What are the responsibilities and job description for the Orientation and Mobility Specialist position at Urbana School District #116?
Urbana School District #116
TITLE: Orientation and Mobility Specialist
LOCATION: Based at Central Office and serves CASE Region
SUPERVISOR: Assistant Superintendent for Special Services
JOB SUMMARY: The Orientation and Mobility Specialist evaluates and teaches concepts, skills, and techniques necessary for a student with a vision impairment to travel safely and efficiently through many environments and under many environmental conditions and situations. It is the O & M Specialists’ responsibility to assist the student in attaining independent travel skills commensurate with their age and abilities. Services may be provided through direct or consultative contact.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.
- Evaluate students with vision impairments to determine their orientation and mobility needs in both the school and home community settings.
- Share and interpret evaluation results with teachers and parent.
- Develop IEP goals and participate in IEP meetings for students with vision impairments.
- Develop and implement an O&M program that meets eligible students’ needs from pre-cane skills through independent travel training.
- Provide parents and classroom teachers with information about mobility procedures and the student’s progress.
- Inform parents of new technology related to mobility available for persons with vision impairments.
- Evaluate students’ progress and needs on an on-going basis.
- Provide in-service training to personnel working with students who are vision impaired.
- Provide community agencies and groups with information regarding persons with vision impairments to better promote understanding and community needs.
- Work cooperatively with teachers for the vision impaired, general classroom teachers, and administrators in sharing information and developing appropriate programming for students.
- Participate in workshops and trainings to stay current with methods and technology for students with vision impairments.
- Perform other duties and assume responsibilities as assigned by the supervisor.
QUALIFICATIONS:
EDUCATION
- B.S. or M.S. in Orientation and Mobility for Vision Impaired, Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals (ACVREP) certified or certifiable
EXPERIENCE
- 3 years school-based experience with students with vision impairments preferred
OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Highly organized
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills
- Excellent problem-solver
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: 185 Day Contract
EVALUATION: To be completed by Assistant Superintendent for Special Services in coordination with CASE directors of special education
START DATE: As soon as possible.
NOTE: This is not a position within the collective bargaining unit and is not an administrative position.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
REVISED: January 2017
