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Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists

SOC 29-1122.01Job Zone 5 · Extensive Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers the full scope of low vision therapy, orientation and mobility specialist practice, and vision rehabilitation therapy — from supervised clinical entry through organizational leadership — across community, medical, educational, and residential service environments serving individuals with visual impairments.

Sources:O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.SkillsCrosswalkSkillsCrosswalk — O*NET enrichment + adjacency index. Opens in new tab.
Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Client functional assessments — conduct under clinical supervision using structured protocols to evaluate vision, orientation skills, and physical abilities in a supervised rehabilitation setting.
  2. Long cane techniques — demonstrate foundational diagonal and two-point touch methods under direct supervisor observation during simulated indoor travel exercises.
  3. Rehabilitation plans — assist in drafting individualized plans collaboratively with clients under supervisor guidance, incorporating assessment results and stated personal goals.
  4. Sensory information training — introduce clients to tactile and auditory cue recognition under clinical direction in a structured low-vision therapy environment.
  5. Assessment documentation — complete standardized forms and draft progress notes under review by a supervising therapist following each client evaluation session.
  6. Mobility device options — identify and describe the functional characteristics of long canes, human guides, and electronic travel aids during supervised client education sessions.
  7. Independent travel exercises — support simulated indoor travel scenarios under direct supervision to orient clients to basic route concepts in a clinical or campus setting.
  8. Active listening and rapport — apply structured interviewing techniques under mentorship to gather client history and mobility-related concerns during intake appointments.
  9. Assistive technology tools — utilize database and office suite software under guidance to record client data and retrieve relevant clinical resources in a rehabilitation agency.
  10. Professional knowledge integration — apply graduate-level coursework in psychology, counseling, and orientation and mobility theory to interpret client needs under supervisory debrief.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Cane skills instruction — teach the full sequence of diagonal, two-point touch, and cane-with-guide techniques to clients with varying degrees of visual impairment across indoor and outdoor environments.
  2. Mobility device recommendation — evaluate and recommend appropriate devices, including dog guides, electronic travel aids, and adaptive mobility devices, with reduced oversight based on individual client assessment findings.
  3. Individualized rehabilitation planning — develop and adjust client-centered instructional plans collaboratively in response to reassessment data and evolving client goals within an outpatient or community rehabilitation program.
  4. Multi-sensory cue training — train clients to integrate tactile, auditory, olfactory, kinesthetic, and proprioceptive information into effective travel strategies across familiar community routes.
  5. Independent travel instruction — facilitate structured real-world travel exercises in urban and suburban environments, progressively reducing support as clients demonstrate route-learning competence.
  6. Clinical documentation — write thorough assessment summaries, progress reports, and follow-up outcome forms with minimal editorial revision, using agency-approved formats and electronic records systems.
  7. Adaptive mobility device training — provide systematic instruction in the use of electronic travel aids and other AMDs, modifying teaching strategies based on client learning pace and sensory profile.
  8. Problem-solving with clients — apply deductive reasoning to identify barriers to independent mobility and adjust intervention strategies within familiar clinical and community contexts.
  9. Collaborative team communication — coordinate with ophthalmologists, occupational therapists, and social workers, conveying client progress clearly through written reports and team meetings.
  10. Time and caseload management — prioritize and schedule assessment and training sessions efficiently across a caseload of clients with diverse visual and functional profiles in a community rehabilitation setting.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Comprehensive functional assessment — conduct autonomous, multi-domain evaluations of vision, cognition, social-emotional status, physical ability, and orientation skills for clients with complex or co-occurring conditions in diverse service environments.
  2. Complex cane and travel skill instruction — teach advanced cane techniques, route planning, and self-protective strategies to clients navigating non-familiar, high-traffic, and environmentally challenging travel situations.
  3. Technology-integrated mobility solutions — evaluate, recommend, and train clients in the full spectrum of adaptive mobility devices and electronic travel aids, including emerging systems, tailoring selection to individual functional profiles.
  4. Non-routine rehabilitation planning — design individualized, evidence-based rehabilitation programs for clients with atypical presentations, adjusting goals and modalities dynamically as clinical evidence and client feedback evolve.
  5. Advanced sensory training — develop and implement specialized curricula to maximize proprioceptive, kinesthetic, and remaining visual function for clients with progressive or complex visual conditions in community and independent living settings.
  6. Outcome-oriented documentation — produce high-quality clinical reports, funding justification letters, and follow-up outcome analyses that meet regulatory and third-party payer standards without supervisory review.
  7. Psychosocial support integration — apply counseling principles and social perceptiveness to address emotional adaptation, self-efficacy, and social participation barriers within a holistic vision rehabilitation framework.
  8. Systems-level problem analysis — analyze environmental, organizational, and systemic factors affecting client access to rehabilitation services, and design solutions that address root causes across a service area.
  9. Mentorship of emerging practitioners — supervise, coach, and formally evaluate practicum students and new staff in clinical settings, providing structured feedback grounded in occupational competency standards.
  10. Interdisciplinary program leadership — lead cross-disciplinary case conferences, contribute to care pathway development, and represent vision rehabilitation expertise in hospital, school, or community agency planning processes.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Program design and strategic direction — architect organizational vision rehabilitation service models aligned with evidence-based practice, regulatory requirements, and community needs across regional or national program portfolios.
  2. Workforce development — design and implement competency-based training curricula for orientation and mobility specialists and vision rehabilitation therapists, elevating professional standards across an agency or academic program.
  3. Policy and advocacy leadership — represent the profession before legislative bodies, accreditation organizations, and funding agencies to advance access, reimbursement, and standards for vision rehabilitation services.
  4. Research translation and knowledge generation — lead applied research or systematic program evaluations that produce publishable findings and directly inform clinical practice guidelines for the field.
  5. Advanced outcomes measurement — develop and institutionalize data-driven quality assurance frameworks using analytical and process-mapping software to monitor client outcomes and drive continuous improvement at an organizational scale.
  6. Executive-level interprofessional collaboration — build and sustain strategic partnerships with healthcare systems, educational institutions, and community organizations to integrate vision rehabilitation into broader continua of care.
  7. Technology innovation and adoption — evaluate and champion the integration of emerging assistive technologies, electronic travel aids, and digital rehabilitation platforms into clinical service delivery at an enterprise level.
  8. Organizational culture and ethics — establish and model professional, ethical, and empathic standards of practice, setting institutional norms that foster client-centered, equitable, and trauma-informed rehabilitation environments.
  9. Complex resource allocation — oversee budget planning, grant acquisition, and staff deployment for multidisciplinary vision rehabilitation programs serving large, diverse populations with varied funding mechanisms.
  10. Field-level thought leadership — deliver keynote scholarship, publish professional guidance, and chair national committees that shape the theoretical and practical direction of orientation, mobility, and vision rehabilitation practice.

