Position Purpose
Responsible for the services, instruction, and support that prepares students with visual impairments to travel independently and safely. The O&M specialist travels to the student’s assigned schools and/or home to provide direct and/or consultative services relating to the visual impairment. These services enable the students to travel safely, efficiently, and independently in their home, school, and community environments.
Essential Functions
- Develop, plan, prepare, and implement:
- Orientation and mobility evaluations that focus on long- and short-term needs of the student for new referrals and at intervals as designated by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
- Classroom materials, activities, and lesson plans that model appropriate O&M techniques.
- Individualized programs within the general curriculum to include orientation and mobility strategies.
- Instruction in visual efficiency, tactile symbols, braille, assistive technology, auditory skills, social skills, use of near and distance low vision devices, and other areas of the Expanded Core Curriculum.
- Spatial and environmental concepts and use of information received by the senses to establish, maintain, or regain orientation and line of travel.
- Adapted materials by registering eligible students with the Colorado Instructional Materials Center (CIMC).
- Facilitate student growth by developing gross and fine motor skills, sensory skills, and basic concepts.
- Create a classroom environment which maximizes instructional opportunity, supervise the behavior and wellbeing of students in the classroom and all educational settings, and administer discipline when appropriate.
- Monitor student learning and progress to:
- Prepare sequential and meaningful instruction geared to the student’s assessed needs, IEP goals and objectives, functional level, and motivation level.
- Evaluate success of the educational approaches, specialized instruction, supports, and services.
- Adapt support as needed.
- Maintain documentation pertinent to academic, social, and emotional progress and needs of students.
- Ensure appropriate vision-specific supports are in place and that necessary skills are attained for transition from school to adult life.
- Communicate students’ progress, needs, and eligibility with parents and other staff as needed.
- Collaborate:
- With the teacher of the visually impaired to conduct the functional vision assessment as it relates to independent travel.
- With parents/guardians, teachers, support personnel, administrators, and other special education providers to implement program and improve student outcomes for students with vision impairment.
- With colleagues in team and building-based meetings and discussions.
- Demonstrate a commitment to:
- Understand, appreciate, and make accommodations for student diversity.
- Include and engage families in the student’s education.
- Support all CEC policies, procedures, and expectations.
- Provide personal and professional excellence.
