[Hiring] DeafBlind Rehabilitation Specialist @Helen Keller Services

Role Description

Are you ready to make a difference in your community? Do YOU want to work on a team that is committed to empowering individuals? At Helen Keller Services, our employees work in an environment that is more than just a workplace, it’s a community.

The DeafBlind Rehabilitation Specialist provides employment-focused vision rehabilitation, independent living, low vision, and assistive technology training to DeafBlind youth and adults across North Central Region 5, including individuals with complex medical needs, intellectual and developmental disabilities, or co-occurring disabilities. The Specialist supports:

• Employment readiness
• Workplace success
• Self-advocacy
• Daily living skills
• Community access
• Effective use of low vision and adaptive strategies

This position also provides consultation, training, and technical assistance to:

• Consumers
• Families
• Caregivers
• Employers
• Vocational Rehabilitation partners
• Centers for Independent Living
• Medical providers
• Interdisciplinary community teams

Candidate must reside within Region 5 in one of the following states: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, or Wisconsin.

Pay Range: $70-80k annually.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide direct vocational rehabilitation, employment readiness, job development, job placement, job coaching, independent living, low vision, and assistive technology services across North Central Region 5 in accordance with HKNC and applicable service agreements.
• Deliver one-on-one and group services in home, community, work-site, training, or virtual settings based on consumer goals, communication preferences, accessibility needs, and service appropriateness.
• Support consumers with complex medical needs, intellectual and developmental disabilities, or co-occurring disabilities by adapting instruction, coordinating with families, caregivers, medical providers, and interdisciplinary support teams.
• Collaborate with Vocational Rehabilitation, community rehabilitation programs, Centers for Independent Living, schools, employers, DeafBlind projects, families, and other partners.
• Provide instruction in independent living skills, IADLs, home and community safety, braille, tactile literacy, keyboarding, mobile device accessibility, screen reader use, low vision devices, environmental modifications, assistive technology, self-advocacy, and related casework as needed.
• Conduct functional vision, independent living, vocational, and environmental assessments within the scope of CVRT practice.
• Develop and implement individualized training plans that integrate employment goals, independent living skills, low vision strategies, adaptive techniques, assistive technology, workplace accommodations, and community supports.
• Train consumers in the effective use of low vision devices, lighting, contrast, magnification, labeling, organization systems, braille and tactile tools, accessible mobile technology, screen readers, and adaptive tools.
• Support measurable progress toward employment readiness, work experience, job placement, job retention, accommodations, independent living, and low vision training goals.
• Maintain accurate and timely case notes, assessments, training plans, service summaries, follow-up reports, progress updates, barriers, and next steps in accordance with HKNC standards.
• Provide outreach, consultation, mentoring, and technical assistance to strengthen regional capacity related to DeafBlindness, vocational access, independent living, low vision strategies, assistive technology, workplace accommodations, transition services, and HKNC programs.
• Coordinate with HKNC programs, State DeafBlind Projects, VR partners, employers, and home teams.
• Participate in continuing education and remain current on DeafBlindness, low vision, employment, independent living, rehabilitation, accessibility, assistive technology, and evidence-informed practices.
• Responsible for other duties as may be assigned or requested by his/her immediate supervisor and/or the Director of the Department.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in vision rehabilitation therapy, vocational rehabilitation, rehabilitation counseling, special education, orientation and mobility, social work, or a related field, plus three to five years of relevant experience.
• Current Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist (CVRT) certification is required and must be maintained in good standing throughout employment.
• Experience serving individuals who are DeafBlind, blind, low vision, Deaf, hard of hearing, or have combined vision and hearing loss.
• Experience supporting individuals with complex medical needs, intellectual and developmental disabilities, or co-occurring disabilities.
• Familiarity with DeafBlind access tools and technology.
• Strong professional communication, consultation, presentation, computer, and Microsoft Office skills.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in a related rehabilitation field (preferred).
• Orientation and Mobility training or credentialing preferred, but not required.
• Familiarity with Vocational Rehabilitation, Deaf Services, and Blind Services Agencies.
• Experience developing and delivering low vision, independent living, and employment-related training.
• Fluency in communication methods used by people who are DeafBlind.

Benefits

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• 4 weeks' paid vacation annually
• Paid personal and sick time
• 11 Paid Holidays Off
• Life Insurance
• Short/Long Term Disability
• Additional Ancillary Benefits
• 403b Program w/Employer Match
• Employee Assistance Program
• Career Advancement opportunities
• Professional Development