team to adjust goals and services. Creating new IEP goals, in conjunction with the IEP team, as needed to fulfill remote/hybrid services. Instructing the visually impaired student in the development of skills and knowledge that enable him or her to travel independently, based on assessed needs and ability. Teaching the visually impaired student to travel with proficiency, safety, and confidence in familiar and unfamiliar environments. Writing service logs accurately and efficiently. Consulting regularly with sighted peers, 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 O&M skills that will encourage the visually impaired student to travel independently in these settings. Working with the Teacher of Visually Impaired to conduct the functional vision assessment as it relates to independent travel. Conducting and analyzing assessments that focus on both long and short-term needs of the student with recommendations to include: strengths of the student, indoor and Outdoor skill recommendations, IEP goal(s) recommendation (with 100% accuracy), projected length of service time and frequency of service necessary to meet identified needs. (use O&M calculator or severity chart). Preparing sequential and meaningful instruction geared to the student's assessed needs, IEP goals and objectives, functioning, and motivational levels. This instruction should be reflected in weekly or monthly lesson plans, as appropriate. Attending IEP, Triennial, parent conferences, and other team meetings for students with visual impairments. Preparing and using equipment and materials, for example, tactile maps, models, distance low vision devices, and long canes, for the development of O&M skills. Transporting the student with parent permission to various community locations, as necessary, to provide meaningful instruction in realistic learning environments. Being responsible for the student's safety at all times and in all teaching environments while fostering maximum independence. Evaluating the student's progress on an ongoing basis with progress reports according to the student’s district deadlines and/or IEP goal. Providing in-service training to regular and special education personnel, sighted peers, and parents concerning the O&M needs of the student and appropriate methods and procedures for interacting with the visually impaired person that will foster maximum independence and safety. Providing remote and in person O&M instruction, where appropriate, in a number of specific areas: body imagery, laterality, environmental concepts, gross and fine motor skills related to independent travel, sensory awareness, stimulation, and training, spatial concepts, compass direction concepts, sighted guide procedures basic protective and information-gathering techniques orientation skills map skills cane skills, use of residual vision low vision devices related to travel skills urban, suburban, and rural travel, travel in business districts, procedures for crossing streets including how to deal with traffic control signals, use of public transportation systems, procedures for use of the telephone for information gathering and for emergencies, procedures for interacting with the public knowledge and application of community address systems, procedures for travel and independent functioning in places of public accommodation, skills of daily living, sensory/motor skills in coordination with the physical or occupational therapist and teacher of visually impaired students, and skills for independent living. CA Clinical or Rehabilitative Credential - O&M. Emotional maturity and stability necessary for the specialized work involved. Feels comfortable working with students with complex access needs. Demonstrates ability to exercise good judgment, cooperation, tact, and discretion in dealing with the student, family, and others. Works well in team environments. Ability to work effectively independently with minimal supervision. Follows established policies and procedures, and designated lines of communication and authority. Ability to be punctual and reliable. Willingness to learn new skills.
O&M Qualifications:
CA Clinical or Rehabilitative Services Credential - O&M
