VISUALLY HANDICAPPED EDUCATION SPECIALIST TRAINEE 47324

05/16/92 E

This is the trainee level class in the Visually Handicapped Education Specialist series. Positions in this class provide services to the visually impaired in order to help them achieve greater independence in living. This class, under the supervision of an experienced Teacher of the Visually Handicapped or Orientation and Mobility instructor, is taught how to provide assistance to all levels of visually handicapped persons aged birth through 21 years through the provision of instruction within their communities. This class is distinguished from the Visually Handicapped Education Specialist in that it is designed to develop knowledge and skills in client assessment, individualized client education, prescriptive instruction, or orientation and mobility by means of formal classroom instruction and on-the-job training in preparation for becoming a Visually Handicapped Education Specialist.

Complexity of Work: Performs work of moderate difficulty in one of two specialty areas while pursuing education/training in the other specialty area. Duties assigned to these two specialty areas are:

Orientation and Mobility: Provides individualized instruction in the development of self-motor patterns such as body awareness, balance, flexibility, strength, kinesthetic and vestibular awareness, sensory awareness, spatial/muscular memory, adaptive physical education, and developing skills with the use of the long cane, guide dogs, and visual aids. Plans and/or conducts diagnostic evaluations to determine client's needs for travel and mobility skills in sighted guide and self-protective techniques; basic cane techniques, student orientation to school setting, basic and advanced residential, downtown, rural, and public transportation travel; low vision assessment and training; and provide counseling and technical assistance to school systems and families.

Visually Handicapped Instructor: Provides individualized instruction in one or more of the following areas: braille literacy and Nemeth braille, braille readiness, typewriting, daily living activities, and developmental education skills. Provides low vision assessment and training, and counseling and technical assistance to school systems and families.

This class is responsible for accurately maintaining complex client/student record(s) and statistical reports, assisting in determining a visually impaired child's eligibility for services, providing/ordering adaptive materials needed by children and students and delivering materials to clients. Positions continually investigate new materials and methods of instruction.

Supervision Given: Supervision typically is not a factor.

Supervision Received: This class receives immediate supervision from a Virginia Certified Teacher of the Visually Impaired or a certified Orientation and Mobility instructor during internship in areas of training. In area of expertise, class receives direction from a program supervisor or regional manager on administrative issues or work assignments. Develops work sequence and individual client development plans within established policies.

Scope: This class performs assessment, evaluation, counseling, case management, and training which facilitates the Department's Program for Infants, Children, and Youth, and affects the social, physical, educational, vocational, and psychological well-being of visually disabled clients from age birth through 21 years.

Impact of Actions: Inappropriate client needs assessment and training coordination may have negative effects on a client's well-being and may impede client's progress towards knowledge enrichment. Major costs in time, money, court actions, services, goodwill, and agency integrity may be incurred through errors in judgment or decisions. Accuracy and clarity in staff/client instruction impacts both client and the community by facilitating the client's ability to be a positive, contributing member of society and enhancing society's acceptance of the client, thus building client confidence and reinforcing relations between the client, agency, and community.

Personal Contacts: Frequent internal and external contacts with clients, local school administrators/personnel, students, parents/family members, medical professionals, civic groups, vendors, and other professionals in the promotion of agency services, and to obtain information about programs and clients.

Knowledge: Considerable knowledge of Orientation and Mobility principles, practices and procedures, or considerable knowledge of education/learning theory and principles which can benefit the development of a visually impaired child.

Skills: None identified for this class.

Abilities: Ability to assess communication skills and/or independent mobility of visually impaired children. Ability to develop and implement a program of sensory stimulation, low vision utilization, skills, cognitive development, adaptive communication skills, and/or a program in orientation and mobility. Ability to provide counseling to parents and teachers of visually impaired children.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDE*

Licenses or Certification: None.

Education or Training: Graduation from an accredited four-year college with basic educational requirements for a degree in Orientation and Mobility, or with the special education requirements to meet Department of Education certification as a Teacher of the Visually Impaired. If neither qualification is present, trainee must have graduated from a four-year college, be eligible for enrollment in a dual Master's degree program, and be willing to attend 16 months of out-of-state schooling.

Level and Type of Experience: Some experience in teaching visually impaired children is preferred.

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

This is a new class, established May 16, 1992.