SY 26-27 Orientation and Mobility Specialist

School District of Philadelphia • Philadelphia, PA

8d • Onsite

About The Position

Provides itinerant orientation and mobility services to visually impaired students in order to improve mobility and independent functioning. Assesses visually impaired students to determine eligibility for service. Provides consultative service to school staff and parents within the School District of Philadelphia. Participates in the multi-disciplinary team process and individual educational programming activities for students where relevant.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Two years of full-time, paid, professional experience as a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist working in schools with school-age students, which has included working with students with blindness/visual impairment and multiple disabilities, and writing IEP goals.
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal, state and local mandates governing the implementation of special education programs.
• Demonstrated knowledge of laws and regulations that affect orientation and mobility services.
• Demonstrated knowledge of principles, techniques, equipment, and literature used in providing orientation and mobility services.
• Demonstrated knowledge of major theories and intervention strategies with educational implications for students with visual impairments.
• Demonstrated knowledge of effective behavior management skills and training techniques.
• Demonstrated knowledge of how to prepare and use equipment and materials, such as tactile maps, models, optical devices, pre-canes, global positioning system (GPS) devices, and long canes for the development of orientation and mobility skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge of braille, basic orientation, mobility, and adaptive technology skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge of professional resources pertinent to the orientation and mobility profession.
• Demonstrated knowledge of basic principles of learning theories and their implications for orientation and mobility training.
• Demonstrated knowledge of how to plan and conduct orientation and mobility assessments and programs.
• Demonstrated ability to provide effective orientation and mobility training.
• Demonstrated ability to develop effective treatment plans and service.
• Demonstrated ability to provide for student safety during orientation and mobility instruction and in other environments while fostering maximum independence during orientation and mobility training.
• Demonstrated ability to provide orientation of new buildings and class schedules to students with visual impairments as needed.
• Demonstrated ability to document progress and relate it to students’ goals and objectives.
• Demonstrated ability to use assistive technology with students with visual impairments.
• Demonstrated ability to appropriately and correctly model orientation and mobility techniques for students, parents, teachers, and other school staff.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain accurate records.
• Demonstrated ability to assess the effectiveness of activities.
• Demonstrated ability to use a personal computer.
• Demonstrated ability to understand and follow oral or written directions.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Possession of a valid Orientation and Mobility Specialist certificate issued by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP).
• OR Possession of a valid National Orientation Mobility certificate (NOMC) issued by the National Blindness Professional Certification Board.

Responsibilities

• Participates in the diagnostic and Individualized Education Program (IEP) process for all students suspected of being visually impaired; evaluates students in the areas of orientation and mobility.
• Provides training and direct instruction in orientation and mobility techniques and in the use of orientation and mobility materials and devices including visual efficiency skills, utilization of residual vision, concept and sensory development, spatial orientation, familiarization to environments, and utilization of tactile, visual and auditory maps.
• Trains students on the necessary skills, which enable them to navigate familiar and unfamiliar environments, including retail stores, offices, and public transportation; trains students on self-advocacy and how to handle emergencies.
• Collaborates with teachers and assists in the development and implementation of the IEP as it relates to orientation and mobility services; works with teachers of the visually impaired to conduct functional vision assessments as it relates to independent travel.
• Develops long-term and short-term goals for each student; monitors student progress and adjusts goals as needed; maintains records of evaluations on student progress.
• Works with administrators, teachers, and other educational staff to support the implementation of students’ IEPs; collaborates with teachers and other school personnel to develop and implement strategies for students receiving orientation and mobility services.
• Designs, implements orientation, and mobility instruction based on assessment and observation of students; collect and maintain data to document and evaluate progress.
• Serves as a resource person to special education teachers and other professional/paraprofessional staff members engaged in the delivery of programs and services to visually impaired students.
• Keeps abreast of new developments and techniques in orientation and mobility.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior