Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired
VISION REHABILITATION THERAPIST / ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY SPECIALIST
Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Utica, New York, United States
VISION REHABILITATION THERAPIST / ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY SPECIALIST
Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired seeks a dedicated Vision Rehabilitation Therapist / Orientation and Mobility Specialist to provide specialized rehabilitation teaching and orientation and mobility to children and adult consumers who are blind and visually impaired, enabling them to achieve their highest level of functioning.
Relocation assistance available
Statement of Purpose Provides specialized rehabilitation teaching as well as orientation and mobility to children and adult consumers who are blind and visually impaired, enabling them to achieve their highest level of functioning.
General Requirements
High level of professionalism, confidentiality, communication, teamwork, creativity, problem solving, planning, and organizational skills.
Empathy, sensitivity, flexibility, and ability to get along well with a wide variety of personalities.
Excellent teaching skills and overall knowledge of community resources.
Key Job Elements
Conduct comprehensive rehabilitation teaching and orientation and mobility evaluations and assessments, and develop and implement personalized lesson plans.
Provide direct rehabilitation teaching instruction to adults and children, including personal care management, communication, home management, leisure activities, and technology.
Effectively teach orientation and mobility in a timely manner including indoor mobility, cane skills, outdoor travel, public transportation, protective techniques, and sighted guide. Instruction also includes body and environmental concepts.
Instruct consumers in use of low vision aids and adaptive equipment.
Provide consultative services to other CABVI departments as it pertains to agency building expansion, assessing environments for employee safety, ease of travel, and other O&M related concerns.
Maintain a caseload of adults and children, overseeing social casework, rehab services, and referrals to other agencies.
Assist in the development and implementation of Adaptive Sports and Recreational programs for children and adults.
Assist in the implementation of children specific programming including camps, pre‑vocational and vocational programs.
Complete all required documentation in a timely manner.
Consult, refer, and network with primary caregivers, families, school districts, NYSCB/ACCESS‑VR personnel, associated professionals, and CABVI staff.
Conduct community presentations and represent CABVI at meetings as assigned.
Maintain awareness of current academic material and research; continue professional development in the rehabilitation field.
Adapt to change and complete other duties as assigned.
Consistently achieve annual performance objectives.
Supervisory Responsibilities None.
Communication Skills
Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from consumers, professionals, and the general public.
Ability to write effective plans, reports, and correspondence.
Ability to provide visual cues according to the consumer’s visual status.
Excellent listening skills and the ability to develop confidence and self‑esteem.
Computer/Technical Skills
Basic computer skills and grade I and grade II Braille skills.
Knowledgeable and remain current with low vision aids and adaptive equipment.
Knowledgeable in map development and reading, orthopedic prosthetic and cane technique.
Willingness to learn new technology.
Reasoning Ability
Define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
Recognize the consumer’s status in relationship to their level of acceptance and respond accordingly.
Maintain strict adherence to CABVI’s mission statement and core values.
Physical Demands Frequently required to talk, hear, stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, stoop, and kneel. Occasionally must lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Position requires stamina for indoor/outdoor training. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the key job elements.
Work Environment Extensive travel required. Instruction may occur in a variety of environments including consumer’s home or school, CABVI, or the community.
Education and/or Experience Master’s degree in Vision Rehabilitation Therapy and Orientation and Mobility, plus one year of experience in the human services field. Bachelor’s Degree in field of Human Services. ACVREP certification preferred. Must meet Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped, Dept. of Special Education, and Dept. of Health personnel standards. Experience with adaptive sports and recreation and children’s recreational programming a plus.
Pay Rate $56,000–$75,000 per year
Seniority Level
Entry level
Employment Type
Full‑time
Job Function
Other
Industries
Individual and Family Services
CABVI is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of any legally protected status or characteristic. Protected veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
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Relocation assistance available
Statement of Purpose Provides specialized rehabilitation teaching as well as orientation and mobility to children and adult consumers who are blind and visually impaired, enabling them to achieve their highest level of functioning.
General Requirements
High level of professionalism, confidentiality, communication, teamwork, creativity, problem solving, planning, and organizational skills.
Empathy, sensitivity, flexibility, and ability to get along well with a wide variety of personalities.
Excellent teaching skills and overall knowledge of community resources.
Key Job Elements
Conduct comprehensive rehabilitation teaching and orientation and mobility evaluations and assessments, and develop and implement personalized lesson plans.
Provide direct rehabilitation teaching instruction to adults and children, including personal care management, communication, home management, leisure activities, and technology.
Effectively teach orientation and mobility in a timely manner including indoor mobility, cane skills, outdoor travel, public transportation, protective techniques, and sighted guide. Instruction also includes body and environmental concepts.
Instruct consumers in use of low vision aids and adaptive equipment.
Provide consultative services to other CABVI departments as it pertains to agency building expansion, assessing environments for employee safety, ease of travel, and other O&M related concerns.
Maintain a caseload of adults and children, overseeing social casework, rehab services, and referrals to other agencies.
Assist in the development and implementation of Adaptive Sports and Recreational programs for children and adults.
Assist in the implementation of children specific programming including camps, pre‑vocational and vocational programs.
Complete all required documentation in a timely manner.
Consult, refer, and network with primary caregivers, families, school districts, NYSCB/ACCESS‑VR personnel, associated professionals, and CABVI staff.
Conduct community presentations and represent CABVI at meetings as assigned.
Maintain awareness of current academic material and research; continue professional development in the rehabilitation field.
Adapt to change and complete other duties as assigned.
Consistently achieve annual performance objectives.
Supervisory Responsibilities None.
Communication Skills
Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from consumers, professionals, and the general public.
Ability to write effective plans, reports, and correspondence.
Ability to provide visual cues according to the consumer’s visual status.
Excellent listening skills and the ability to develop confidence and self‑esteem.
Computer/Technical Skills
Basic computer skills and grade I and grade II Braille skills.
Knowledgeable and remain current with low vision aids and adaptive equipment.
Knowledgeable in map development and reading, orthopedic prosthetic and cane technique.
Willingness to learn new technology.
Reasoning Ability
Define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
Recognize the consumer’s status in relationship to their level of acceptance and respond accordingly.
Maintain strict adherence to CABVI’s mission statement and core values.
Physical Demands Frequently required to talk, hear, stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, stoop, and kneel. Occasionally must lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Position requires stamina for indoor/outdoor training. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the key job elements.
Work Environment Extensive travel required. Instruction may occur in a variety of environments including consumer’s home or school, CABVI, or the community.
Education and/or Experience Master’s degree in Vision Rehabilitation Therapy and Orientation and Mobility, plus one year of experience in the human services field. Bachelor’s Degree in field of Human Services. ACVREP certification preferred. Must meet Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped, Dept. of Special Education, and Dept. of Health personnel standards. Experience with adaptive sports and recreation and children’s recreational programming a plus.
Pay Rate $56,000–$75,000 per year
Seniority Level
Entry level
Employment Type
Full‑time
Job Function
Other
Industries
Individual and Family Services
CABVI is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of any legally protected status or characteristic. Protected veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
#J-18808-Ljbffr