Also called:
Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS), Orientation and Mobility Specialist (O and M Specialist), Vision Rehabilitation Therapist (VRT), Visually Impaired Teacher (TVI)
Being self-sufficient in everyday life contributes to a person’s confidence and self-esteem. Occupational therapists – also called OTs – help people develop…recover… and improve their self-sufficiency and the ability to enjoy work and daily activities…more fully. Patients typically seek out the help of OTs due to disability, illness, injury, or mental health issues. They help patients with daily life activities such as feeding themselves, getting ready for work without assistance, using public transportation, and participating in school. OTs work with their patients to identify goals for treatment, then create treatment plans to reach them. Occupational therapists evaluate patients’ homes and workplaces to find ways to better prepare the environment for their needs; for example, labeling cabinets or removing fall hazards. They often educate a patient’s family and employer about how to accommodate the person’s needs, and document patients’ progress throughout the treatment. These therapists work at hospitals, clinics, schools, and nursing homes. They spend a lot of time on their feet, and may lift or move patients. Many travel to meet patients in different settings, and may work evenings and weekends. Being supportive and enthusiastic are important personal qualities for OTs. A master’s degree and a license are required to enter the field; though some positions require a doctoral-level degree. Occupational therapy is often a demanding career, but it’s one that offers a rich reward— helping people lead more active and independent lives.
What they do:
Provide therapy to patients with visual impairments to improve their functioning in daily life activities. May train patients in activities such as computer use, communication skills, or home management skills.
On the job, you would:
Teach cane skills, including cane use with a guide, diagonal techniques, and two-point touches.
Recommend appropriate mobility devices or systems, such as human guides, dog guides, long canes, electronic travel aids (ETAs), and other adaptive mobility devices (AMDs).
Train clients with visual impairments to use mobility devices or systems, such as human guides, dog guides, electronic travel aids (ETAs), and other adaptive mobility devices (AMDs).
Arts and Humanities
English language
Education and Training
teaching and course design
Math and Science
psychology
sociology and anthropology
Transportation
movement of people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road
Basic Skills
listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
talking to others
Problem Solving
noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
Social
looking for ways to help people
teaching people how to do something
Verbal
communicate by speaking
listen and understand what people say
Ideas and Logic
notice when problems happen
use rules to solve problems
People interested in this work like activities that include helping people, teaching, and talking.
They do well at jobs that need:
Concern for Others
Integrity
Dependability
Independence
Adaptability/Flexibility
Self Control
You might use software like this on the job:
Enterprise resource planning ERP software
Oracle PeopleSoft
SAP business and customer relations management software
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Device drivers or system software
Ai Squared ZoomText
ZoomWare Screen Magnifier
master's degree or certificate after college usually needed
Get started on your career:
New job opportunities are very likely in the future.
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