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Vision Loss Resources

For more than one hundred years Vision Loss Resources has created a community of service, skills, and support for people living with vision loss, blindness, and deafblindness. By learning new skills and connecting with others going through similar experiences, our clients adapt, connect, and thrive, opening doors to new opportunities rather than seeing their world narrow.

Position Purpose

This position supports the Rehabilitation Services department providing Adjustment to Blindness training for clients. Vision rehabilitation support is provided in the classroom setting at VLR offices and other settings in the community. The Rehabilitation Instructor will instruct clients using innovative and practical instruction methods that will allow them to reach their highest level of independence and involvement in the community, and in a way that demonstrates VLR’s core values of effective communication, teamwork, respect, creativity and inclusivity.

Job Type: Full-time salary with benefits

Pay:  $65,000 – $75,000 annually based on education and experience

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Design, evaluate and/or modify teaching approaches to accommodate different abilities and learning styles, both for individual and small group training for O&M.

• Be knowledgeable of methods for evaluating and have the ability to measure students’ progress using current industry best practices.
• Plan instruction and deliver rehabilitation that is aligned with VLR curriculum, using various motivation techniques to support clients in reaching individual goals and engage in collaborative teaching as needed.

• Review and improve VLR training and rehabilitation protocol and curriculum to stay current with best practices.
• Organize instructional area/facilities and equipment, determine needed equipment and supplies, and adapt and maintain equipment and resources to meet client requirements. Ensure equipment is properly used to maximize the client’s ability to accomplish educational/training goals.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, their family members, SSB Staff, and caregivers to deliver optimal rehabilitation support.
• Evaluate client progress and learning difficulties against goals and communicate this information to members of the client’s inter-disciplinary team. Jointly plan alternative strategies and processes to assist in client goal attainment.
• Complete daily documentation and semi-monthly status reports.

Position Qualifications

• Certification, or ability to be certified by Minnesota State Services for the Blind at the Advanced Level for orientation and mobility within 6 months of hire. https://mn.gov/deed/ssb/vendors/guide/certifications/atb-instructors/orientation/
• Proof of a Master’s degree from an approved university program that meets the 13 Domain Knowledge areas and current ACVREP certification as a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS), or eligible to sit for the certifying examination within 6 months of hire.

OR

• Proof of a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college that meets the 13 Domain Knowledge areas with an emphasis in Orientation and Mobility plus 350 hours of discipline specific supervised practice by a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS) as required for ACVREP Certification. If not currently ACVREP certified, eligible to sit for the certifying examination within 6 months of hire.
• Knowledge and training that meets the 13 Domain Knowledge areas:
  • Knowledge of professional information
  • Understanding of relevant medical information
  • Apply learning theories to O&M
  • Conduct O&M assessments
  • Plan O&M programs
  • Teach O&M concepts
  • Teach orientation strategies and skills
  • Teach mobility skills
  • Teach use of senses
  • Teach consumers who have additional disabilities
  • Teach diverse consumers
  • Analyze and modify the environment
  • Know psychosocial implications of blindness and visual impairment
• Ability to work in multi-cultural setting including hard-of-hearing, deaf, visually impaired, blind, or deafblind individuals.  May also work with clients who are recent immigrants from other countries.
• Ability to travel and manage travel arrangements independently in the metro area is essential.
• Competency with Microsoft ® Office Suite and using a database (database training provided).
• Ability to work both independently and within teams supporting team cohesion and goals.
• Commitment to the VLR mission to provide services, skills, and support for people with vision loss.
• Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated organizational, communication and project management skills.
• Ability to make recommendations with supporting rationale.
• Initiative and demonstrated pursuit of continuous improvement.
• Ability to maintain client confidentiality.

To apply please send cover letter and resume to hr@vlrw.org.

Vision Loss Resources is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer for all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

DeafBlind Services Minnesota advances the independence of children and adults with combined hearing and vision loss.

