What You Need to Know About Low Vision Therapist, Orientation and Mobility Specialist, or Vision Rehabilitation Therapist
Job Description: Provide therapy to patients with visual impairments to improve their functioning in daily life activities. May train patients in activities such as computer use, communication skills, or home management skills.
What Do Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists Do On a Daily Basis?
- Train clients with visual impairments to use mobility devices or systems, such as human guides, dog guides, electronic travel aids (ETAs), and other adaptive mobility devices (AMDs).
- Teach cane skills, including cane use with a guide, diagonal techniques, and two-point touches.
- Train clients to read or write Braille.
- Refer clients to services, such as eye care, health care, rehabilitation, and counseling, to enhance visual and life functioning or when condition exceeds scope of practice.
- Administer tests and interpret test results to develop rehabilitation plans for clients.
- Provide consultation, support, or education to groups such as parents and teachers.
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Qualities of a Vision Therapist or Specialist
These are the skills Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists say are the most useful in their careers:
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Rehabilitation Teacher
- Certified Low Vision Therapist
- Mobility Specialist
- Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist
- Orientation & Mobility Specialist
Is There Job Demand for Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists?
There were about 130,400 jobs for Low Vision Therapist, Orientation and Mobility Specialist, or Vision Rehabilitation Therapist in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 23.8% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 31,000 new jobs for Low Vision Therapist, Orientation and Mobility Specialist, or Vision Rehabilitation Therapist by 2026. There will be an estimated 10,200 positions for Vision Therapist or Specialist per year.
The states with the most job growth for Vision Therapist or Specialist are Utah, Arizona, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Kansas, Rhode Island, or Minnesota. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for a Vision Therapist or Specialist
Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists make between $55,490 and $120,750 a year.
Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists who work in California, New Jersey, or Nevada, make the highest salaries.
How much do Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists make in different U.S. states?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $83,810 |
| Alaska | $86,860 |
| Arizona | $94,800 |
| Arkansas | $81,810 |
| California | $95,160 |
| Colorado | $89,770 |
| Connecticut | $90,780 |
| Delaware | $86,020 |
| District of Columbia | $94,360 |
| Florida | $81,520 |
| Georgia | $82,060 |
| Hawaii | $83,010 |
| Idaho | $81,230 |
| Illinois | $83,940 |
| Indiana | $79,870 |
| Iowa | $80,740 |
| Kansas | $78,720 |
| Kentucky | $79,460 |
| Louisiana | $85,490 |
| Maine | $72,160 |
| Maryland | $89,230 |
| Massachusetts | $87,160 |
| Michigan | $77,940 |
| Minnesota | $74,050 |
| Mississippi | $81,590 |
| Missouri | $75,120 |
| Montana | $74,940 |
| Nebraska | $76,850 |
| Nevada | $100,970 |
| New Hampshire | $79,850 |
| New Jersey | $96,600 |
| New Mexico | $81,660 |
| New York | $88,370 |
| North Carolina | $84,390 |
| North Dakota | $67,420 |
| Ohio | $85,720 |
| Oklahoma | $82,240 |
| Oregon | $90,720 |
| Pennsylvania | $81,030 |
| Rhode Island | $83,600 |
| South Carolina | $78,470 |
| South Dakota | $69,390 |
| Tennessee | $84,870 |
| Texas | $89,360 |
| Utah | $85,300 |
| Vermont | $76,840 |
| Virginia | $93,010 |
| Washington | $81,250 |
| West Virginia | $81,080 |
| Wisconsin | $73,390 |
| Wyoming | $82,010 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Access
- Internet browser software
How to Become a Vision Therapist or Specialist
What education or degrees do I need to become a Low Vision Therapist, Orientation and Mobility Specialist, or Vision Rehabilitation Therapist?
What work experience do I need to become a Vision Therapist or Specialist?
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those thinking about becoming a Low Vision Therapist, Orientation and Mobility Specialist, or Vision Rehabilitation Therapist might also be interested in the following careers:
References:
Image Credit: Barbara E. Carver via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported
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