Bill > SCR1

This Concurrent Resolution urges the Department of Education to create and put into action a program specifically designed to find and hire qualified blind individuals to work as orientation and mobility instructors and other teaching roles for students who are visually impaired. Orientation and mobility (O&M) instruction teaches blind individuals how to travel safely and independently, and the resolution highlights the "Structured Discovery Cane Travel" method, which relies on the lived experiences of blind people and emphasizes the employment of blind instructors. The resolution notes that historically, the Department of Education has favored certifications like the Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS) which focus on a vision-centered approach and often lead to the hiring of non-blind instructors, thus limiting job opportunities for qualified blind professionals. It also calls for the Superintendent of Education to report to the Legislature on the progress and recommendations for increasing the employment of blind instructors in these roles.