Hi,
I was wondering how the shortage of Certified O&M Specialists is effecting the instruction for students who are blind/low vision across the USA?
Are states letting people work under a Temporary Teacher's license and covering O&M???
Do all university programs require people who are completing their O&M courses to take the ACVREP test then certification?? Or can they get their certification from a different source?? If so, then is the person eligible to get their state license to teach in schools or would it just cover adults?
Are school districts letting the TVIs covering the O&M piece?? If so, is there a limit to the area that a TVI should be working with students?? Are they covering O&M lessons out in the community, such as buses, street crossing, etc?
If so, did the school district administration give the okay with it and will the school district cover the liability if something occurs while out on a lesson?
Are Special Education Directors telling the TVIs to write down on the? IEP goals/objectives that can be covered by the TVI because the school district doesn't have a COMS or can't find one to cover the services.? Are services being changed to fit the ability of the personnel who are in the district because the district can't find a COMS, say services within school and no instruction outside in the community?
How does an O&Mer provide virtual services when the student is in the community?? Who goes with the student as the instruction is happening?? Then is that person ultimately responsible for the liability???
I am very concerned about the quantity and quality of O&M services that students are/and will be getting in the future.
?
Thanks to anyone who responds to my inquiries.
Trina Boyd-Pratt, COMS
TRINA BOYD-PRATT