DeafBlind Services Minnesota (DBSM) brings one-to-one support to deafblind individuals of all ages, throughout Minnesota.

We currently have part time positions for a Support Service Provider (SSP).

Are you interested in supporting self-determined deafblind adults, age 22 and up, living throughout Minnesota? Our Support Service Providers (SSPs) work with deafblind adults with unique needs and communication styles. SSP’s assist the client in performing daily living activities such as shopping, reading mail, utilizing community services/resources or accessing the internet They also assist the deafblind with accessing their community life and information in their environment.

Important skills and qualities

• Strong commitment to the DBSM mission
• Requires exceptional communication, creativity, patience, and flexibility
• Practices safe work habits throughout all work activities
• Ability and desire to work with diverse people and organizations

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required
• ASL proficiency required with a willingness to utilize tactile (hand to hand) ASL clients (full time positions only).
• Proficiency in written English.
• Knowledge and experience with Minnesota’s Deafblind Community is required (full time positions only).
• Valid driver’s license with adequate insurance coverage, a safe reliable vehicle and the ability to travel to and from clients’ home’ and to transport clients in the community.
• Must have flexible availability including some mornings, afternoons and/or early evenings and weekends based on client and program needs (full time positions only).
• Must practice safe work habits throughout all work activities.
• Ability, desire and respect when working with diverse people and organizations.
• Strong work ethics/boundaries.

Apply online or via email to julie@vlrw.org.

DeafBlind Services Minnesota

DeafBlind Services Minnesota advances the independence of children and adults with combined hearing and vision loss.

Purpose:

• Provide support services that assist DeafBlind Youth in achieving their optimum level of independence and self-sufficiency
• Provide in-home and / or community-based instruction

Key Result Areas: 

The primary accountabilities for the position include:

1. Assist DeafBlind Youth in achieving independence and self-sufficiency

• Responsible for conducting one on one intervention in the home and/or community to provide clear and consistent sensory information to youth age’s birth through 21 whom are both deaf and blind.
• Facilitate language development and other identified needs: Provide clear and consistent communicated information to youth with dual sensory impairments.
• Facilitate the development of both expressive and receptive communication
• Conduct interventions to enable the youth’s participation alone and with peers/adults in activities and routines of the home and/or community, which may include learning through the use of natural routines and activities such as eating, bathing, playing, toileting etc.
• Works cooperatively with parents; discusses and models intervention and communication techniques to enable better and more frequent parent and child interactions.
• Accompany, support and supervise students during community based instruction.
• Facilitate interaction with other youth and community members.
• Serve on a youth’s education team if requested.

2. Reporting and Administration

• Work collaboratively with other professionals to integrate and document recommendations of the IEP/IFSP team.
• Participate in the preparation of individual plans; data and prepare progress reports as required
• Participate in required meetings
• Attend and complete required training courses

3. Positively contribute to DBSM’s mission, culture and values

• To assist deafblind individuals of all ages and all abilities to achieve their highest level of independence and self-sufficiency.
• Make decisions in the best interest of clients, students and DBSM
• Offer hospitality to every visitor and to each other
• Ensure self and staff demonstrate DBSM values in every interaction

I will have performed my job well when I:

1. Provide timely, high-quality work

• Help my students improve their communication abilities
• Help students gain independence
• Help students engage in community-based activities
• Develop and maintain positive, professional working relationships with families
• Complete administrative and reporting responsibilities in a timely manner
• Respect boundaries and follow agency and regulatory policies

2. Contribute to the team

• Assist other employees and departments willingly
• Share relevant information with coworkers
• Follow all agency and regulatory policies and procedures

3. Contribute to the mission

• To assist DeafBlind individuals of all ages and all abilities to achieve their highest level of independence and self-sufficiency.
• Contribute positively to DBSM’s culture and work environment
• Demonstrate DBSM core values

Physical Demands

• The physical demands may vary by client, and may require the ability to regularly walk, stoop, bend, reach overhead
• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. on an occasional basis

Education and Experience

• High school diploma, GED or equivalent math and reading skills of a high school graduate
• Prior experience working with children with multiple special needs
• ASL fluency required in some positions, Intervener certification desirable
• Valid driver’s license with required insurance coverage. Ability to travel to and from youth’s home, and to transport youth in the community.

