Visual Impairment Specialist

Description and Responsibilities

Visual impairment specialists define, design and implement adaptation and rehabilitation programs to help patients participate in society to their fullest.

This is accomplished through:

• An assessment of patients’ needs
• Assistance in giving them increased autonomy
  • In their domestic activities and daily life
  • Reading and writing
  • With adaptive computing technology
  • With academic, professional and social integration

Visual impairment specialists provide psychosocial support to patients and their immediate network, and refer them to partners when required. They help maintain the daily autonomy of patients with visual impairments.

Source: Comité patronal de négociation du secteur de la santé et des services sociaux  (in French only)

Education and Training Requirements

Visual impairment specialists must hold a post-graduate diploma in visual impairment care with a specialization in rehabilitation (diplôme d’études supérieures spécialisées en intervention en déficience visuelle – Réadaptation  – in French only). This program is offered at Université de Montréal only. Université de Montréal also offers a master's program in vision science (maîtrise en sciences de la vision  – in French only) with a specialization in visual impairment and rehabilitation.

Required Interests, Skills and Personality Type

• Must be a good communicator and listener
• Must be able to solve problems and make decisions
• Must be thorough and detail-oriented
• Must enjoy working in a team with colleagues and other professionals
• Must love contact with the public

Personality Type (RIASEC)

SIR

• S - Prefers to be in contact with people and to help them
• I - Prefers studying, understanding and solving problems
• R - Prefers practical work and handling tools

Work Environment

Visual impairment specialists work in health and social services network rehabilitation centres (in French only).