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Sighted Guide Jobs in Texas (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 Texas? For Sighted Guide jobs in Texas, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities in Texas are hiring for Sighted Guide jobs? Cities in Texas with the most Sighted Guide job openings:
Infographic showing various Sighted Guide job openings in Texas as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 76% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 11% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.
Orientation and Mobility Specialist

Orientation and Mobility Specialist

Frisco ISD

Frisco, TX โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Posted yesterday


Job description

Reports To
Special Education Coordinator
Work Year Days
184
Primary Purpose
To provide instruction for students with visual impairments (VI) in the student's school, home, or community setting, in order for the student to acquire the skills necessary for safe and independent travel.
Qualifications
Education/Certification:
Bachelor's degree from accredited college or university
Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist
Special Knowledge/Skills:
Current knowledge in the area of orientation and mobility and visual impairment
Ability to use accepted tests and measurements to assess student mobility needs
Ability to effectively instruct students and manage their behavior
Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
EXPERIENCE:
Minimum of 3 years of experience in the field of orientation and mobility (preferred)
Major Responsibilities and Duties
Screen or evaluate students with visual impairments who demonstrate difficulty with independent travel; reevaluate students as needed.
Identify appropriate training skills or concepts for student's travel needs.
Develop Orientation and Mobility goals and objectives to meet individual student needs.
Identify and adapt training environments for optimum learning of skills.
Adapt the Orientation and Mobility curriculum to meet individual student needs, academic and development level, and chronological age.
Consult as needed with parents, members of the vision team, classroom teachers, Texas Workforce Commission, Health and Human Services Commission, school district personnel, and Low Vision Specialists/Ophthalmologist.
Provide direct instructional services with student with visual impairment as outlined on the IEP in the following areas as needed: Gross Motor Skills Spatial Awareness, Self-Protection, Long Cane Techniques, Low Vision Techniques, Pre-Cane Orientation Concepts, Residential Travel/Commercial Travel/Transitional Travel, Sensory Discrimination and Interpretation, Body Awareness, Use of Pre-Cane Devices, Cane Technique Modifications, Travel Technology, Sighted Guide, and other areas of the Expanded Core Curriculum as appropriate.
Transport students to and from appropriate areas for instruction.
Communicate effectively both verbally and written.
Interpret policy, procedures, and assessment data.
Other Duties as Assigned
Frisco ISD retains the right to adjust the responsibilities and assignments of all positions as needed to meet the needs of the District.
Work Relationships
Frisco ISD is committed to fostering a collaborative work environment that honors and supports the social and emotional well-being of all. Employees are expected to interact in a manner that is becoming of educators and promotes high levels of productivity for the benefit of the students we serve.
Working Conditions
Mental Demands I Physical Demands I Environmental Factors:
Maintain emotional control under stress. Work with frequent interruptions. Frequent district-wide travel. Occasional prolonged and irregular hours. Physical demands include: frequent standing, stooping, bending, kneeling, pushing, pulling, lifting and assisting with transferring students to and from
wheelchairs, and assisting with positioning students with physical disabilities. Exposure to biological
hazards. Occasional lifting up to 50 pounds. Prolonged use of computer and repetitive hand motions.
Special Education General Employee Expectation:
The Special Education Department maintains an expectation that all staff will assume shared responsibility for the health, safety, and confidentiality of all students and adults; which may include implementing, supporting and documenting behavioral intervention strategies and/or providing school health, related, and personal care services.
Disclosure Statements
The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.
The Frisco Independent School District is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against applicants or employees because of race, national origin, gender, age, religion, or disability status of otherwise qualified individuals. FISD does not discriminate on the basis of membership or application for membership in the uniformed services.