AI-at-Work Competency Framework

Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Authoritative source data identified for 998 occupations

How a worker at each mastery level uses, directs, and evaluates AI tools in this occupation. Each statement cites its evidence inline; click a citation chip to verify the source.

Emerging
  1. AI-assisted documentation drafting — uses an AI writing tool to generate first-draft assessment reports and progress notes, then reviews and corrects clinical details before submission.
Developing
  1. Device recommendation research — queries AI assistants to surface current electronic travel aids and adaptive mobility devices available on the market, then cross-references manufacturer specs and clinical guidelines before advising clients.
  2. Client goal documentation — directs an AI tool to structure collaboratively developed rehabilitation plans into standardized report formats, retaining full authorship of clinical goals and individualized strategies Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
Proficient
  1. Active listening skill retention — recognizes that the core therapeutic interaction with visually impaired clients — reading nonverbal cues, adjusting instruction in real time, and building trust — remains a low-automation-feasibility human responsibility and deliberately limits AI involvement to peripheral tasks Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  2. Rehabilitation plan scaffolding — uses AI to draft template instructional sequences for cane technique or orientation routes, then adapts each plan to the individual client's environment, goals, and residual vision during in-person sessions WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  3. Progress-tracking synthesis — feeds session observation notes into an AI summarization tool to produce longitudinal progress summaries, then validates accuracy against direct clinical observation before sharing with referral teams.
Advanced
  1. Human-technology integration design — leads the clinical team in defining which assessment and documentation workflows are appropriate for AI delegation versus which require direct therapist judgment, embedding that boundary into department protocols Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  2. AI-tool vetting for assistive technology recommendations — evaluates emerging AI-powered orientation and mobility aids (e.g., computer-vision navigation devices) against evidence-based clinical criteria before integrating them into formal device recommendation frameworks.
  3. Training curriculum innovation — develops structured instructional modules that teach clients how to interact with AI-enabled assistive technologies — such as smartphone-based scene description or GPS guidance apps — as part of a comprehensive orientation and mobility program WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  4. Outcome data leveraging — aggregates de-identified client progress data with AI analytical tools to identify patterns in training effectiveness across mobility device types, using findings to refine evidence-based instructional approaches at the program level Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
Evidence pack
SAFI positioning
Top skill: Active Listening
Score: 42.2 / 100
Quadrant: Q2_ai_augmented
precision: exact
WEF cluster
Human-Technology Interaction
human_technology_interaction
Sources:Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.

