Escondido Union School District -

Under the direction of the Assistant Superintendent of Student Support Services or designee, the Teacher of the Visually Impaired provides itinerant support for students who qualify for vision services; direct instruction in the use of specialized materials (Braille, tactile representation; optical low vision aids, etc.) and accommodation/modification of the curriculum as necessary; to access school environment and curriculum, utilizes support equipment appropriate for level of visual impairment.

Specific responsibilities will include but will not be limited to the following:

• Conduct functional vision assessments to consider service recommendations. Develop lesson plans and instructional materials and provide individual and small group instruction in order to adapt the curriculum to the needs of each student.

• Provide Braille instruction, transcription and training in other special learning media for assisting students in accessing the curriculum.

• Participate as a member of the IEP team to develop IEP goals, objectives, adaptations, accommodations, modifications and instructional plans; implement and monitor the IEP.

• Provide consultation to classroom teachers, specialists, and parents to identify and facilitate the use of accommodations/modifications required to access curriculum and participate in state and district assessments.

• Assist the student, parents, special and regular education personnel, and the student’s sighted- peers in understanding the unique educational needs and learning characteristics of visually impaired students.

• Assist the site administrator and teachers in making environmental adjustments if needed.

• Assure that large-type or braille texts, supplementary materials, educational aides and equipment needed by the visually impaired student and the classroom teacher are provided in a timely manner.

• Recommend and oversee the use and maintenance of specialized VI equipment; maintain required inventory records; obtain modified standardized testing materials.

• Complete thorough initial evaluations, additional assessments and triennial re-evaluations within district, state and federal guidelines and develop legally compliant IEP’s and assessment reports.

• Utilize comprehensive assessment results in developing appropriate IEP goals and objectives to accommodate the wide variety of individual needs of each student.

• Maintain appropriate documentation as required by law and district policy (i.e. assessment reports, IEP’s, progress reports, data collection on goals and objectives, etc.).

• Interpret eye medical reports as they relate to the educational environments.

• Prepare and deliver sequential and meaningful instruction geared to the student’s assessed needs, IEP goals, objectives and functional level.

• Ability to travel between work locations to provide services, attend meetings and in-services.

• Make appropriate referrals, if necessary, to other professionals in the district.

• Perform observations and assessments at off-site locations (or at locations other than traditional school setting).

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Federal and State laws and regulations surrounding the provision of special education services and district policies and procedures; research based principles, methods, techniques and strategies in vision assessment and instruction that are appropriate for students who are visually impaired; development and behavior characteristics of visually impaired students; equipment operation related to the visually impaired; basic computer and instructional technology skills.

Conduct, analyze, and effectively utilize a variety of interventions applicable to students with visual impairments; collaborate and communicate effectively both orally and in writing; utilize technology to enhance lessons and as a means for various types of communication and record keeping; establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with all stakeholders; to guide parents and classroom teachers to a greater understanding of visual impairments; ability to make decisions and maintain professional relationships with students, parents, and other district personnel; understand and carry out oral and written directions with minimal accountability controls.

The usual and customary methods of performing the job’s functions requires the following physical demands: hearing and speaking to exchange information and make presentations; dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard; have a means of transportation to conduct work; seeing to conduct inspections of data; and occasional lifting of boxes and equipment and bending or reaching for files and equipment. Weight of materials will vary, but generally less than fifty (50) pounds. Generally, the job requires 60% sitting, 20% walking and 20% standing. May be required to correctly transfer or restrain a child physically if needed. Will work with students who have significant academic and social/emotional needs. The job is performed under fluctuating temperature variations, a generally hazard free environment and in a clean atmosphere.

Possession of any of the following credentials:

Education Specialist Instruction Credential—Visual Impairments, Specialist Credential in Special Education—Visually Handicapped or equivalent or currently enrolled in a Visual Impairment credentialing program with the ability to obtain an intern credential prior to employment.

Must pass pre-employment physical examination and fingerprint clearance following an offer of employment.

Bachelor’s degree required

Placement on the certificated salary schedule

Board Approval: 03/14/2019