Orientation and Mobility

Overview

Reports To: Administration
Supervises: Students
Department: District
Classification: Certified
Work Year: Determined on an as needed basis
Contract Dates: School Year
FLSA Status: Exempt
Evaluation: Per GEA Contract
Qualifications: Bachelor s and/or Master s Degree ACVREP (Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Educational Professionals) Certification

Experience with school-aged children
Experience With Children With Multiple Disabilities
Valid Illinois Driver s license and safe driving record

Purpose: Orientation and Mobility (O & M) is that part of the educational process that prepares the student with a visual impairment to travel independently. The O & M specialist travels to the students  assigned school and/or home to provide direct and/or consultative special education services relating to the student s vision loss. The O & M specialist is prepared to provide service to an array of students including students with low vision and/or multiple impairments.

These services enable the student to travel safely and independently in the home, school and community environments.

These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

• Perform Orientation and Mobility evaluations (new referral/case study evaluations. Include in the report the needs and strengths of the student.
• Prepares sequential and meaningful instruction geared to the students  assessed needs, IEP goals and objectives, functioning and motivational levels.
• Provide consultation and support services to families, regular and special education teacher, other school personnel, and students  sighted peers.
• Confer regularly with the education team to assist in home and classroom modifications to ensure reinforcement of appropriate O & M skills.
• Instruction is often necessary to occur off-campus, so the need for transportation for this community-based instruction is important.
• Prepare and use equipment and materials, such as tactile maps, models, optical devices, pre-canes, GPS devices and long canes for the development of O&M skills.
• Provide orientation of new buildings and new class schedules to students with visual impairments as needed, including those community settings where students receive instruction.
• Work with the teacher of students with visual impairments to conduct the Functional Vision Assessment as it relates to independent travel.
• Evaluate the student s progress on an on-going basis and keep progress notes on each student.
• Emphasize social integration with peers and provide opportunities for interaction.
• Maintain appropriate records.
• Act as Liaison between community and school.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Gavin School District 37 assures Equal Employment Opportunities and equal education opportunities for employees and students as required by Federal and State Orders and Laws. This job description is intended to accurately reflect the position activities and requirements. It is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills, or working conditions associated with the position.

The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is moderate to loud. Duties are performed indoors and occasionally outdoors.

for salary and benefits