Orientation & Mobility Trainer Program Consultant Position Description
Empowerment Through Integration (ETI) is a 501(c)3 certified non-profit that is changing the narrative surrounding disability both for blind and sighted youth. We create integrated, supportive spaces with life skills training, emotional support, and community service opportunities.?Through these integrated spaces, they are able to break down internal and external barriers surrounding views on ability in order to create positive change in society.?Our?ultimate goal is to enable society to understand that inclusion of all is a value for all.
One of our programs is the Life Skill Program, which is a training that introduces and teaches classes in mobility and orientation, independent life skills (such as cooking and banking), and technology use. This program is integral to preparing the visually-impaired youth for integrated settings and instilling confidence.
For this specific project, ETI is collaborating with organizations working with youth who are blind and visually-impaired and would like to implement this program. We are recruiting for an Orientation & Mobility Trainer Program Consultant who will go and train the staff and organization. This person will provide them with the basic skills needed so that they can provide ETI?s life skills training program to their own beneficiaries.
The following is an annual timeline for these projects:
? Phase 1 ? 1 Week Trip to Organization for Research and Training (This is to gather the local context.)
? Phase 2 ? 3 Months to Tailor the curriculum and prepare the pre-intervention focus groups and surveys
? Phase 3 ? Return back to organization in order to carry out 1 Week Training of Staff and Evaluation
? Phase 4 ? Return back to organization (3 months later) to reinforce the training, train the organization participants (beneficiaries), and plan for future sustainability.
In addition to conducting the training on the ground, consultants will also be asked to collect research and evaluation data and materials that our organization can use for external relations, donor engagements, and annual reporting.
ETI will cover all travel-related expenses (cost of travel, lodging, food, etc.).
POSITION REQUIREMENTS
ETI is looking for interested candidates that are able to commit to a 6-8 month project. On average, it will be a 3-5 hours per week commitment with the exception of the 3 field visits as noted in the above timeline. On average, field visits are 1-2 weeks each except the final phase will be 2-3 weeks as the consultant will be training both the staff and their participants. Consultants will be supervised by Kathy Zwald, ETI?s Life Skill Program Manager.
Candidates must be willing to travel, have a flexible schedule, and have a deep understanding and value for cultural differences and environments. Comfort working with diverse populations is a must. Candidates must also believe in the empowerment of people with visual impairments, and carry a positive attitude and high expectations of what this population can achieve.
PROJECT DATES
The project will start between January-March 2017. This is flexible based on organization or trainer needs and schedules. The project will need to be completed by the end of 2017. ETI?s Research and Evaluation Unit will check in 6 months later to collect data, and may need to contact consultants.
QUALIFICATIONS
? Bachelor?s Degree or higher in Orientation & Mobility
? Certified instructor in Orientation and Mobility (ACVREP or NOMC certified)
? 5 years of professional experience in several different environments
TO APPLY
Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and a list of three references to Hillary Dolinsky, Operations Director, at hdolinsky at etivision.org .
Edward C. Bell, Ph.D., CRC, NOMC
Director, Professional Development and Research
Institute on Blindness
Louisiana Tech University
210 Woodard Hall
PO Box 3158
Ruston LA 71272
Office: 318.257.4554 Fax: 318.257.2259 (Fax) Skype: edwardbell2010
ebell at latech.edu www.pdrib.com http://www.pdrib.com
**************************************************************
"I am somehow less interested in the weight and convolutions of Einstein's brain than in the near certainty that people of equal talent have lived and died in cotton fields and sweatshops."
-- Stephen Jay Gould
From: Sara Minkara [mailto:sminkara at etivision.org]
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2016 2:30 PM
To: Edward Bell <ebell at pdrib.com>
Subject: RE: Introducing Sara Minkara
Hi Edward,
I hope you are well. I apologize for my delayed response. I was talking to my team to get their feedback. And after multiple conversations we have decided to delay the step (of establishing an independent class) for 2017. And that it would be better to consider something for the future (like in 2018) since we are still figuring out things on our end and since the PC projects are relatively new.
But in the mean time, we are still moving forward with the 4 PC projects in 2017; they will be in the following countries- Uganda, South Sudan, Lebanon and Jordan.
And we are looking to recruit O&M trainers who would be interested in volunteering for one of the projects. I have attached the volunteer position description. would it be possible if you can distribute this to your network and or put me in touch with individuals who you think would be interested in doing this.
Thanks so much!
Warmly,
Sara
From: Edward Bell [mailto:ebell at pdrib.com]
Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2016 10:52 AM
To: Sara Minkara >
Subject: RE: Introducing Sara Minkara
Could you begin drafting a syllabus for the course. That is, how many weeks, hours per day. What are the training expectations, objectives of the course, materials that would need to be brought, what actual assignments the student would be working on?
Edward C. Bell, Ph.D., CRC, NOMC
Director, Professional Development and Research
Institute on Blindness
Louisiana Tech University
210 Woodard Hall
PO Box 3158
Ruston LA 71272
Office: 318.257.4554 Fax: 318.257.2259 (Fax) Skype: edwardbell2010
ebell at latech.edu www.pdrib.com http://www.pdrib.com
**************************************************************
"I am somehow less interested in the weight and convolutions of Einstein's brain than in the near certainty that people of equal talent have lived and died in cotton fields and sweatshops."