Pathsmith Durable Skills Framework

Sources:Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Ten durable-skill domains mapped to four proficiency/role levels for each occupation. Each statement is aligned to the Pathsmith taxonomy, derived from trusted grounding data and mapped to occupation-specific O*NET tasks and skills.

1Communication12 statements
Emerging
  1. Client intake communication — elicits initial visual history and functional concerns through structured interview while maintaining calm, supportive rapport Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Report drafting — documents basic assessment findings in written form using standardized templates under supervision O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Instruction delivery — explains single-step cane techniques using clear, sequential verbal directions to clients with visual impairments Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Multisensory instruction communication — conveys tactile, auditory, and kinesthetic learning cues through precise verbal and physical guidance during orientation and mobility training Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Progress documentation — writes structured reports capturing client performance, goal attainment, and follow-up recommendations with increasing independence O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Adaptive explanation — adjusts vocabulary, pacing, and sensory descriptions to match each client's cognitive level and vision loss experience Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Cross-disciplinary communication — presents rehabilitation plans and client outcomes clearly to ophthalmologists, occupational therapists, and social workers in case conferences Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Client goal-setting dialogue — facilitates collaborative planning conversations that translate client-stated goals into measurable rehabilitation objectives O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Community travel briefing — prepares clients for independent transit routes by delivering precise environmental descriptions, landmark sequences, and hazard warnings O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Family and caregiver education — leads structured workshops that translate complex vision rehabilitation concepts into actionable strategies for support networks Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Policy and advocacy communication — authors professional reports and presents program outcomes to funding bodies, legislative audiences, or accreditation reviewers Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Mentorship-level instruction — models and coaches novice therapists in delivering accessible, trauma-informed communication to diverse visually impaired populations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
2Leadership10 statements
Emerging
  1. Session ownership — takes responsibility for preparing materials and managing time within individual client training sessions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Goal initiative — proposes specific rehabilitation objectives during collaborative planning discussions based on initial assessment data Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Rehabilitation plan leadership — leads the development of individualized vision rehabilitation plans by coordinating input from clients, families, and referral sources Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Peer contribution — shares effective cane instruction techniques and route-planning strategies with colleagues during team meetings Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Caseload management leadership — independently prioritizes and coordinates a full caseload of clients across varied vision loss etiologies and functional levels Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Interdisciplinary team leadership — directs vision rehabilitation components of joint care plans, setting direction for other team members serving shared clients Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Community mobility program leadership — designs and implements group orientation and mobility training programs in real-world environments including transit systems and commercial districts O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Organizational program development — establishes vision rehabilitation service lines, hiring criteria, and training protocols for clinical programs or agencies Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Field mentorship — supervises and formally evaluates orientation and mobility specialists or vision rehabilitation therapy interns across diverse fieldwork sites Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Advocacy leadership — leads professional associations or community coalitions to advance policy, funding, or public awareness for individuals with visual impairments Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
3Metacognition10 statements
Emerging
  1. Self-monitoring in sessions — identifies moments of uncertainty during client instruction and seeks supervisor feedback to calibrate technique Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Reflective journaling — documents personal learning gaps after initial client assessments to inform study and skill-building priorities Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Strategy selection awareness — evaluates which instructional approach—tactile modeling, verbal description, or kinesthetic guidance—best matches a specific client's learning profile before beginning training Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Feedback integration — actively applies supervisor critique of cane instruction or assessment technique to modify practice in subsequent sessions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Assessment calibration — monitors own clinical reasoning during functional vision assessments to detect bias or gaps in data interpretation before finalizing recommendations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Instructional self-evaluation — systematically reviews session recordings or field notes to identify patterns in teaching effectiveness across diverse client populations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Knowledge boundary recognition — identifies the limits of personal competency in low vision optics or neurological conditions and initiates appropriate referral or consultation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Metacognitive modeling — explicitly teaches clients to monitor their own sensory processing and wayfinding decision-making during independent travel training Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Reflective supervision facilitation — guides supervisees through structured self-assessment of their instructional decisions to develop professional independence Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Continuing education design — identifies systemic gaps in own or team knowledge of emerging assistive technologies and constructs professional development plans to address them Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
4Critical Thinking11 statements
Emerging
