Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist; COMS

Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS)

Supervisor:
Director for Special Education

Evaluation Completed By:
Supervisor or Designee

Job Summary:

A Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS) teaches individuals with visual impairments to travel safely, confidently, and independently in their environment. These services enable the students to learn in a variety of settings and meet established outcomes based on students' individual education program (IEP) and capacity to master learning objectives.

Qualification Requirement:
Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS) from Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP).

Performance Responsibilities:

• Instructs the visually impaired student in a variety of areas in the development of skills and knowledge that enables him or her to travel independently, based on assessed needs and ability.
• Teaches the visually impaired student to travel with proficiency, safety, and confidence in familiar and unfamiliar environments.
• Consults regularly with sighted peers, parents, classroom teachers, physical education teachers, and/or other special education personnel to assist in home and classroom environmental modifications, adaptations, and considerations and to ensure reinforcement of appropriate O&M skills that will encourage the visually impaired student to travel independently in these settings.
• Works with the teacher of students with visual impairments to conduct the functional vision assessment as it relates to independent travel.
• Conducts assessments that focus on both long and short-term needs of the student.
• Includes in the evaluation report the needs and strengths of the student and an estimate of the length and frequency of service necessary to meet identified needs.
• Prepares sequential and meaningful instruction geared to the student's assessed needs, IEP goals and objectives, functioning, and motivational levels. This instruction should be reflected in weekly or monthly lesson plans, as appropriate.
• Prepares and uses equipment and materials, for example, tactile maps, models, distance low vision devices, and long canes, for the development of O&M skills.
• Transports the student with parent permission to various community locations, as necessary, to provide meaningful instruction in realistic learning environments.
• Is responsible for the student's safety at all times and in all teaching environments while fostering maximum independence.
• Evaluates the student's progress on an ongoing basis with progress reports every 9 weeks, as required.
• Keeps service logs on each student.
• Participates in necessary parent conferences and meetings.
• Provides in-service training to regular and special education personnel, sighted peers, and parents concerning the O&M needs of the student and appropriate methods and procedures for interacting with the visually impaired person that will foster maximum independence and safety.
• Prepare physical condition of the learning environments to facilitate student learning; keep daily records and make reports on student attendance, learning and social needs, assignments, assessments and discipline; supervise paras assigned.
• Adhere to the district guidelines pertaining to confidential records.
• Obtain advance approval for all special activities and expenditures.
• Comply with all district policies, rules and regulations.
• Other duties as assigned by Special Education Administration.

Physical Requirements /

Environmental Conditions:

Physical and emotional ability and dexterity to perform required work and move about as needed in a fast-pace, high-intensive work environment.

Terms of Employment:
Certified Employee

Exemption Status:
Exempt Employee

Employee Acknowledgement:
This document describes the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.