VISUALLY HANDICAPPED INSTRUCTOR 47302

05/16/92 B

This is a single class series which provides services to the visually impaired to help them achieve personal and social adjustment and greater independence by using a variety of methods and resources to establish plans of action that meet the needs of each specific case. This class is distinguished from the Visually Handicapped Orientation and Mobility Instructor by its responsibility for serving clients of all ages and with diverse social backgrounds, visual impairment, physical ability, and psychological or emotional conditions to improve their living skills.

Complexity of Work: Performs work of moderate difficulty in the organization, by assessing, planning, and delivering individualized instruction to visually impaired/multiple handicapped clients. Positions evaluate clients' needs and eligibility for services, acquire visual and other relevant tests to determine physical potential, and develop specific plans of action to fulfill the needs of each client. Provides instruction to clients in the areas of braille, Abacus, reading, home management, personal hygiene, human sexuality, first aid, cooking and related skills. Maintains reports on clients concerning evaluation findings, training progress and recommendations, and coordinates goals and objectives of the clients' program with other instructional staff. Prepares appropriate materials for use in academic studies. Remains current in rehabilitation, personal and home management, independent living, and other interaction. Establishes and maintains community resources and volunteer services to assist in serving the physical and social needs of clients. Provides functional supervision to volunteers, student teachers, and interns assigned to area of responsibility.

Supervision Given: Supervision typically is not a factor.

Supervision Received: This class receives direction from a program supervisor or regional manager on administrative issues or work assignments. Develops own work sequences and individual client development plans within established policies.

Scope: Performs a wide range of counseling, training, and case management services to improve upon the social, physical, economic, vocational, and psychological well-being of visually disabled clients.

Impact of Actions: Inappropriate client needs assessment and training may have a negative effect on clients and may impede progress towards greater independence and employment. Major costs in time, money, court actions, services, goodwill, and agency integrity may be incurred through errors in judgment or decisions. Proficient client instruction impacts both client and the community by facilitating the client's ability to be a positive, contributing member of society, by building confidence and by strengthening relations between the agency and the community.

Personal Contacts: Frequent internal and external contacts with clients, instruc-tional staff, medical professionals, public groups, vendors, civic organizations, human and social services agencies, and other professionals in the promotion of agency services, and to obtain information about programs and clients.

Knowledge: Considerable knowledge of education/learning theory and principles. Working knowledge of the effects of blindness and of rehabilitative techniques and principles.

Skills: None identified for this class.

Abilities: Demonstrated ability to communicate with others; assess skills of visually impaired clients; provide counseling to clients; and instruct, plan, implement, and modify individualized instructional plans.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDE*

Licenses or Certification: None.

Education or Training: Graduation from an accredited college or university with major course work in education, special education, rehabilitative teaching, sociology, psychology, or a related field.

Level and Type of Experience: Some teaching experience or experience working in a closely related rehabilitative program.

An equivalent combination of training and experience indicating possession of the preceding knowledge and abilities may substitute for this education and experience.

This class was studied and revised by a Classification Review/Specification Update team, effective May 16, 1992.