Middle School, Braillist -Materials Modifier for a Visually Impaired Student

Wake County Public School System•Raleigh, NC

11d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is for a Braillist in the Special Education Services (SES) department, located at a school-based site. The role involves transcribing materials into braille, tutoring students with visual impairments in braille reading, writing, and arithmetic, and modifying materials into various formats such as large print, digital, and auditory. The Braillist will also check and correct student work, prepare printed copies for teachers and parents, and may attend IEP meetings and other planning sessions. The position may involve providing in-classroom support and attending related service lessons, working under the supervision of a Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TSVI) and collaborating with school staff.

Requirements

Considerable knowledge of correct English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Considerable knowledge of Microsoft Office, specifically Word, Excel, and Power Point; Google Apps; (or willing to learn).
Working knowledge of general classroom activities and routines.
Effective time management skills.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both in oral and written form using a variety of communication techniques and tools to ensure the appropriate flow of information, collaborative efforts, and feedback.
Ability to constantly monitor the safety and well-being of students.
Ability to recognize variations in student backgrounds, abilities, and learning styles.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with teachers, administrators, support staff, and other stakeholders.
High school diploma or GED.
Braille transcription experience or willing to commit to completion of literary braille transcription training modules within six (6) months of hire, and completion of math braille transcription training modules within twelve (12) months of hire.
Must hold and maintain a valid motor vehicle operator’s license according to the State of North Carolina requirements.

Nice To Haves

Associates degree from a regionally accredited school.
Certification/completion of a braille transcribing program (e.g. Hadley, UEB online (Unified English Braille).
Certification of proficiency in Braille transcribing by the Library of Congress.

Responsibilities

Transcribes materials into braille.
Tutoring students in the use of braille in reading, writing, and arithmetic.
Modifies materials, including large print, digital, and auditory formats.
Checks and corrects student’s work completed in braille.
Prepares printed copies of student work for general education teachers and parents.
Attends IEP meetings and other meetings in which educational programs for students with visual impairments are planned and materials are reviewed.
May push into classroom for student support.
May attend related service lessons.
Performs transcription of braille formats and codes.
Prepares instructional materials including textbooks, tests, daily assignments, units, maps, and diagrams for students with visual impairments.
Confers directly with Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments regarding specific problems, formats, and special needs in the transcription of materials.
Collaborates with staff on revisions within braille codes and formats.
Keeps updated on new transcribing rules and materials; as new materials become available, evaluates, and advises staff on them.
Brailles, adapts, and modifies materials, worksheets, and tests as assigned by the TSVI and regular education teacher.
Assists and consults daily with TSVI and regular education teacher.
Communicates daily with regular education classroom teachers to get student assignments that need to be modified and placed in agenda for student.
Keeps documentation and records about daily activities in all classes for TSVI, as requested.
Assists with instruction in the VI Resource Room, such as tutoring students in braille, organizational skills, and in academic areas, etc., as needed.
Assists student with visual impairments in the regular education classroom with accessing materials, presentations, etc., and informing the student of what is happening in the classroom.
Follows up with students on tasks as needed.
Attends team meetings, as needed.
Attends IEP meetings for assigned students when requested.
Assists getting students on/off transportation in the morning and afternoon, as needed.
Assists students to and from classes as directed by the TSVI and/or O&M specialist.
Assists/accompanies students on field trips to provide auditory information and to ensure student safe travel.
Assists TSVI with school-related and clerical responsibilities.
Participates in on-going training for specialized software, modified tools, braille codes, etc.
Performs other duties as assigned by the local school administration.
Represents the VI program to other school personnel, parents, and students in a professional, respectful, and friendly manner.
Respects the confidentiality of student information at all times.