Orientation and Mobility Specialist

Porter County Educational Services; Morgan Township (OH); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Part time

Job summary

A local educational service provider is looking for a Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist (COMS) to work primarily at Morgan Twp Schools. The role focuses on empowering individuals with visual impairments to achieve independence through tailored mobility training strategies. This part-time position requires certification and educational expertise in orientation and mobility specialties, ideally suited for professionals committed to enhancing the lives of their clients.

Qualifications

• Engaged in orientation and mobility training for individuals with visual impairments.
• Educated in various instructional techniques tailored to individual learners.
• Completion of COMS certification and internship is required.

Responsibilities

• Provide orientation and mobility training to clients of all ages.
• Use customized methods to meet clients' travel and visual needs.
• Develop skills for independent travel and self-confidence.

Skills

Orientation & Mobility

Nonvisual techniques

Problem solving

Independent travel

Education

COMS Certification

350+ hours internship

Job description

A Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist (COMS), is a highly trained expert who specializes in working with individuals who are blind, low vision or who have functional visual limitations, and empowers them to achieve their life goals for education, employment, avocation and independence. COMS are engaged in a comprehensive approach to orientation & mobility addressing nonvisual, visual, physical, cognitive, and psycho-social aspects related to mobility training for individuals of all ages, as well as diverse needs and abilities.

They are educated in a range of instructional techniques and how to recognize which approach is best suited to a particular learner. These techniques include, but are not limited to, inquiry-based learning, expeditionary learning, differentiated instruction, and direct instruction. COMS recognize that there is no single instructional strategy that would be best for everyone. COMS teach skills to meet the current and future orientation and mobility needs of their clients, accounting for each client's goals, travel environments, and visual prognoses. They use a guided exploration and problem-solving approach that is customized to the goals and skills of each learner. Methods and strategies include the use of non-visual techniques (auditory and tactual) and visual techniques including the optimization of reliable remaining vision . Strategies and problem-solving skills are taught with the goal to develop independent travelers with a high level of self-confidence.

The COMS has completed an extensive educational program and successfully completed a 350+ hour internship under the supervision of an experienced COMS. Furthermore, the COMS has met a rigorous standard by meeting the educational requirements, supervised fieldwork experiences in their internship and passing the certification exam.

This is an itinerant position with the majority of the caseload at Morgan Twp Schools. The position is a .6 position at 3 days/week.