Citywide Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist

Chicago Public Schools•Chicago, IL

16h•Onsite

About The Position

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district serving over 325,000 students in 500+ schools, aiming to provide a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. The district is guided by six core values: student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning. The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) supports networks, schools, and families with all issues related to special education, including instruction, interventions, and legal and compliance support, aligning resources to increase student achievement. Citywide Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMSs) teach students who are blind or have severe visual impairments safe, efficient, independent travel skills, often utilizing the long white cane. COMSs instruct students in the necessary skills and techniques for confidently and safely navigating environments to the greatest extent possible, considering their age and ability levels. O&M lessons encompass instruction in using sighted guides, protective techniques for unfamiliar areas, indoor and outdoor cane skills, street crossings, and the use of all forms of public transportation systems. Developing spatial concepts and listening to environmental sounds are crucial skills for students to master during these lessons. Additionally, COMSs are responsible for teaching students with low vision to properly use low vision devices, such as monocular telescopes, and routinely design tactile maps to help students plan routes to desired destinations.

Requirements

Certification by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP)
Strong spoken and written communication skills
Knowledge of the Chicago street grid
The physical ability to efficiently walk and/or take public transportation throughout the city of Chicago
Ability to maintain focus throughout lessons and to react quickly when potential hazards appear
Ability to plan routes and anticipate possible hazards in terrain
Knowledge of the UEB braille code
Ability to work cohesively as a member of several teams in several schools throughout the city
Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district
All CPS employees must be residents of Illinois

Nice To Haves

Dually certified COMSs (COMS certification and ISBE TVI licensure), preferred

Responsibilities

Evaluating students who have visual impairments to determine eligibility for O&M service by identifying strengths and needs in mobility skills
Developing IEP goals as integral members of the school eligibility and IEP team
Providing direct instruction and consultative services for a caseload of students who have been identified as having visual disabilities and who are eligible for O&M
Collaborating with classroom teachers and staff members on the implementation of strategies, accommodations, and/or modifications that will facilitate independent student movement and access to classroom materials and frequently visited school spaces and environments
Adhering to orientation and mobility service minutes as outlined in student IEPs
Creating lessons based on identified IEP goals
Teaching students to use a variety of public transportation modes as outlined in IEPs
Collecting data toward mastery of O&M IEP goals as outlined in student IEPs
Participating in annual IEP meetings and three-year re-evaluation eligibility conferences for students on caseload
Consulting with parents of caseload students on student progress and how skills learned at school can be reinforced at home
Providing direct instruction on using long white canes, low vision devices, tactile maps, 3D maps, and high-tech devices specially designed for mobility for students with visual disabilities
Participating in ongoing CPS and/or outside professional development opportunities and being able to impart knowledge acquired to fellow team members
Complying with all central office requests for data collection regarding student achievement and teacher accountability