Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists
Orientation and mobility specialist provide therapy to patients with visual impairments to improve their functioning in daily life activities.
A low vision rehabilitation therapist provides therapy and instructs individuals with low visual impairments to improve their daily functional activities. They train the patients to use the computers, communication skills, and home management skills. Their daily tasks include teaching skills using various sources such as guide, diagonal techniques, and two-point touches.
The orientation and mobility specialist uses different mobility devices and systems such as human guides, long canes, electronic travel aids (ETAs), and other adaptive mobility devices (AMDs). They develop rehabilitation, instructional plans with clients based on the assessment result, needs, and goals.
To pursue a career as vision rehabilitation therapist, the candidate must have a Bachelor's degree followed by a Master's degree with a good work experience in the relevant field. Also, the applicant must be proficient in using software applications such as Amazon Web Services, Zoomware Screen Magnifier, Oracle JAVA, Python, SAP etc.
To become a successful orientation and mobility specialist, one must have the ability to communicate and share the information to the patients, learn the human behaviour, and performance, customer and personal service needs, and train the customers using proper guidance and resources. Some career options for this field are- Rehabilitation Teacher, Visual Impaired Teacher, Mobility Specialist.
Qualifications
Every career requires an element of study and academic qualification, and there can be several study routes and pathways you can take. In following any academic pathway you will study subjects that contribute to the specialised knowledge required to achieve your career goals. These qualifications provide a future employer with the evidence that you have the desired knowledge, understanding and experience of their industry, so it’s important to consider the various types of qualifications available to you and to understand how they can boost your career and create opportunities for you.
- B.Sc. Occupational Therapy
- B.R.Sc Rehabilitation Science
- M.R.Sc Rehabilitation Science
- M.Sc. Occupational Therapy
- Diploma Rehabilitation Therapy
Tasks
- Teach cane skills, including cane use with a guide, diagonal techniques, and two-point touches.
- Refer clients to services, such as eye care, health care, rehabilitation, and counseling, to enhance visual and life functioning or when condition exceeds scope of practice.
- Provide consultation, support, or education to groups such as parents and teachers.
- Participate in professional development activities, such as reading literature, continuing education, attending conferences, and collaborating with colleagues.
- Obtain, distribute, or maintain low vision devices.
- Design instructional programs to improve communication, using devices such as slates and styluses, braillers, keyboards, adaptive handwriting devices, talking book machines, digital books, and optical character readers (OCRs).
- Collaborate with specialists, such as rehabilitation counselors, speech pathologists, and occupational therapists, to provide client solutions.
- Administer tests and interpret test results to develop rehabilitation plans for clients.
- Train clients to read or write Braille.
- Teach clients to travel independently, using a variety of actual or simulated travel situations or exercises.
Progression Routes
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