The term rehabilitation teacher is broad, and could refer to any person who helps someone with a disability deal with the circumstances of their condition. Most commonly, the title of rehabilitation teacher refers to a vision professional, and is someone who works with the blind and visually impaired. When a person chooses to become a rehabilitation teacher, he or she helps students adjust to their disability and learn to be independent despite the challenges it may produce.
When you decide to become a rehabilitation teacher, you must be prepared to abide by strict ethical and professional standards. People with disabilities put their trust in teachers to teach them the skills they need to overcome their impairments. For this reason, it is imperative that a rehabilitation teacher operates under the highest set of ethics, and must sign a statement promising to always operate under these standards.
The first step to become a vision rehabilitation teacher is to determine what job in the rehabilitation field best fits your skills and interests. One option is to become a teacher of students with visual impairments, a person who helps students explore the world using their remaining four senses. Another job is that of an orientation and mobility specialist, a teacher who helps the visually impaired learn how to travel independently. Other professions include vision rehabilitation specialists, rehabilitation counselors, or low vision therapists.
No matter what profession you choose, a bachelor’s degree is usually required in order to become a rehabilitation teacher. Some vision specialist jobs also require that the bachelor's degree be in a discipline-specific area, such as education. Depending on the state or country you live in, additional requirements may differ. Some areas allow you to become certified with just a bachelor’s degree, and others require a master’s degree. It is important to research your specific state or region to ensure that you meet local requirements.
There are various institutions that will certify you to become a rehabilitation teacher. The easiest way to find a certification center in your area is to search the Internet. You can find a list of accredited colleges and universities online.
