Orientation & Mobility Instructor

Lighthouse Guild International, Inc.; New York (NY); On-site; USD 84,000 - 91,000; Full time

Job summary

Lighthouse Guild International, Inc. in New York City seeks a full-time Orientation and Mobility Instructor to teach independent travel skills to individuals who are visually impaired. The role covers home, community, and transportation navigation, using adaptive techniques and technology as needed.

The candidate will assess needs, prepare individualized O&M programs, and write required assessments and reports. A Master’s degree or equivalent, plus ACVREP COMS certification, is required.

Qualifications

• Excellent writing and communication skills are required.
• Ability to travel independently throughout NYC using public transportation.
• Strong knowledge of computers and software applications.

Responsibilities

• Assess and evaluate orientation and mobility needs in various environments.
• Teach O&M travel skills including cane usage, street crossing, and access to transportation.
• Provide instruction to individuals of all ages; write assessments and reports.
• Distribute white canes as needed and follow up with participants.

Skills

Excellent writing and communication

Independent travel in NYC using public

Computers and software applications

Education

Master’s degree in orientation and mobility instruction

ACVREP COMS certification (current)

Job description

• Salary Range : $84,273.09 USD to $90,760.76 USD

Locations

Showing 1 location

Lighthouse Guild
250 W 64th St
New York, NY 10023, USA

Description

Lighthouse Guild is the leading not-for-profit healthcare organization dedicated to addressing and preventing vision loss. Our mission is to provide exceptional services that inspire people who are visually impaired to attain their goals. Our vision is a world in which no person is limited by their visual capacity. Our Rehabilitation Department is seeking a full time Orientation and Mobility Instructor to provide instruction and guidance to individuals with vision impairments in safely and independently navigating the home and community environments by teaching adaptive travel techniques. The O&M Instructor is responsible for teaching individuals who are blind/visually impaired to travel as independently, safely, and efficiently as possible in any environment. The O&M Instructor teaches travel skills; plans and provides individualized O&M programs while positively motivating individuals to develop appropriate skills, attitudes, and knowledge; utilizes a variety of instructional techniques appropriate to their abilities; and creates a safe and orderly learning environment.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assess and evaluate orientation and mobility needs in the home, community, educational, and workplace environments
• Teach skills needed for safe and independent travel including basic O&M concepts (utilizing senses, sighted guide, hand trailing, use of landmarks and clues, etc) for navigation in the home; cane skills, street crossings including intersection analysis, etc. for travel within the community; skills needed to independently access public transportation, utilizing technology when needed.
• Provide instruction to individuals of all ages including children, adults and older adults
• Provide safe travel and mobility management for individuals funded through the DOT 5310 program, the New York State Commission for the Blind (NYSCB) and private pay.
• Write assessments and final reports as required by funders and adhere to contract regulations.
• Dispense white canes as needed.
• Provide follow-up with participants attending LGI Outreach Department’s presentations on safe travel and mobility management.
• Meet regularly with supervisor for case reviews.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Excellent Writing and communication skills and strong knowledge of computers and software applications

Ability to independently travel throughout NYC using public transportation

Education:

Master’s degree or bachelor's degree with specialization in orientation and mobility instruction or a bachelor's degree and successful completion of instruction of a NYSCB approved program for orientation and mobility instruction professionals which meets nationally accepted standards.

Current O&M certification by ACVREP (COMS)

Compensation: Salary is commensurate with education level

Equal Opportunity Employer
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