-- Stephen Jay Gould
From: Sara Minkara [mailto:sminkara at etivision.org]
Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2016 9:40 AM
To: Edward Bell >
Cc: Alexis Smith >
Subject: RE: Introducing Sara Minkara
Hi Edward!
Thank you so much for your reply! Let me talk to Kathy, our Program Manager, and get back to you.
In terms of cost, we will be able to cover their travel expenses. But to your other point, identifying students who would be interested/willing to travel, is there a way we can survey the students to get an idea of how many students might be interested in a corse/ project ike this?
Thank you so much!
From: Edward Bell [mailto:ebell at pdrib.com]
Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2016 10:34 AM
To: Sara Minkara >
Subject: RE: Introducing Sara Minkara
Hi Sara,
Thank you for this information.
As I mentioned on the phone, creating course to span several months, developing a syllabus is not that hard to do. The cost for tuition would be around $1,100 per student per semester.
The much harder part is identifying even one student who can pack their bags and go off to another country for several months. This, undoubtedly will cost several thousands of dollars per student once you consider travel, living, and expenses.
I am glad to talk more next week if you have time.
Edward C. Bell, Ph.D., CRC, NOMC
Director, Professional Development and Research
Institute on Blindness
Louisiana Tech University
210 Woodard Hall
PO Box 3158
Ruston LA 71272
Office: 318.257.4554 Fax: 318.257.2259 (Fax) Skype: edwardbell2010
ebell at latech.edu www.pdrib.com http://www.pdrib.com
**************************************************************
"I am somehow less interested in the weight and convolutions of Einstein's brain than in the near certainty that people of equal talent have lived and died in cotton fields and sweatshops."
-- Stephen Jay Gould
From: Sara Minkara [mailto:sminkara at etivision.org]
Sent: Wednesday, September 28, 2016 10:01 AM
To: Edward Bell >
Cc: Alexis Smith >
Subject: RE: Introducing Sara Minkara
HI Edward,
Thank you so much for speaking with us this past Monday! It was great to talk through our different approaches and hear your thoughts.
I want to follow up the call to continue the conversation about the possibility of creating an independent study or elective class for the program consulting projects that we discussed. We have been thinking and have a few questions about ways that we can condense down the program to fit within the semester schedule:
* How many students do you have in your program per year? Is it likely that there would be 4-5 students per year or per semester who would participate?
* Also, is it feasible to condense down our current structure to 5-6 months to span only one semester?
* What would be the cost on your end for a semester long class? (we would research and secure funding streams as well as identify the organizations and projects.)
I look forward to continuing our conversation and hearing your thoughts!
I have also attached our capacity statement that gives you a better idea of our overall vision, mission, and each of our programs. In addition, here is a link to a video that provides more background on why I founded ETI and their our and vision: http://youtu.be/zYerD5UC_O8.
And here is the website to our org: www.etivision.org http://www.etivision.org
Thank you !
From: Edward Bell [mailto:ebell at pdrib.com]
Sent: Monday, September 26, 2016 8:40 AM
To: Sara Minkara >
Cc: 'Pamela Allen' >; 'Edward Bell' >; Alexis Smith >
Subject: RE: Introducing Sara Minkara
Hi,
Yes, it is on my calendar for 8:00 a.m. CDT, which is 20 minutes from now. I don?t think Pam will join but I can fill her in.
From: Sara Minkara [mailto:sminkara at etivision.org]
Sent: Monday, September 26, 2016 7:10 AM
To: Edward Bell <ebell at pdrib.com>
Cc: 'Pamela Allen' >; 'Edward Bell' >; Alexis Smith >
Subject: RE: Introducing Sara Minkara
Hi all,
I hope you had a wonderful weekend. just checking in to see if we are talking today?
Warmly,
Sara
From: Sara Minkara
Sent: Wednesday, September 21, 2016 6:19 PM
To: 'Edward Bell' >; 'Fredric Schroeder' >
Cc: 'Pamela Allen' >; 'Edward Bell' >; Alexis Smith >
Subject: RE: Introducing Sara Minkara
Thank you guys!!
How about then we do Monday at 8:00 am CDT?
My colleague alexis will be joining the call.
We can use the following conference line:
Conference Line: 641-715-3580
Pin: 686829#
Thanks so much!!
From: Edward Bell [mailto:ebell at pdrib.com]
Sent: Wednesday, September 21, 2016 5:13 PM
To: Sara Minkara >; 'Fredric Schroeder' >
Cc: 'Pamela Allen' >; 'Edward Bell' >; Alexis Smith >
Subject: RE: Introducing Sara Minkara
Dear Sara,
I am glad to talk further. I could do this Friday immediately at 8:00 a.m. CDT. Otherwise, Monday is open for me between 8:00?11:00 a.m. CDT.
Which is better for you?
