Job Description
Access Specialist/Braillist to assist with Kindergarten Visually Impaired Student.
Basic Qualifications
- High school diploma or GED.
- Physically able to perform assigned tasks.
- Flexibility to work in different situations, one-to-one, small and large groups, multiple settings.
- Tactful and effective with teachers, as well as students with disabilities and their families.
- Acceptance of students' disabilities and limitations.
- Ability to cope with change at short notice and with mental and emotional stress of the position.
- Good language, math, reading, spelling and writing skills.
- The strength, movement, and balance to fully participate with and physically assist student during physical education, recess, and other active tasks within the school environment.
- Skilled in use of computer (word processing).
- Adaptability to engage in directed and independent work and all aspects of the school day.
- Accepts direction from supervising teacher(s).
- Willingness to learn specific skills associated with working with a student who is blind/visually impaired; i.e., uncontracted braille, adapting print materials into braille/tactile materials, etc. (see below).
Preferred Education and Experience
Any combination of training, experience, and/or education equivalent to successful completion of a basic grade 2 Literacy Braille Code course and one year experience as a classroom paraprofessional.
Knowledge and Abilities
- Knowledge of the application of special education and Braille instruction, tutorial procedures, and practices or be willing to acquire.
- Basic grade 2 Literacy Braille Code or be willing to acquire.
- Beginning Nemeth Code for Math or be willing to acquire.
- Adaptive techniques, specialized materials, and equipment including Braille devices, computer, software, and print access technology or be willing to acquire.
- Reading and writing English communication skills.
- Willingness to modify general education curriculum materials under the supervision of the special education or VI teacher.
- Willingness to learn uncontracted braille.
- Willingness to learn about specialized, braille assistive technology (AT) tools; such as Mountbatten braillewriter, Perkins braille writer, computer access, etc.
- Willingness to learn basic orientation and mobility (O&M) skills.
- Willingness to learn and create curriculum and print material into braille/tactile materials; i.e., looking at a print worksheet, grasping the learning objective, and adapting the material so that it will yield a tactile product that will allow the student to achieve the learning objectives.
Direct Student Supervision
- Supervise student with visual impairment to ensure student safety.
- Monitor student access, participation· and progress in the general education curriculum and instruction under the supervision of multiple qualified teacher(s). This will include, but is not limited to a teacher of the Visually Impaired, an Orientation and Mobility Specialist, Developmental Adaptive Physical Education Teacher, Occupational Therapist, and additional Special Education Teachers.
- Promote student independence by understanding the disability of blindness and not encouraging "learned helplessness."
Representative Duties
Candidates may perform any combination of the essential functions shown below. This position description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, knowledge, or abilities associated with these classifications, but are intended to accurately reflect the principal job elements.
- Reinforce skills learned in the classroom by the teacher or Braille skills taught by the Teacher of the Blind/Visually Impaired.
- Consult with classroom teachers to provide accurate and appropriate adapted materials.
- Transcribe Braille to print or print to Braille in a timely fashion as needed by students and the Teacher of the Blind/Visually Impaired.
- Utilize and assist in the use of specialized computers and software and other Braille devices to transcribe instructional materials into Braille for use by students with vision impairments.
- Assist student with self-help needs.
- Attend staff meetings, staff development workshops, conferences, and other meetings as required. This may include additional hours outside of the traditional school year or school day, including summers and evenings.
- May carry out Individual Education Programs under supervision.
- May prepare and assist in the use of a variety of supplementary instructional materials and aids such as tactile illustrations, and aural media aids using specialized equipment.
- May accompany students on buses during field trips and before and after school hours, and provide instruction while en route.
- Demonstrate effective communication and collaborative teaming skills; i.e., intuitive understanding of
- what it takes to work with a variety of people and personalities and always communicate so that teaming and collaboration is promoted among all team members.
- Demonstrate flexibility and good organizational skills. This position requires a great deal of flexibility because of the ongoing change throughout the school year and in each day.
- Maintain student and family data privacy and confidentiality.
- Follow written and verbal directions of supervising teacher.
- Work with minimal supervision; i.e., ability to initiate appropriate activities, take on new tasks, etc.
- Provide a positive model for student behavior, social skills and communication skills.
- Demonstrate skills in managing the behavior of a student who is blind/visually impaired.
- As student grows in skills and in ability to learn in the general education curriculum, this position will also require an increase in knowledge of braille special braille technology, and other tactile methods, thus increased time may be needed to adapt materials.
- Participate in staff development activities as requested.
- Perform other special education related duties and responsibilities as directed by the principal and/or the supervising teacher(s).
- Perform related duties as assigned.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Open Until Filled
APPLICATION PROCESS:
Complete an application online including your cover letter, resume, transcripts, and letters of recommendation.
Dan Beert, Elementary Principal
Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial
607 Knights Lane
P.O. Box 160
Lake Crystal, MN 56055
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LCWM complies with state and federal fair employment regulations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age.
