Summer Orientation and Mobility Specialist - Special Education

Haverhill Public Schools•Haverhill, MA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

This position is for a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS) to work with students with vision loss in a summer program. COMS are professionals trained to work with students from birth through adulthood who have uncorrectable vision pathologies or function as blind or visually impaired, including those with multiple disabilities. The role involves teaching orientation and mobility skills, which are essential for safe travel and understanding environments with or without vision. Training typically starts in familiar settings and can extend to the community. The COMS role is interdisciplinary, requiring knowledge of eye conditions and their impact on travel, magnification and assistive devices, relevant laws, and local resources. Responsibilities include direct teaching, conducting assessments, and consulting with other professionals, parents, and students to ensure accessibility and support for students with visual impairments.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in a related field
Certification as an Orientation and Mobility Specialist
Experienced in a school setting
Able to work in a team environment
Excellent written and oral communication skills
Flexible
Able to pay attention to the overall environment and specific details
Strong verbal and written communication skills

Nice To Haves

Bilingual preferred

Responsibilities

Direct teaching of skills such as low vision device use, motor skills for balance/posture/gait, adaptive devices, orientation, tactile skills, assistive technology for travel, visual efficiency, listening, protective techniques, sighted guide techniques, pre-cane skills, long cane training, adaptive mobility devices, daily living skills, leisure/recreation skills, map skills/route planning, pedestrian travel skills, analysis of intersections/traffic patterns, use of traffic control devices, street crossing techniques, use of public transportation, social skills, self-advocacy, communication, and personal safety awareness.
Consultation with school staff, including teachers, bus drivers, cafeteria staff, and other service providers, to help them understand the unique needs of students with visual impairments and provide information on travel strategies, sighted guide assistance, emergency evacuation, classroom environment, and effective communication.
Interpretation of medical eye reports and functional vision assessments to school personnel to explain eye conditions and their implications for safe travel.
Making recommendations for the physical environment (lighting, seating, glare reduction, movement, equipment) to enhance accessibility.
Training staff on reinforcing and assisting students as needed.
Observing classes and meeting with teachers, parents, and other specialists to evaluate and coordinate student programs.
Planning and conferring with staff and other providers on the Expanded Core Curriculum areas.
Serving as an active member of the student's educational Team, assisting in IEP development and progress monitoring.
Consultation with parents to provide information about visual impairment, resources, and help them understand their child's needs and promote independence at home.
Consultation with students to help them understand their visual condition, its implications, and how to communicate effectively.
Assisting with transitions between educational levels and promoting independence by teaching students how to access agencies and resources.
Preparing/acquiring/adapting materials, including tactile and large print maps.
Conducting and interpreting Functional Vision Assessments (FVA) related to orientation and mobility skills.
Conducting ongoing assessment of skills and maintaining progress records.
Obtaining and interpreting medical eye reports and outside specialist assessments.
Recommending specialized evaluations (e.g., technology, low vision, OT, PT, rehabilitation therapist, Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments).
Writing assessment and progress reports.
Maintaining files of student vision information, including medical reports.
Maintaining contact with counselors and rehabilitation workers from relevant agencies.
Consulting with the Team regarding agencies that provide specialized evaluation and/or training.