Job Descriptions of Rehabilitation Teachers and Orientation and Mobility Specialists in State Agencies

Abstract

This article describes the results of a survey on the roles of rehabilitation teachers and orientation and mobility (O&M) specialists employed by government agencies for the blind. To obtain the neccessary data, the authors mailed a letter and questionnaire to agency directors in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and three United States territories requesting the following information about both professionals: (1) job titles, (2) educational qualifications, (3) degrees in related fields the people hired for these jobs usually have, (4) requirements for certification by the American Association of Workers for the Blind (AA WB), (5) entry-level salary, (6) job duties, and (7) the territory the profession covers. The survey indicated that O&M specialists are more likely to need a master's degree than are rehabilitation teachers, AAWB certification is not required for either group, O&M specialists receive higher starting salaries, and their job duties are more specialized.