  1. Assessment data interpretation — identifies basic patterns in vision screening results and mobility observations to form preliminary functional conclusions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Device selection reasoning — applies foundational criteria to evaluate whether a long cane, electronic travel aid, or dog guide is appropriate for a given client scenario O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Differential functional analysis — distinguishes between vision loss, cognitive, and proprioceptive contributors to a client's orientation difficulties using structured assessment evidence Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Route analysis — evaluates environmental complexity, traffic patterns, and sensory landmark availability to determine safe instructional travel routes for clients O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Evidence appraisal — examines published rehabilitation research to determine applicability of new techniques to specific client populations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Integrated needs analysis — synthesizes assessment data across vision, cognition, physical function, emotional status, and personal goals to construct individualized rehabilitation plans Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Risk-benefit reasoning — weighs client safety, independence goals, and environmental hazards when approving transitions to unsupervised community travel Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Adaptive device justification — constructs evidence-based rationales for recommending specific mobility devices or visual aids in formal reports and team discussions O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Complex case formulation — resolves ambiguous or conflicting assessment data across multidiagnosis clients including those with acquired brain injury, diabetes, and degenerative vision conditions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Program evaluation analysis — applies critical analysis to outcome data from rehabilitation programs to identify systemic gaps and drive evidence-based service improvements Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Assumption challenging — identifies and addresses implicit biases in standardized assessment tools when applied to clients from underrepresented cultural or linguistic backgrounds Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
5Collaboration10 statements
Emerging
  1. Team participation — contributes vision rehabilitation observations during interdisciplinary team meetings without yet leading discussion Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Referral coordination — communicates client needs to ophthalmology or social work colleagues using appropriate professional terminology Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Co-treatment coordination — collaborates with occupational therapists and physical therapists to align mobility goals with broader functional rehabilitation objectives for shared clients Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Family inclusion — incorporates family members and caregivers into training sessions, assigning supportive roles that reinforce between-session skill practice O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Collaborative plan development — co-creates rehabilitation plans with clients, families, and multidisciplinary team members, ensuring each contributor's expertise is integrated Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Agency partnership — works with transit authorities, schools, and community organizations to arrange real-world training environments for client mobility programs O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Conflict navigation — mediates differing perspectives between clients, families, and team members regarding rehabilitation goals or device recommendations through structured dialogue Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Interagency collaboration leadership — builds formal partnerships between vision rehabilitation agencies, school systems, Veterans Affairs programs, and community services to create integrated service pathways Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Community of practice facilitation — convenes peer networks of orientation and mobility specialists to share case studies, innovations, and practice standards across organizations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Client-centered team building — structures interdisciplinary team processes around client-defined goals, ensuring the client's voice drives collaborative decision-making at every stage Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
6Character10 statements
Emerging
  1. Confidentiality adherence — maintains strict client privacy in documentation, communication, and case discussions in accordance with professional and legal standards Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Accountability in training — acknowledges errors in cane instruction technique or assessment procedures and seeks corrective guidance promptly Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Ethical device recommendation — recommends mobility devices and adaptive aids based solely on client functional need and goal alignment, free from vendor or institutional bias Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Professional boundaries — maintains appropriate therapeutic boundaries during emotionally sensitive sessions with clients experiencing grief or adjustment to vision loss Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Informed consent practice — ensures clients fully understand assessment procedures, training risks, and alternatives before proceeding, honoring their autonomy throughout the rehabilitation process Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Cultural responsiveness — adapts rehabilitation approaches and communication styles to respect clients' cultural values, religious practices, and socioeconomic contexts without compromising clinical rigor Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Mandatory reporting compliance — identifies and reports suspected abuse, neglect, or safety risks involving clients with visual impairments per legal and ethical obligations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Ethical leadership — establishes and models professional ethical standards for vision rehabilitation teams, including protocols for managing conflicts of interest and client rights violations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Advocacy integrity — publicly advocates for equitable access to orientation and mobility services without personal or organizational conflicts compromising the accuracy of the advocacy Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Accountability modeling — demonstrates transparent self-correction of clinical decisions in front of supervisees, normalizing accountability as a professional value Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
7Creativity10 statements
Emerging
  1. Improvised landmark use — identifies unconventional environmental cues such as texture changes or air currents to supplement formal route training when standard landmarks are absent Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Adapted materials creation — constructs basic tactile maps or models using available materials to support client understanding of unfamiliar environments O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Individualized training design — creates novel route sequences and simulated travel scenarios tailored to each client's specific destination goals and environmental challenges Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Sensory substitution innovation — develops original multisensory exercises that train clients to use olfactory, auditory, and proprioceptive cues in environments where visual information is unavailable O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Assistive technology integration — creatively combines electronic travel aids, smartphone navigation apps, and traditional cane techniques into hybrid mobility systems matched to individual client needs Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Problem-solving in unpredictable environments — generates on-the-spot route modifications and safety strategies when clients encounter unexpected construction, crowds, or transit disruptions during live training Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Engagement strategy innovation — designs gamified or narrative-based training exercises that sustain motivation in clients who resist traditional rehabilitation structures Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Curriculum innovation — develops original vision rehabilitation training curricula incorporating emerging technologies, environmental simulation, and evidence-based multisensory learning theory Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Adaptive device prototyping — collaborates with assistive technology developers to conceptualize and field-test novel mobility aids or wayfinding solutions for underserved client populations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Cross-sector creative partnership — initiates collaborations with urban planners, transit designers, and architects to embed vision rehabilitation insights into accessible environmental design Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
