I have heard about this in areas where cane travel instructors are at a
shortage. Different skillset entirely, but done mostly out of desperation.
In the isolated cases that I have known about, the OT were not overstepping
because they wanted to, and it was supposed to be a temporary measure until
an O&M instructor was found. Merely anecdotal evidence though. However,
across the board, in k-12 settings, due to the teacher shortages, they are
lowering the standards needed to be an educator, so I'm sure special
education is also taking an unfortunate hit as well.
Warm regards,
Colin Wong
From: NOMC <nomc-bounces at lists.nbpcb.org> On Behalf Of Altman, Jeff
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2022 5:55 AM
To: Merry-Noel <owinm at yahoo.com>; Jane Lansaw <widearc2000 at gmail.com>; NOMC
Mailing List <NOMC at lists.nbpcb.org>
Subject: Re: [Nomc] ACVREP considering certifying occupational therapist for
love vision and blindness
I have run across this a few times, but not in an organized effort. I always
explain to PT's and OT's especially, that they basically work with people
from the neck down, and we work with them from the neck up, and there simply
isn't enough overlap for either of us to attempt to do the other person's
job, not without going through the required training anyway. In any case,
they're not lining up for the LATech program as far as I can tell.
Jeff
From: NOMC > On Behalf Of Merry-Noel
Sent: Wednesday, October 26, 2022 7:12 PM
To: Jane Lansaw >;
NOMC Mailing List >
Subject: Re: [Nomc] ACVREP considering certifying occupational therapist for
love vision and blindness
Hello Jane and others,
I have seen this happen in the school system in Nebraska. When this happens,
I have mentioned to the person that it is crossing professional lines.
Together, we can best serve our student so we need to collaborate. I have a
meeting next week with an OT to plan for a student with Batten's Disease.
Merry-Noel
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On Wednesday, October 26, 2022, 7:00 PM, Jane Lansaw > wrote:
Good evening colleges,
I am sitting in the orientation mobility specialist association meeting and
listening to people worry about a news certification that may be coming
through the Academy.
Is anybody on our team seeing occupational and physical therapists stepping
out of line and trying to teach orientation and mobility? this is the first
that I heard it was a problem and the first I heard academy is considering
certifications for occupational therapist in either blindness or low vision.
Some COMS are already saying they are seeing paraprofessionals doing their
jobs. they seem to be referring to occupational therapists and physical
therapists. Is anybody on our team seeing this? I'm really not.
A little concerned about what the Academy plans to certify and how robust
the tests are but honestly, I'm just not seeing it in my area. It's
definitely something to watch but more to watch what the Academy is up to
then watching occupational and physical therapists to see if they are
stepping over a line.
Even in Oklahoma where we have a training center accredited by NAC, using
occupational therapists and certified occupational therapy assistance to
teach braille and home management skills, even there they look to certified
orientation mobility specialist for cane travel. I'm just not seeing these
people step over the line. Am I isolated here in this state? Is there a lot
going on and I don't know?
Curiouser and curiouser,
Jane Lansaw
NOMC
Tulsa Oklahoma
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