[Job-Listings] Help spread the word: Minnesota Center for the Blind is hiring a cane travel instructor

[Andrews, David B (DEED)]

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The following comes from Briley O’Connor, Executive Director of the Minnesota Center for the Blind (formerly BLIND, Inc.)

Cane Travel Instructor (Full-time, Exempt)

Starting salary: $50,000 + benefits

Location: Minnesota Center for the Blind (MCB), Minneapolis, MN

About MCB

Minnesota Center for the Blind is relaunching structured-discovery training to meet today’s realities. We deliver expectation-rich instruction in cane travel, Braille, assistive technology, home and personal management, careers, and a blindness-specific English Language Learning program. We are a proud affiliated center of the National Federation of the Blind. We are assembling a small, dynamic team that loves to build, iterate, and innovate with students so graduates leave confident, employed, and connected.

About the Role

MCB is restarting programming and seeking a Cane Travel Instructor to provide structured-discovery orientation and mobility training. You will build the initial cane travel curriculum; deliver group and one-to-one instruction using nonvisual techniques under learning shades; teach judgment-based problem solving, environmental and traffic analysis, safe street crossings, public transit use, and indoor/outdoor orientation; adapt instruction for students with multiple disabilities; and maintain complete records and monthly progress reports for vocational-rehabilitation agencies. The role includes frequent community-based instruction in all seasons and occasional evening and weekend lessons (for example, night travel and winter conditions).

Key Responsibilities
Program Development & Instruction
Design and maintain the initial cane travel curriculum aligned to structured-discovery pedagogy, with lesson sequences, expectations, and assessments.
Deliver structured-discovery instruction (Socratic questioning, guided problem-solving) to build confidence, judgment, and independent decision-making under learning shades.
Teach adults and, as needed, K–12 students; provide group classes and individualized instruction across classroom and community settings; set clear performance benchmarks.
Adapt instruction for DeafBlind and hard-of-hearing students, people with traumatic brain injury, Autism or other neurodiversity, and students who use walkers or wheelchairs.
Work effectively alongside interpreters and other communication supports arranged by MCB; employ tactile, auditory, and plain-language strategies while maintaining high expectations.
Student Support & Operations
Participate in intake, orientation, and goal-setting for travel training.
Communicate routinely with students, families, and VR counselors regarding goals, progress, and next steps; coordinate with Braille, Assistive Technology, Home Management, Careers, and ELL instructors to integrate cross-curricular travel goals.
Manage inventory of long white canes, learning shades, and training aids; request replacements as needed.
Follow documented procedures and checklists for emergency response, severe weather, and night travel.
Represent MCB at state conventions, state agency meetings, and other external events as appropriate; share program updates and model the structured-discovery philosophy.
Documentation & Program Administration
Maintain accurate daily notes, attendance, and skill checklists for each student.
Produce monthly progress reports for vocational-rehabilitation agencies; contribute to Individualized Training Plans and exit summaries.
Assist with program-level budget tasks for cane travel (equipment and supplies, communication supports, transit and training expenses); submit purchase requests and reconcile receipts.
Take on related projects as program needs evolve to advance MCB’s mission.
Required Qualifications
National Orientation & Mobility Certification (NOMC) — required at start date; maintain active certification and continuing education.
Demonstrated commitment to the structured-discovery philosophy and high expectations for blind and low-vision students.
Strong communication and documentation skills; ability to collaborate across disciplines.
Proficiency with Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Teams, OneDrive, Word, Excel) and basic digital file management in a cloud environment.
Ability to conduct extended lessons outdoors and in the community in all seasons, including occasional evenings and weekends.
Eligibility to work in the United States; successful completion of a background check after a conditional offer.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience developing curricula (lesson sequences, assessments, performance benchmarks).
Experience teaching or supporting DeafBlind students and working alongside interpreters; ASL proficiency a plus.
Familiarity with public transit systems and travel-related mobile apps; basic comfort with assistive technology.
Experience working with culturally and linguistically diverse communities; multilingual skills a plus.
Current First Aid/CPR certification or willingness to obtain within 90 days of hire.
How to Apply

Email your resume and cover letter to executivedirector at blindinc.org<mailto:executivedirector at blindinc.org> with the subject line "Cane Travel Instructor - [Your Name]".

Interview accommodations: If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or interview process, please email executivedirector at blindinc.org<mailto:executivedirector at blindinc.org>.

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Equal Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination
MCB is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), marital status, familial status, disability (including blindness and low vision), age, genetic information, veteran or military status, status with regard to public assistance, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We welcome and encourage applications from people who are blind or low-vision, people with disabilities, and candidates from historically marginalized communities. All hiring decisions are based on qualifications and job-related criteria
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