8Growth Mindset10 statements
Emerging
  1. Challenge acceptance — approaches unfamiliar vision conditions or client populations as learning opportunities rather than sources of avoidance Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Feedback receptivity — welcomes clinical supervisor critique of orientation and mobility instruction technique and applies suggestions in subsequent sessions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Setback reframing — treats client regression or plateaued progress as diagnostic information rather than failure, using it to refine the rehabilitation plan Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Technology learning orientation — actively pursues training in emerging electronic travel aids and low vision devices as they enter the market Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Continuous competency development — pursues ongoing professional certification, attends vision rehabilitation conferences, and integrates new evidence-based practices into routine clinical work Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Client resilience modeling — shares own learning journey and professional challenges transparently with clients to normalize the effort required for skill acquisition and independence Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Difficult case persistence — sustains engagement with clients whose complex medical, cognitive, or psychosocial profiles slow rehabilitation progress, iterating strategies across extended timeframes Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Learning culture cultivation — establishes team norms and supervision structures that celebrate professional risk-taking, honest mistake analysis, and continuous skill refinement Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Field advancement commitment — contributes to the evidence base of vision rehabilitation through research participation, case study publication, or clinical innovation dissemination Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Growth mindset instruction — explicitly teaches clients with acquired vision loss to view independence milestones as achievable through effort and practice, countering fixed beliefs about disability Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
9Mindfulness10 statements
Emerging
  1. Presence during instruction — maintains focused attention on the client's body language, hesitation, and sensory responses during initial cane technique training without distraction Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Emotional awareness — recognizes own stress responses when managing client safety incidents during outdoor mobility training and self-regulates before continuing Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Attentive observation — sustains heightened environmental and behavioral awareness across full training sessions in complex urban environments to anticipate client safety risks Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Client emotional attunement — detects subtle signs of frustration, anxiety, or grief in clients adjusting to vision loss and responds with intentional pacing adjustments and empathic acknowledgment Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Intentional session pacing — calibrates the speed and complexity of orientation and mobility training in real time based on continuous observation of client fatigue, confidence, and sensory load Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Stress regulation during crises — maintains composed, methodical decision-making when a client encounters a genuine safety emergency during unsupervised travel practice Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Mindful documentation — allocates focused, distraction-free time for report writing to ensure accuracy, completeness, and clinical nuance in client records Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Mindfulness integration in therapy — incorporates structured breathing, attention-focusing, and body-awareness exercises into orientation and mobility training to help clients manage travel-related anxiety Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Supervisory attunement — monitors supervisees' emotional states and cognitive load during demanding fieldwork, intervening with support before burnout or clinical error occurs Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Systemic awareness — maintains awareness of organizational stressors, caseload pressures, and equity issues that affect both client outcomes and practitioner wellbeing, addressing them proactively Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
10Fortitude10 statements
Emerging
  1. Safety uncertainty tolerance — proceeds with client outdoor training sessions in challenging weather or traffic conditions by relying on systematic safety protocols rather than avoidance Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Emotional endurance — sustains professional composure when clients express grief, anger, or hopelessness related to vision loss during early rehabilitation sessions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Persistence with resistant clients — maintains consistent therapeutic engagement with clients who refuse training, deny functional limitations, or frequently cancel, seeking alternative motivational approaches Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Adverse environment navigation — completes client training in high-stress environments including busy intersections, crowded transit hubs, and poorly lit public spaces without withdrawing from the instructional task O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Long-term case resilience — sustains rehabilitation effort across extended caseloads involving clients with degenerative conditions, repeated setbacks, and uncertain prognosis Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Institutional challenge navigation — pursues client access to necessary mobility devices and services despite insurance denials, funding gaps, or bureaucratic delays Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Crisis response steadiness — provides composed, directive guidance when a client experiences a mobility emergency, medical episode, or psychological crisis during training in a public environment Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Systemic advocacy perseverance — sustains multi-year efforts to expand orientation and mobility service access through policy engagement, funding advocacy, and public education despite slow institutional change Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Workforce resilience modeling — demonstrates and verbalizes strategies for managing compassion fatigue and sustained clinical demand to supervisees, normalizing help-seeking as professional strength Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Courageous clinical dissent — raises ethical concerns about client safety, service rationing, or inequitable treatment within organizations despite professional risk, grounded in evidence and professional standards Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Sources:Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
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O*NET enrichment · skillscrosswalk.com

