ABOUT THE SCHOOL:
Located in the heart of Oakland, Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children is a one-of-a-kind educational experience committed to empowering our students to realize their full potential. The School also provides vital early intervention and outreach services to visually impaired students, with or without additional challenges, throughout western Pennsylvania. Founded in 1887, our School is best equipped to care for and educate students with visual impairments. As a private institution chartered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the School educates approximately 200 enrolled students from 80-85 school districts within western Pennsylvania.
Position Summary:
The Orientation & Mobility (O&M) Instructor is responsible for assessing, developing, and implementing individualized orientation and mobility programs for students who are blind, visually impaired, or have multiple disabilities, including visual impairment. The instructor provides direct instruction in a variety of educational and community-based environments to help students develop safe, efficient, and independent travel skills. As a key member of the educational team, the O&M Instructor collaborates with teachers, therapists, administrators, and families to ensure students achieve meaningful progress toward individualized educational and mobility goals.
The successful candidate will demonstrate expertise in orientation and mobility techniques, visual efficiency training, assistive technology, and instructional strategies that promote independence, self-determination, and community participation for students with diverse learning needs.
FLSA Status: Exempt
Working Schedule: 189 days per year; Mondays through Thursdays 7:45am-3:00pm Fridays 8:00am-3:00pm
Salary: To be determined based on education, experience, and bargaining unit agreement
Responsibilities:
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Conduct comprehensive orientation and mobility assessments to determine students' current skill levels, needs, and appropriate instructional goals.
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Develop and implement individualized orientation and mobility programs based on assessment findings and educational objectives.
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Provide direct instruction in a range of orientation and mobility skills, including but not limited to:
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Sighted guide techniques
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Protective techniques
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Human guide skills
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Cane travel skills
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Environmental and spatial awareness
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Street crossing and community travel
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Public transportation training
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Independent travel skills
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Power mobility instruction, when appropriate
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Deliver instruction in natural and functional environments, including classrooms, school campuses, residential settings, and community locations.
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Integrate visual efficiency skills and the effective use of residual vision into mobility instruction whenever appropriate.
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Adapt instructional methods and materials to meet the unique learning styles and needs of students with multiple disabilities.
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Participate as an active member of each student's Educational Team.
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Develop, implement, and monitor Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals and objectives related to orientation and mobility.
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Collect and maintain accurate data on student performance and progress.
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Prepare written reports, evaluations, progress updates, and other required documentation in a timely manner.
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Utilize assessment and progress-monitoring data to adjust instructional strategies and ensure continuous student growth.
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Consult regularly with teachers, therapists, administrators, residential staff, and families regarding student performance, needs, and accommodations.
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Provide recommendations regarding environmental modifications, mobility supports, adaptive equipment, and instructional strategies.
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Collaborate with multidisciplinary team members to ensure consistency of programming and student support across educational settings.
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Participate in staff meetings, professional development activities, and team planning sessions.
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Promote and maintain a safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environment for students and staff.
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Monitor student safety during mobility instruction in both school and community settings.
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Ensure the proper use and maintenance of mobility equipment and assistive devices.
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Follow all safety protocols, emergency procedures, and risk management practices.
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Maintain professional certification and stay current with developments in the field of orientation and mobility and visual impairment education.
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Adhere to all school policies, personnel guidelines, ethical standards, and applicable state and federal regulations.
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Demonstrate professionalism, confidentiality, and respect in all interactions with students, families, and colleagues.
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Perform additional duties as assigned that support the mission and goals of the school.
An Equal Opportunity Employer
- Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist.
- Teacher of the Visually Impaired – preferred, ACVREP certification.
- M.Ed. preferred, dual certification a plus (TVI/COMS).
- Knowledge of educating students with multiple disabilities, including visual impairment.
Physical Demands / Work Requirements:
The following physical demands are typical for a role in this setting:
- Ability to help lift and/or position students when necessary. Must be comfortable with lifting up to 50 pounds from the floor.
- Ability to lift and carry objects such as equipment, books, stacks of reports, etc, generally items weighing 20 pounds or less.
- Frequent reaching, bending, twisting, crouching, stooping, kneeling, crawling, sitting, and walking including up and down stairs.
- Pushing wheelchairs, moving/sliding student equipment.
- Ability to work in a hot humid environment in therapy pool area and outdoors during student activities and morning and afternoon transportation as needed.
- Communicate respectfully with multiple team members.
- Perform maintenance and upkeep of educational areas and therapy areas (i.e. OT/PT gym, clinic room, storage rooms).
- Assist with student enrichment groups and adapted sports programming as assigned.
- Ability to read and attend to computer screens.
- Manual dexterity skills for typing and use of various equipment.
- Comply with established policies and other duties.
- Perform other responsibilities as assigned.