Attributes:

• Strong commitment to the DBSM mission
• Requires exceptional communication, creativity, patience, and the ability to adapt teaching methods to the individual student
• Practices safe work habits throughout all work activities
• Ability and desire to work with diverse people and organizations

Vision Loss Resources is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer for all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

Apply online or via email to julie@vlrw.org.

DeafBlind Services Minnesota

DeafBlind Services Minnesota advances the independence of children and adults with combined hearing and vision loss.

Purpose:

• Provide support services to assist one or more DeafBlind adults in achieving their optimum level of independence and self-sufficiency
• Provide in-home and / or community-based instruction

Key Result Areas: 

The primary accountabilities for the position include:

1. Assist DeafBlind adults in achieving independence and self-sufficiency

• Responsible for conducting one on one intervention in the home and/or community to provide clear and consistent sensory information to adults who are both deaf and blind
• Facilitate language development and other identified needs: Provide clear and consistent communicated information to adults with dual sensory impairments
• Facilitate the development of both expressive and receptive communication
• Conduct interventions to enable the person’s participation alone and with peers/others in activities and routines of the home and/or community, which may include learning through the use of natural routines and activities such as eating, playing games, shopping, hanging out with friends, attending fun events, etc.
• Works cooperatively with parents and team members as needed; discusses and models intervention and communication techniques to enable better and more frequent client-family interactions
• Accompany, support and supervise the assigned client during community based instruction

1. Reporting and Administration

• Work collaboratively with family and other professionals as needed to integrate and document recommendations Intervener-related strategies and goals
• Participate in the preparation of individual goal plans; complete progress reports as required
• Participate in required meetings
• Attend and complete required training courses

1. Positively contribute to DBSM’s mission, culture and values

• To assist deafblind individuals of all ages and all abilities to achieve their highest level of independence and self-sufficiency
• Make decisions in the best interest of clients and DBSM
• Offer hospitality to every visitor and to each other
• Ensure self and staff demonstrate DBSM values in every interaction

I will have performed my job well when I:

1. Provide timely, high-quality work

• Help my clients improve their communication abilities
• Help clients gain independence
• Help clients engage in community-based activities
• Develop and maintain positive, professional working relationships with families and others
• Complete administrative and reporting responsibilities in a timely manner
• Respect boundaries and follow agency and regulatory policies

2. Contribute to the team

• Assist other employees and departments willingly
• Share relevant information with coworkers
• Follow all agency and regulatory policies and procedures

3. Contribute to the mission

• To assist DeafBlind individuals of all ages and all abilities to achieve their highest level of independence and self-sufficiency.
• Contribute positively to DBSM’s culture and work environment
• Demonstrate DBSM core values

Physical Demands

• The physical demands may vary by client, and may require the ability to regularly walk, stoop, bend, reach overhead
• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. on an occasional basis

Education and Experience

• High school diploma, GED or equivalent math and reading skills of a high school graduate
• Prior experience working with people with multiple special needs
• ASL proficiency required
• Must have either completed the Minnesota Deafblind Project 6-month Intervener Training Series or have experience working as an Intervener in a school district
• Valid driver’s license with required insurance coverage. Ability to travel to and from the person’s home, and to transport the person in the community. Must be able to serve clients throughout Dakota County

Attributes:

• Strong commitment to the DBSM mission
• Requires exceptional communication, creativity, patience, and the ability to adapt teaching methods to the individual student
• Practices safe work habits throughout all work activities
• Ability and desire to work with diverse people and organizations

Vision Loss Resources is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer for all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

Apply online or via email to julie@vlrw.org.