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Sighted Guide Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Sighted Guide information

What are some common challenges sighted guides face when assisting individuals with visual impairments, and how are these typically addressed on the job?

Sighted guides often encounter challenges such as navigating unfamiliar or crowded environments, maintaining clear communication, and adapting to the individual preferences of those they assist. To address these, guides receive training in effective guiding techniques, including verbal cues and tactile feedback, and learn to anticipate and respond to the needs of the person they are guiding. Team collaboration is also important, as guides frequently coordinate with mobility specialists, family members, or event organizers to ensure safe and seamless experiences.

How to be a sighted guide?

To be a sighted guide, you should develop good communication skills, demonstrate patience, and be attentive to the needs of the person you are assisting. Training in orientation and mobility techniques, as well as understanding how to navigate different environments safely, is often recommended. Being reliable, empathetic, and aware of safety protocols is essential for effective guiding.

Who is the largest employer of blind people?

The federal government is one of the largest employers of blind and visually impaired individuals, offering various jobs including roles for sighted guides and other support positions. Many organizations also employ blind people in fields such as customer service, administration, and technology, often providing accommodations and assistive tools to support their work.

What are sighted guides?

Sighted guides are individuals who assist people who are blind or visually impaired in navigating their environment safely and efficiently. They use specific techniques, such as guiding by the arm, to help direct and protect the person they are assisting. Sighted guides are trained to communicate clearly, describe surroundings, and anticipate obstacles, ensuring a comfortable experience for the person being guided. Their support can be essential in unfamiliar or busy environments, as well as in everyday activities.

What is the difference between Sighted Guide vs Orientation and Mobility Specialist?

AspectSighted GuideOrientation and Mobility Specialist
CredentialsMay include training in guiding techniques, certification variesTypically requires certification in orientation and mobility, such as COMS
Work EnvironmentAssisting individuals in public, indoor, and outdoor settingsTeaching mobility skills, assessments, and training in various environments
Industry UsageCommonly used in community and personal assistanceUsed in rehabilitation, educational, and clinical settings

While both roles support individuals with visual impairments, a Sighted Guide primarily assists by providing physical guidance during mobility, whereas an Orientation and Mobility Specialist offers comprehensive training to develop independent travel skills. The specialist's role is broader, involving assessment and instruction, while the Sighted Guide focuses on immediate assistance.

How to make money as a blind person?

A sighted guide can earn income by providing assistance to visually impaired individuals, often through personal care, navigation, or companionship services. These roles typically require good communication skills, patience, and sometimes certification or training in disability assistance. Opportunities may include working for agencies, offering private services, or through community programs.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Sighted Guide, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Sighted Guide, you need a solid understanding of guiding techniques, awareness of mobility safety, and basic knowledge of visual impairment, which is often gained through specialized training or certification. Familiarity with orientation and mobility tools, as well as first aid certifications, is typically expected. Exceptional communication, patience, and empathy are essential soft skills to support and reassure individuals with visual impairments. These skills and qualities are crucial for ensuring the safety, confidence, and independence of those being guided.

What high paying jobs can blind people do?

Sighted Guide is a role that involves assisting visually impaired individuals, often offering competitive pay depending on experience and setting. Other high-paying jobs for blind or visually impaired people include roles in technology such as software development, customer service, and remote work that rely on skills, training, and accessible tools like screen readers. These positions often require specialized skills, certifications, or adaptive technologies to ensure effective performance.
What are popular job titles related to Sighted Guide jobs in Colorado? For Sighted Guide jobs in Colorado, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Sighted Guide jobs in Colorado look for? The top searched job categories for Sighted Guide jobs in Colorado are:
What cities in Colorado are hiring for Sighted Guide jobs? Cities in Colorado with the most Sighted Guide job openings:
Infographic showing various Sighted Guide job openings in Colorado as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 77% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 11% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.
Teacher for the Visually Impaired and Orientation and Mobility Specialist

Teacher for the Visually Impaired and Orientation and Mobility Specialist

Westminster Public Schools

Westminster, CO

Other

Posted 26 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Provides instruction in core content areas and consultation for students with visual impairments.

  • Coordinates and creates materials in students' preferred learning and literacy modes, including tactile and braille materials.

  • Identifies and provides individualized orientation and mobility instruction to students.


Job description

8 hours per day, 185 days per year
*Licensed staff new to Westminster Public Schools is contracted for 190 days the first year*
Apply online at wps.org. A complete application package includes the following:
Application   
Resume 
Copy of CDE teaching license
Official transcripts 
3 letters of recommendation 
Copy of PRAXIS report
Teacher Insight score
INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS & RESUMES RECEIVED IN LIEU OF APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
*Possess a valid Colorado Teacher License: Teacher for the Visually Impaired 
*Candidates with endorsements in CLDE, Bilingual Ed, Foreign Language, and/or sheltered content or other English Language instructional training desired
*BS or MA in Special Education with endorsements for teaching the Visually Impaired and Orientation and Mobility
*Become braille certified within one year of employment
*Understand eligibility criteria for visual impairment, including blindness, and assist district personnel in determining eligibility of student meeting these criteria
*Knowledge of effective pedagogy and practices for showing positive outcomes for students with visual impairments
*Demonstrates technical skills required to support needs of students with visual impairments (e.g., screen readers, refreshable braille, iPad, voiceover, etc.)
*Demonstrates excellent teaming skills with district-wide staff and administrators
*Demonstrates strong communication skills with general educators and others who work directly with students with visual impairments
*Must show flexibility and have high organizational skills
*Successfully complete pre-employment and background screenings
*Experience and/or skills working with culturally diverse populations desired
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
*Provides appropriate instruction in core content areas and consultation with staff and parents on behalf of students with visual impairments, including for those needing contracted/uncontracted braille, Nemeth/UEB, slate and stylus, abacus, and so on.
*Coordinates and creates materials in the student's preferred learning/literacy mode(s).  This includes tactile and braille materials.
*Teaches students to use appropriate low vision aids and tools to maximize their functional vision.
*Assists team in following through on appropriate sighted guide and safe travel skills within the classroom and building.
*Identifies and provides individualized and appropriate level of orientation and mobility instruction to students.
*Ensures accommodations and modifications are appropriately utilized by students and are being implemented effectively by teachers who work directly with students with visual impairments.
*Conducts Functional Vision Evaluations and writes reports detailing the results and recommendations.
*Completes Learning Media Assessments and writes reports detailing the results and recommendation.
*Assists students to develop appropriate social and independent skills at school, home and community.
*Participates in appropriate staff meetings to review and discuss student needs and progress (e.g., IEP meetings) and participate in professional development as requested.
*Interprets medical reports and help student, family and staff to understand student's vision loss at an appropriate developmental level.
*Displays a thorough knowledge of the subject matter and the District's prescribed proficiency scales in a Competency Based System
*Organizes students for effective instruction to maximize the learning time for all students.
*Fulfills all contractual and professional responsibilities.
*Other reasonable duties as assigned by supervisor.
Westminster Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer. District policy prohibits discrimination against any applicant on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, age, or disability, or other legally protected characteristics. Westminster Public Schools is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs and activities. To request reasonable accommodation or to address matters of discrimination, please contact the Chief of Staff, 6933 Raleigh Street, Westminster, CO 80030, phone: (303) 428-3511, email: CivilPrograms@wps.org. Although the position is based at a school/department, the employer is Westminster Public Schools.