Rehabilitation Teacher 1

The State of Connecticut, Department of Aging and Disability Services (ADS), Bureau of Education and Services for the Blind is presently accepting applications to fill one (1) Rehabilitation Teacher 1 position for the Adult Services program. 

This Rehabilitation Teacher 1 will be responsible for evaluating client's independent living need for training to use a computer (with magnification or with screen reader software), a smartphone, a refreshable Braille display, or other assistive technology equipment. Independent living needs include communication, personal organization, on-line shopping, paying bills and other priorities. This Rehabilitation Teacher 1 position will train clients to use the above client-owned equipment and relevant online applications (including low vision apps). Travel to client’s homes throughout the state may be necessary for this position.

The Mission of the Department of Aging and Disability Services is to maximize opportunities for the independence and well-being of people with disabilities and older adults in Connecticut. Our programs, policies and practices are designed to:

• Deliver aging and disability services responsive to the needs of Connecticut citizens;
• Provide leadership on aging and disability issues statewide;
• Provide and coordinate aging and disability programs and services in the areas of employment, education, independent living, accessibility and advocacy;
• Advocate for the rights of Connecticut residents with disabilities and older adults;
• Serve as a resource on aging and disability issues at the state level.

Are you interested in joining us as a Rehabilitation Teacher 1? We encourage you to apply today! This is a full-time, 35 hour per week position, with a Monday-Friday schedule. This position will be located in Middletown.

We offer a competitive benefits package, excellent health care, generous leave policies, retirement plan, and more!  We also encourage a healthy work-life balance to all employees!

The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified. This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.  

Due to the volume of applications anticipated, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be provided through your JobAps portal account. 

Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience most closely meet the preferred requirements of the position. At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include:  a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency. Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications as indicated to apply for this position.

In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.  

Please Note: You will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application for this posting to the JobAps system.

This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the question's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam. 

Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process. 

The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class. 

All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period. It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception. Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.

Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Chelsea Moore at Chelsea.Moore@ct.gov

In the Department of Aging and Disability Services, Board of Education and Services for the Blind this class is accountable for providing specialized services in the teaching and counseling of the blind and visually impaired clients with an emphasis on providing independent living skills.

Under close supervision interviews clients to obtain information regarding effects of blindness on life skills and activities and to determine client limitations; develops instructional plan based on needs of individual client; evaluates and teaches independent living skills to clients at home, work, school and community center; instructs and evaluates blind, visually impaired and multi-disabled persons in communication skills such as Braille, reading, writing, typewriting, use of adaptive technology and methods of communicating with deaf-blind persons; instructs and evaluates blind persons in various daily life skills and activities including leisure time; counsels and provides information regarding using and obtaining special aids and assistive devices; provides advise to families of the blind regarding ways of assisting the blind; reports needs for eye care or other special services to appropriate resources; consults with rehabilitation and casework staff in order to evaluate client needs; confers with other staff and works cooperatively with other agencies regarding cases; maintains case records on assigned caseload; performs related duties as required.

Knowledge of individual and group behavior; knowledge of methods and techniques of teaching the blind and visually impaired; knowledge of current education, social, health and economic problems and their relationship to working with the blind and visually impaired; knowledge of adaptive technology; knowledge of interviewing techniques; interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; ability to provide counseling and training to clients; ability to read and write Braille or translate printed material into Braille.

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in education, social sciences, family and consumer science or in a related field.

• Experience in the use of assistive technology devices and software for persons with blindness or low vision
• Experience in training persons in the use of low vision devices and aids
• Experience of smartphone applications for persons with low vision or blindness
• Experience in training persons in the use of smartphone applications
• (CATIS) Certified as a Assistive Technology Instructional Specialist or (ACVREP) Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals.

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.