Occ. Code 8323300

Mobility Instructor, Grade 18

New York State Department of Civil Service

Classification Standard

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF CLASS

            The positions in this class have primary responsibility for enhancing employability, maximizing independence, and assisting in the development of the capacities and strengths of people with blind and/or visual impairments.  Incumbents teach vision-impaired people the skills, concepts, and techniques necessary to travel safely, efficiently, and confidently through any environment and under all environmental conditions and situations.  Incumbents work one-on-one with clients in their homes and neighborhoods to help them learn adaptive skills that allow them to overcome the obstacles in day-to-day life, enabling them to more fully integrate into their community.  

            Mobility Instructors generally exist only in the field offices of the Office of Children and Family Services.  All incumbents perform various duties and functions in conjunction with the overall operation of facility and/or location to which they are assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

MOBILITY INSTRUCTOR:  performance level; incumbents are expected to perform independently the full range of duties associated with orientation and mobility, assisting in the development of the capacities and strengths of people who are blind and visually impaired.

ILLUSTRATIVE DUTIES

Review new cases to determine whether potential consumers meet eligibility requirements of agency and/or whether consumers can benefit from Orientation and Mobility Training.  

· Accept and screen referrals for orientation and mobility training from agencies and individuals.

· Evaluate individuals needs relative to their vocational goals.

· Develop and carry out individualized orientation and mobility training for each acceptable consumer.

Provide Orientation and Mobility training to blind persons.

· Work with children, adult, and elderly consumers in their homes and neighborhoods.

· Assist with basic orientation and concepts of body awareness, directionality and geometric shapes.

· Assist consumers with obtaining independence and confidence.

· Teach primary travel systems using residual vision, sighted guide, long cane, prescribed low vision aides or a combination of travel systems.

· May integrate the use of a guide dog and electronic vision enhancement systems.

· Teach effective indoor travel techniques.

· Teach self-protective techniques.

· Provide training and room or building familiarization.

· Teach safe and effective negotiation of outdoor areas including street crossing at various traffic controlled intersections.

· Assist with learning how to use public transportation.

· Follow up, after the completion of training, to determine whether further training or assistance is needed.

Coordinate services with other agencies provided to the consumer, including transportation services, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and counseling services.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Open Competitive:  A Masters Degree with specialization in orientation and mobility; or a Bachelors Degree and successful completion of the following courses: Anatomy of the Eye and Low Vision, Psycho-Social Aspects of Visual Impairment, Medical Aspects of Disability, Methods in Orientation and Mobility, and Student Teaching and/or internship in Origination and Mobility.

Date:  8/09

NOTE: Classification Standards illustrate the nature, extent and scope of duties and responsibilities of the classes they describe.  Standards cannot and do not include all of the work that might be appropriately performed by a class.  The minimum qualifications above are those which were required for appointment at the time the Classification Standard was written.  Please contact the Division of Staffing Services for current information on minimum qualification requirements for appointment or examination.