Edward C. Bell, Ph.D., CRC, NOMC
Director, Professional Development and Research
Institute on Blindness
Louisiana Tech University
210 Woodard Hall
PO Box 3158
Ruston LA 71272
Office: 318.257.4554 Fax: 318.257.2259 (Fax) Skype: edwardbell2010
ebell at latech.edu www.pdrib.com http://www.pdrib.com
**************************************************************
"I am somehow less interested in the weight and convolutions of Einstein's brain than in the near certainty that people of equal talent have lived and died in cotton fields and sweatshops."
-- Stephen Jay Gould
From: Sara Minkara [mailto:sminkara at etivision.org]
Sent: Wednesday, September 21, 2016 3:06 PM
To: Edward Bell >; 'Fredric Schroeder' >
Cc: 'Pamela Allen' >; 'Edward Bell' >; Alexis Smith >
Subject: RE: Introducing Sara Minkara
Dear all,
Thank you Fred for the introduction!
Edward and Pam, it is great to meet you virtually! thank you for taking the time to talk to me. how does talking this Friday or next Monday sound? I have layed out below two different opportunities of collaboration.
I would like to explore the possibility of partnering up with the Louisiana Tech Program in the following two ways:
ETI, my nonprofit, has two models or methods for providing life skills and O&M training for both our programs and other organizations within the developing world. I think that we can collaborate on both fronts.
Program Consultant ? In this model, we collaborate with an organization working in the blind community, mostly in the developing world. These organizations reach out to us to train their staff in O&M so that they are able to provide this training to their youth. These organizations do not have the resources or funding to receive this training and certification in the US for a year. To meet this need, we support them both on the ground and virtually for a year in training their staff and participants.
The structure at its base is the following: The trainer meets with the organization on the ground in order to assess the need, then for up to 6 months the trainer will tailor our curriculum to the need, and return in the summer (or based on the organization?s schedule) to conduct the training for the staff and volunteers. For the remainder of the year time period, the trainer will continue to provide virtual support.
For this one, I think that this project will be a great opportunity for your O&M students and trainers to get practical, applied experience on the ground. All of their travel, housing, food, etc. expenses would be covered. They would be responsible for carrying out the above program over a year. Perhaps this can be structured as an independent class or a practicum.
The second model is actually within our full program cycle in the countries where we establish local chapters of ETI. In those countries, we establish a local team to carry out the full program cycle, which currently consists of three programs with the first being the Life Skill Program. However, in order for this to be sustainable, we want the staff running the Life Skill Program to be trained and certified as O&M instructors. With this model, I would like to explore the opportunity of sending 5-10 students each year to your program in order to be trained and certified.
I look forward to discussing this further on a call so that I can fully explain and answer any questions!
Thank you so much!
Sara
Sara Minkara
Founder and CEO
Empowerment Through Integration
www.etivision.org http://www.etivision.org
7815345832
From: Edward Bell [mailto:ebell at pdrib.com]
Sent: Wednesday, September 21, 2016 3:41 PM
To: 'Fredric Schroeder' >; Sara Minkara >
Cc: 'Pamela Allen' >; 'Edward Bell' >
Subject: RE: Introducing Sara Minkara
Dr. Schroeder,
I am glad to talk more with Sara individually first to see how we can help. Then, depending on what we can do, I can bring you/pPam in for conference.
Sara, let me know what days/times work for you, or my contact information is listed below.
Edward C. Bell, Ph.D., CRC, NOMC
Director, Professional Development and Research
Institute on Blindness
Louisiana Tech University
210 Woodard Hall
PO Box 3158
Ruston LA 71272
Office: 318.257.4554 Fax: 318.257.2259 (Fax) Skype: edwardbell2010
ebell at latech.edu www.pdrib.com http://www.pdrib.com
**************************************************************
"I am somehow less interested in the weight and convolutions of Einstein's brain than in the near certainty that people of equal talent have lived and died in cotton fields and sweatshops."
-- Stephen Jay Gould
From: Fredric Schroeder [mailto:fschroeder at sks.com]
Sent: Wednesday, September 21, 2016 1:07 PM
To: 'Sara Minkara' >
Cc: 'Pamela Allen' >; 'Edward Bell' >
Subject: Introducing Sara Minkara
Good afternoon Pam and Eddie,
I have been speaking with an exceptionally innovative and creative young woman named Sara Minkara:
Sara Minkara [mailto:sminkara at etivision.org]
Sara has been doing some interesting and innovative work in a number of foreign countries. Most recently, Sara organized a project to teach orientation and mobility to youth in Lebanon.
Sara and I talked about how to make sustainable change in the service systems in developing countries. I told Sara that I believe that learning to teach cane travel begins with good personal blindness skills and told her a bit about the Louisiana Tech program and how it collaborates with the Louisiana Center for the Blind. We talked about how best to prepare people to gain the skills they need individually so they can return home and teach those skills, particularly cane travel.
I am hoping we can organize a call to talk over how we might work with Sara. We could start with a teleconference or the two of you could speak with Sara individually. Right now, my thoughts are a bit amorphous, so I do not have a specific outcome in mind.
Sara is copied on this note, so please feel free to contact her directly. If you would like me to organize a call, I am happy to do so.
Best,
FKS
Fredric K. Schroeder, President
World Blind Union