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Source anchors that ground each statement

Related titles
Blind Orientation and Mobility Therapist (Blind O and M Therapist) · Certified Low Vision Therapist (CLVT) · Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS) · Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist (CVRT) · Global Mobility Specialist · Low Vision Therapist · Mobility Professional · Mobility Specialist · Orientation and Mobility Instructor (O and M Instructor) · Orientation and Mobility Specialist (O and M Specialist) · Orientation Specialist · Rehabilitation Specialist
RAPIDS apprenticeships
—
O*NET skills
Active ListeningSpeakingLearning StrategiesSocial PerceptivenessInstructingService OrientationReading ComprehensionActive LearningWritingMonitoringComplex Problem SolvingCritical ThinkingJudgment and Decision MakingPersuasionTime ManagementSystems AnalysisSystems EvaluationCoordinationNegotiation
Knowledge domains
English LanguageEducation and TrainingPsychologyTransportationCustomer and Personal ServiceTherapy and CounselingPublic Safety and SecuritySociology and Anthropology
Abilities
Oral ExpressionWritten ComprehensionOral ComprehensionProblem SensitivityWritten ExpressionSpeech ClaritySpeech RecognitionDeductive ReasoningFluency of IdeasInductive Reasoning
Work styles
EmpathyDependabilityCooperationOptimismSinceritySocial Orientation
Technology
Device drivers or system softwareData base user interface and query softwareComputer based training softwareAnalytical or scientific softwareInternet browser softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareElectronic mail softwarePresentation softwareProcess mapping and design software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. Teach cane skills, including cane use with a guide, diagonal techniques, and two-point touches.
  2. Recommend appropriate mobility devices or systems, such as human guides, dog guides, long canes, electronic travel aids (ETAs), and other adaptive mobility devices (AMDs).
  3. 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).
  4. Develop rehabilitation or instructional plans collaboratively with clients, based on results of assessments, needs, and goals.
  5. Write reports or complete forms to document assessments, training, progress, or follow-up outcomes.
  6. Train clients to use tactile, auditory, kinesthetic, olfactory, and proprioceptive information.
  7. Assess clients' functioning in areas such as vision, orientation and mobility skills, social and emotional issues, cognition, physical abilities, and personal goals.
  8. Teach clients to travel independently, using a variety of actual or simulated travel situations or exercises.
CIP education codes
51.2306

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.