Rehabilitation Technology Specialist
Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Salary Minimum: $52,478.40
Salary Maximum: $81,369.60
Post Close Date: June 10, 2019
Job Description: This is a courtesy posting for a non-merit position. Please follow instructions in the “To Apply” section for directions on how to apply for this position.
The Iowa Department for the Blind (IDB) is seeking applicants for a position that will promote IDB’s mission, vision and values through providing access technology training to vocational rehabilitation clients including transition age youth.
Duties and responsibilities to include the following:
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Travel statewide to provide individualized and group training to Vocational Rehabilitation clients, including transition-age youth, in the use of nonvisual access and mainstream technologies. Monitor client progress during such training, produce written reports and case notes for client files, and provide prompt notification to counselors and/or rehabilitation teachers concerning client progress and impediments to client success.
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Collaborate with Individualized Education Program teams across the state to provide appropriate Pre-Employment Transition Services to high school students. Assess the skill level of the students and assist in developing training plans to help students meet their immediate and long-term goals. Recommend and assist with the provision of accommodations as appropriate. Arrange for the loan of technology to students and provide training as needed. Serve as a resource to parents, teachers and paraprofessionals as requested.
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Complete worksite assessments and provide workplace support to clients, including transition-age youth during work-based learning experiences, to support the clients in successful employment. Gather data about a client's work site and the technology that the client will use on the job, and determine what is needed to integrate non visual access technology with technologies used at the work site. Research possible solutions to problems involved with integrating non visual access technology into the work site. Develop, test, and implement scripts to improve the use of screen access technology with programs used at the work site. Install, test, and configure hardware and software to facilitate operation with speech, refreshable braille, and/or screen enlargement systems. Obtain and review quotes for computers and nonvisual access technology to be used at a work site. Provide on-site training and telephone assistance to employers and clients regarding non visual access technology used at the work site. Troubleshoot technical problems at client work-sites involving the integration of nonvisual access technology with other programs, determine what configuration changes, repairs, and/or upgrades may be necessary, and facilitate efforts to implement needed hardware/software acquisitions or configuration changes. Produce written reports and case notes to document the work performed.
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Design, validate, and implement skills assessments and training curricula to determine a client's ability to use technology and teach all necessary technology skills. Develop and/or modify technology skills assessments to ensure the most accurate results. Based on these assessments, produce written and verbal reports concerning a client's ability to use technology (with or without non visual access software/hardware), the client's need for specialized training, and the configuration of any equipment that the client might require. Develop, maintain and evaluate curricula for effectively teaching nonvisual technology skills using the structured discovery methodology.
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Provide technology training to independent living teachers in areas such as iOS, Android, Dolphin Guide, built-in computer accessibility features and basic screen reader usage and serve as a resource to them as they provide technology training to independent living clients. When requested, provide group training to independent living clients such as through community based trainings.
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Provide technical assistance and product support to blind or low vision persons using mainstream software with nonvisual access technology. Maintain records and generate reports related to problems encountered or solved and inquiries received. To the maximum extent possible, direct blind or low vision persons to appropriate sources of technical assistance to foster long term independence of these individuals in the area of technology.
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Maintain lists of nonvisual access technology products and their vendors for blind and low vision technology users. Upon request, provide product information to consumers, family members, employers, IDB staff, and other individuals/organizations. Conduct presentations around the state on nonvisual access technology and its integration with mainstream computer programs (for example, nonvisual accessibility to the World Wide Web). Monitor trends and developments with regard to screen access software/hardware, refreshable Braille displays, screen enlargement software and hardware, personal digital assistants for the blind, and optical character recognition systems. Monitor trends and developments in mainstream information technology. Make recommendations concerning the use of these technologies to counselors, teachers, clients, other IDB staff, and other individuals/organizations.
Essential functions of this position:
- Communicate effectively in person, on the phone, and in writing with clients, counselors, and the public using proper English grammar, spelling, and sentence structure.
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Communicate technical information in a manner understandable to nontechnical individuals.
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Travel regularly to clients’ worksites, schools and homes.
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Utilize and teach others to use technology including smartphones, tablets and computers non-visually without the need for any visual information.
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Research and teach oneself to use new and updated technology; locating training resources as appropriate.
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Read and write contracted braille accurately in order to provide training on the use of braille notetakers, braille displays and other braille-related technology.
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Evaluate strengths and weaknesses of non-visual access technologies-including screen access software, screen enlargement technology, refreshable braille displays, braille embossers, tablets, smart phones, and video magnifiers-and make sound recommendations about which technologies should be used for specific situations and under what circumstances.
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Teach individuals and/or groups how to use specific technologies, and vary the teaching method depending on the learning style that works best for each student.
- Experience teaching blindness skills preferred.
It is the policy of the Department for the Blind to conduct background checks on all finalist candidates prior to any offer of employment.
For further information, contact Helen Stevens, 515-829-7411 or helen.stevens@blind.state.ia.us
To Apply: Rehabilitation Technology Specialist
Positions in this class are exempt from the screening and referral requirements of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services – Human Resources Enterprise. Persons who wish to be considered for this position must submit a resume and letter of application to:
Helen Stevens
Education and Training Director
Iowa Department for the Blind
524 4th Street
Des Moines, IA 50309-2364
helen.stevens@blind.state.ia.us
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