Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of this study was to determine, through the feedback of experts, the roles and responsibilities, training needs, and supervision needs of paraprofessionals who work with students with visual impairments in public schools (within the itinerant orientation and mobility [O&M] service delivery model). Theoretical Framework. The theoretical framework of this study is based on the research foundations of adult learning theory/andragogy and empowerment theory. Methodology. The subjects in the present study were 11 O&M specialists who supervise paraprofessionals who work with students with visual impairments in public schools (within the itinerant O&M service delivery model) in Southern California. Subjects responded to 2 rounds of surveys. The second round of surveys consisted of the aggregated responses and asked the participants to rank the importance in each category. Six participants were selected and were interviewed post survey. Findings. Two major categories for the roles and responsibilities of paraprofessionals; "reinforcement of O&M skills and monitoring of O&M skills" emerged. Two major categories for the training needs of paraprofessionals; "O&M specific training needs and special-education-related (non-O&M) specific training needs" emerged. Two major categories for the supervision needs of paraprofessionals; "Supervision by O&M and or supervision by other" emerged. An unanticipated outcome of the study was the lack of variance among the ranked responses in the second iteration of the survey. The interviews emphasized/expanded and reiterated the major themes that had begun to take shape in Round 1 of the survey responses. Conclusions and Recommendations. The study data supported the conclusion that part of an O&M's roles and responsibilities include an expected focus on providing training and supervision regarding role-released O&M skills to individuals who interact with students daily. It is recommended that future research should involve further iterations of comparable surveys with a larger statewide population sample to canvas a greater representation of the O&M field.