Collaboration with paraprofessionals, allied professionals, and volunteers is encouraged to foster a supportive environment and maximize resources. Engaging with university programs can be a valuable strategy for recruiting interns and volunteers.
Paraprofessionals
Best Practices:
OIB programs will have a specific description of the role and scope of paraprofessionals in the agency that will not allow paraprofessionals to function outside of those parameters. Paraprofessionals will always work under the supervision of appropriate, certified/licensed professionals to assist or support service delivery. Each agency will develop a list of competencies for paraprofessionals and clearly define what activities can and cannot be performed in the paraprofessional role. In some agencies, there are individuals who work as cultural liaisons or accessibility aides with unique paraprofessional roles, such as driving or reading. These paraprofessionals will also receive appropriate training and supervision.
Any agency that does not implement best practices will have a plan in place to move toward best practices that includes an expeditious timetable and benchmarks. Use of paraprofessionals will be avoided until best practice guidelines are achieved.
It is unacceptable for paraprofessionals to provide professional services. Services to support instruction or skills without direct supervision from a certified/licensed professional are also unacceptable.
Paraprofessionals can be helpful in supporting service delivery, provided they are under the direct supervision of a certified or licensed professional in the area of service. Paraprofessionals are typically not certified or licensed to provide services and do not operate under a professional Code of Ethics; therefore, they should not provide professional services, including assessment and instruction.
The OIB program manager has the responsibility to monitor the use of paraprofessionals to ensure that paraprofessionals are not functioning outside of their scope of duties and are functioning with supervision from a certified/licensed professional. Professionals will monitor paraprofessional work to prevent them from functioning beyond their level of expertise or outside their defined scope of work.
Volunteers and Allied Professionals
Best Practices:
Volunteers: Agencies working with volunteers will have a plan for recruitment, background checks, training, supervision, documentation of time and services, recognition, etc. Agencies with no volunteer coordinator may outsource volunteer services, especially for transportation assistance, Support Service Providers (SSP), and reader services. Volunteers are for support in non-professional service delivery. Prior consumers may volunteer in some capacities (e.g., in peer support groups, community outreach, etc.). All volunteers must receive appropriate training, particularly with regard to confidentiality issues, informed consumer choice, consumer safety, and cultural competence. With consumer consent, and at the discretion of the qualified professional, family members may provide support services as volunteers. Consumer choice regarding the use of a family volunteer must be accommodated. Family members will not function as interpreters except in cases of emergency.
Other Professionals (including Allied Health): Collaborative work with other professionals (e.g., mental health providers, occupational therapists, or physicians) is encouraged but must only occur with consumer consent. University preparation programs, where available, may be a beneficial source for recruiting interns and/or volunteers.
Any agency that does not implement best practices will have a plan in place to move toward best practices that includes an expeditious timetable and benchmarks.
Volunteers: Involving any volunteer at a level beyond their training and abilities is unacceptable. Volunteers will not replace qualified, well-trained professionals. It is unacceptable to use volunteers who have not had appropriate background checks.
Other Professionals: When OIB staff do not have the expertise or resources to address the consumer’s need, referral or collaboration with other service delivery systems or professionals is required. Communicating with or referring consumers to other professionals outside the OIB program without the consent of the consumer is unacceptable. It is inappropriate to delegate service delivery to another agency with staff who are unqualified for the services rendered.
Agencies with insufficient staff to meet client needs may rely on screened volunteers or other qualified professionals to provide services; however, if the appropriate safeguards are not in place to train volunteers so that consumer privacy, dignity, and quality of services are maintained, then it is best to avoid involving volunteers. Referrals may be made only to providers who have the experience and professional licensure and/or certification to perform the needed service. The consumer should supply appropriate release forms prior to the agency contacting other providers on their behalf.
Vision Health Course: The Tennessee Public Health Training Center offers a free vision health course that addresses adults with blind or low vision in practice. The audience includes the public health practice community and health professionals, doctors, and nurses nationwide. The course includes information on recognizing vision problems, strategies to interact and assist, and building community capacity. It carries a maximum of 2.0 hours of AMA PRA Category 1 Credit.
Best Practices Guide: The American Foundation for the Blind has put together a Best Practices Guide, which includes training materials for ancillary support staff, food services, admissions, and guest services. The materials offer do’s and don’ts and instructions on how to interact appropriately with patients who are blind/have low vision. The guide includes two videos and handouts for each type of staff.
Meeting the Need of Older Passengers with Vision Loss: Guidance for Transportation Providers: This resource was created to provide guidance to transportation providers to better serve older adults with vision loss. This is a joint publication of the National Aging and Disability Transportation Center and the American Foundation for the Blind.
Getting Started Guide: A Guide to People New to Vision Loss: Updated annually, this guide provides information for someone recently diagnosed with an eye condition. Designed to point an individual in the direction of finding the tools, information, support systems, and guidance needed after vision loss.
Aging and Vision Loss National Coalition (AVLNC) Service Provider Toolkit: This toolkit identifies the multiple impacts of vision loss on every aspect of providing services to older adults.
"T.I.P.S. for Helping People with Vision Problems" offers practical strategies to enhance the everyday lives of individuals who have trouble seeing. Through real-life scenarios, you will gain valuable insights into fostering a supportive atmosphere where every person feels included, comfortable, and in control of their daily lives. Check out this FREE course today!
This FREE 1 credit self-paced video/recorded training course was developed in 2023 for social work professionals. The course will familiarize these professionals who are new to interacting with older adults experiencing vision impairment or blindness with strategies and techniques.
The vision rehabilitation field is experiencing a shortage of qualified professionals. This course was created to assist those tasked with overseeing the important final training step for a new Vision Impairment Rehabilitation Specialist. This course will guide you through an organizational and self-assessment to determine if you are ready and able to host an intern. This course is available for 1-hour ACVREP and NBPCB credit.
This course will review key topics for occupational therapists new to interacting with patients experiencing blindness or low vision. Topics covered include the anatomy of the eye, common eye conditions, compensatory strategies, appropriate behavior while engaging with those who are blind or have low vision, and the importance of collaboration with vision rehabilitation professionals.
This course focuses on the neuropsychological evaluation of individuals with visual impairment or blindness for purposes of vocational rehabilitation. This course is available for CRC, ACVREP, and NBPCB credit.
Whether support groups are peer-led and community-based, agency-led and hosted, virtual or in-person, educational or social, vision rehabilitation professionals value the role of the vision loss support group in aiding the adjustment process for the individuals they serve. Join Polly Abbott, CVRT, for this informative webinar as she highlights some important factors to consider before starting a new group!
