Instructors and Teachers of Persons with Disabilities (NOC 4215)
Description
Instructors and teachers of persons with disabilities teach children and adults with physical and developmental disabilities communication techniques, such as Braille or sign language as well as rehabilitation skills to increase independence and mobility. They are employed in rehabilitation centres, specialized educational institutes and throughout the elementary and secondary school system.
Return to top
Example Titles
- instructor, orientation and mobility
- job coach for persons with disabilities
- rehabilitation instructor
- sign language instructor
- teacher of Braille
- teacher of persons who are blind
- teacher of persons who are hearing impaired
- teacher of persons who are intellectually impaired
- teacher of persons with a physical disability
- teacher, rehabilitation
>> View all titles
Return to top
Classified Elsewhere
- Early Childhood Educators and Assistants (4214)
- Elementary and Secondary School Teacher Assistants (6472)
- Elementary School and Kindergarten Teachers (4142)
- Secondary School Teachers (4141)
Return to top
Duties
Instructors and teachers of persons with disabilities perform some or all of the following duties:
- Instruct students who are blind or visually impaired in reading and writing Braille and in the use of special equipment
- Instruct students who are deaf or hearing impaired in lip-reading, finger spelling and sign language, according to individual communication needs
- Instruct students who are hearing impaired in formation and development of sounds for speech using hearing aids and other devices
- Instruct individuals with physical disabilities and their families in the use of rehabilitative techniques, prosthetic devices, wheelchairs and other equipment designed to minimize the effects of a disability
- Assist individuals with intellectual impairments and physical disabilities to develop life skills and provide job training and support.
Return to top
Skills
Instructors and teachers of disabled persons need the following skills and abilities:
- an interest in helping students who have greater needs than others,
- the ability to communicate verbally in a clear, concise and interesting manner,
- communication skills may include sign language or some knowledge of a second language,
- the ability to use technology such as computers, synthesized speech and voice recognition systems, interactive educational software, audio tapes and scanners,
- compassion, patience and persistence,
- the ability to motivate students,
- ability to deal with difficult behaviour,
- a good sense of humour,
- creativity in applying different teaching methods and resourcefulness in using available or obtaining new material,
- good organizational skills to maintain records and resource materials,
- the ability to build relationships with students, parents, and other professionals in education and health care,
- physical fitness and stamina,
- good time management skills.
Return to top
Employment Requirements
- In Manitoba, Special Education teachers and Special Education Coordinators who work in a public school system require a valid Manitoba Special Education Teacher Certificate by Manitoba Education, Citizenship and Youth, Professional Certification Unit.
- To receive a Manitoba Special Education Teacher Certificate you must first have a valid Manitoba Professional Teacher Certificate along with a minimum of 2 years of successful teaching experience while holding the professional teacher certificate.
- Completion of a Bachelor of Education plus the completion of a post-baccalaureate degree in rehabilitation or special education which meets the requirements for professional certification.
- Instructors of persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may require certification from The Canadian Association of Educators for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing.
- Community agencies may hire instructors and special needs teachers who have experience working with special needs children or adults as volunteers.
Return to top
Terms & Conditions
Instructors and teachers of disabled persons commonly work in indoor classrooms. In schools, working hours are similar to those of other teachers. In rehabilitation centres or community agencies most work regular daytime hours during the week, with an occasional requirement for evening or weekend work.
This work can be stressful and demanding, depending upon the nature of the student's disability. It can also be enormously rewarding when progress is made. Part time work opportunities are available, although the majority work full-time (83%). Almost all instructors and teachers of persons with disabilities are salaried employees. Self employment is rare.
Return to top
Earnings
$24,100 per annum - starting
$41,000 per annum - average
$65,600 per annum - high
Earnings are reviewed annually or more frequently if new information becomes available.
Return to top
Education / Training
Brandon University offers the following program:
- Master's of Education with a specialization in Special Education
University of Manitoba offers the following program:
- Master's of Education with a specialization in Inclusive Special Education
Red River College offers the following programs:
- Studies in Special Needs Child Care Certificate (6 courses) by distance education or through Continuing Education
- Joint American Sign Language English Interpretation Program (AEIP) with the University of Manitoba (3 years)
- Deaf Studies Certificate (1 year)
- Child and Youth Care Diploma (2 years) for working with children and youth experiencing behavioural and/or emotional difficulties.
- Disability and Community Support Diploma (2 years)
- Applied Studies/Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Certificate through Continuing Education
University College of the North offers the following program:
- Educational Rehabilitation Assistant Diploma (2 years)
High School:
- Some high schools in Manitoba offer a program in Child and Health Care Occupations.
Return to top
Career Paths
Most special education teachers have experience helping disabled people before taking an education degree. They may gain experience working or volunteering with community service agencies.
Special education teachers may advance to supervisory or administrative positions in schools or with community service agencies.
With further education, special needs teachers may become university professors.
Return to top
Outlook
Employment prospects for instructors and teachers of persons with disabilities are expected to be good in the period 2010 - 2014. Employment in Manitoba in 2010 is estimated at 185.
The teaching profession in Manitoba has an ageing workforce, and while this is a relatively small teaching specialty there will be job opportunities arising over the forecast period due to retirements. There is widespread acceptance of the need to fund programs which support the disabled, to enable them to participate fully in society. Government support is not expected to decrease over the forecast period.
A proportionally larger number of jobs are located in Winnipeg. Instructors and teachers of persons with disabilities work primarily in the Educational Services sector (38 %), followed by Health Care and Social Assistance (30%).
Return to top
Employment by Age Group
Return to top
Employment by Industry
Return to top
Employment by Region
Return to top
Employment by Gender
Return to top
Employment by Aboriginal Self-Identification
Return to top
Employment by Visible Minority
Return to top
Please Note - The source for above charts is the 2006 Census.
Professional Associations, Unions, and Regulatory Bodies...
Return to top
