Independent Living Instructor

Foundation for Blind Children is currently seeking qualified applicants for a full time Independent Living Instructor position! This position will be based at our Central Campus in Phoenix as part of our Adult Transition Services Department. We offer a full benefits package, paid time off, paid holidays, retirement plan, a 35 hour work week, and more! Apply today to join our team and make a difference in your community. 

Foundation for Blind Children (FBC) is a high profile, nationally recognized non-profit in Phoenix, Arizona.  Celebrating our 70^th Anniversary, FBC serves over 2,000 blind and visually impaired students of ALL ages, from birth to currently 102 years old on three Valley campuses. Our preschool for blind children and braille library are the largest in the country.  A well-established and growing non-profit, FBC leads the blind community both locally and nationally with new and innovative teaching methods, technology and outcomes.  Our workplace culture consistently ranks in the top 10% of non-profits in the country with 95% of our team recommending FBC as a great place to work.  The vision of the Foundation for Blind Children is a world where vision loss is a diagnosis, not a disability.  

The Instructor works with persons who are blind or have vision impairments in the use of compensatory skills and assistive technology that will enable them to live safe, productive, and independent lives. Tasks include but are not limited to assessments and the instruction of rehabilitation skills including: communication, daily living skills and the use of low vision aids and appliances and assistive technology. This role supports the comprehensive disability related training and instructional services for the FBC’s Adult Comprehensive and New Horizons programs. 

Job duties include: 

• Develop rehabilitation or instructional plans collaboratively with peers, Vocational Rehabilitation counselors, and clients, based on results of assessments, needs, and goals.
• Write reports or complete forms to document assessments, training, progress, or follow-up outcomes.
• Complete all necessary notes, reports, and paperwork in a timely manner.
• Assess clients' abilities in areas such as vision, social and emotional issues, cognition, assistive technology, independence, physical abilities, employability, and personal goals.
• Develop group and individual instructional objectives and lesson plans in the areas of time and schedule management, budgeting and money management, cooking, cleaning, health and wellness, and other skills that move students toward independence and future employment.
• Teach skills for independent living or techniques such as home and personal management—cooking, cleaning, banking, budgeting, home repairs and maintenance, and communication.
• Adjust and modify lesson plans according to the assessment of students’ needs and abilities.
• Provide instruction to adults across the age spectrum in the area of psychosocial adjustments to vision loss.
• Work with all other instructors and program staff to ensure continuity of services.
• Stay up to date on current instructional strategies and techniques.
• Provide instructional support and services to individuals in FBC’s Adult Comprehensive Program and the New Horizons program for older adults. Instruction takes place at FBC’s campuses and in client homes and communities.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist, Rehabilitation Counselor, Certified Occupational Therapist,  Certified Teacher of the Visually Impaired, or two years of experience in structured discovery at an NFB Training Center.

Other: Fingerprint Clearance Card issued by Arizona Department of Public Safety, or ability to obtain a Clearance Card

Preferred Experience:

• Two years of experience working with adults in the field of Vision Rehabilitation.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to work effectively with diverse individuals and groups.
• Experience with methods and strategies, including the use of non-visual techniques, visual enhancement devices, and strategies, and problem-based learning.
• Experience effectively communicating with clients, consumers, family members, peers, and other professionals.
• Knowledge of the various types of emerging assistive technology
• Familiar with mobility skills, including basic orientation techniques, human guide techniques, self-protective techniques, systematic search patterns, and room familiarization.
• Experience integrating new and existing technology into vision rehabilitation services.
• Experience using instructional strategies to transfer independent living skills to the employment environment.
• Experience with Microsoft Office.