Instructors of Persons with Disabilities
(NOC 4215)
in All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community ServicesInstructors of persons with disabilities teach children and adults using a variety of techniques to facilitate communication, rehabilitation, social skills and increased independence. Instructors and teachers of disabled persons may teach reading and writing braille and sign language, or may assist individuals with physical or mental disabilities to develop life skills. They are employed in rehabilitation centres, specialized educational institutes and throughout the school system.
Job Outlook
Undetermined
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Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
This is not a large occupation in Nova Scotia so job opportunities may not be that frequent. With a large percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to be a key contributor to employment opportunities over the coming years. Instructors of Persons with Disabilities most commonly work full-time hours. Furthermore, the jobs may either be permanent or temporary positions, as both are common.
The median employment income for 60% of Instructors of Persons with Disabilities who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $48,496. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, 59% of those who worked full-time year round had a median employment income of $43,600.
(Source: 2016 Census)
Hourly Pay
$14.00
Minimum$20.51
Median$48.35
MaximumAnnual Pay
$7,316
Minimum$44,256
Median$83,227
MaximumCompared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
Hourly Pay
$14.00
Minimum$26.88
Median$46.15
MaximumAnnual Pay
$5,616
Minimum$44,335
Median$92,599
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
Instructors of persons with disabilities teach children and adults using a variety of techniques to facilitate communication, rehabilitation, social skills and increased independence. Instructors and teachers of disabled persons may teach reading and writing braille and sign language, or may assist individuals with physical or mental disabilities to develop life skills. They are employed in rehabilitation centres, specialized educational institutes and throughout the school system.
Job duties
Instructors of persons with disabilities perform some or all of the following duties:
- Develop individualized education and intervention plans based on special needs of client to facilitate their re-adaptation and independence objectives.
- Assess individuals in areas such as physical limitations, orientation and mobility skills, and cognitive, social and emotional barriers to establish client rehabilitation or adaptation goals.
- Assist individuals with physical, intellectual, visual and hearing disabilities or multiple disorders to develop life skills and provide job training.
- Instruct individuals with disabilities and their families in the use of rehabilitative techniques, prosthetic devices, wheelchairs and other equipment designed to maximize clients' independence and potential.
- Instruct persons with a visual impairment in reading and writing braille and in the use of special equipment or supports such as human or animal guides, long canes and other adaptive mobility devices.
- Instruct persons who are hard of hearing or deaf in lip-reading, finger spelling and sign language according to individual communication needs.
- Instruct persons who are hard of hearing or deaf in the formation and development of sounds for speech using hearing aids, and other devices and techniques.
- Collaborate with specialists, such as rehabilitation counsellors, speech-language pathologists and occupational therapists, to develop programs for clients' special needs.
Sample job titles
- braille instructor
- instructor of persons with a mobility impairment
- instructor of persons with a visual impairment
- instructor of persons with disabilities
- instructor of persons with special needs
- orientation and mobility instructor
- rehabilitation teacher
- sign language teacher
- special education technician - persons with disabilities
- teacher of persons who are hearing impaired
Skills
To work in this field, you should be patient, imaginative, objective, and resourceful. Leadership skills and the ability to motivate students are important. You must be able to communicate ideas in a clear, concise, and interesting way. Planning and organizational skills are also necessary. Instructors must be knowledgeable about their subjects and keep informed of new material or methods of teaching.
Job requirements
- Completion of a college program in special education, rehabilitation, orientation and mobility, visual impairment, hearing impairment or intellectual disability is required.
- A bachelor's degree in special education or a related field such as social work or psychology may be required.
Other considerations
Both part-time and self-employment are relatively common for this group.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Halifax
Southern
Northern
Cape Breton
Annapolis Valley
Compared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
Northern
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Health Care and Social Assistance
Educational Services
Other Industries
Public Administration
What is the age of Employment?
25-34
45-54
35-44
55-64
15-24
Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
35-44
45-54
55-64
25-34
65+
Top levels of education
Bachelor's degree
$21,337 median annual incomeDoctorate
N/ACollege certificate or diploma
$25,081 median annual incomeHigh school
$13,311 median annual incomeTrades certificate
$22,251 median annual incomeCompared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
Bachelor's degree
$43,533 median annual incomeCollege certificate or diploma
$28,183 median annual incomeMaster's degree
$35,978 median annual incomeHigh school
$25,801 median annual incomeDoctorate
$60,991 median annual incomeEducation & training
American Sign Language (ASL)
This program may be offered at the college, trades, or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that focuses on American Sign Language as a visual and motor medium of communication and discourse for deaf individuals and deaf culture. These programs include courses in the development of ASL, ASL morphology and syntax, signing technique, English translation of ASL, formal and colloquial ASL, and ASL transcription.
Institutions providing this program
80 Mawiomi Place
Dartmouth, NS B2Y 0A5
(902) 491-1100
Applied behaviour analysis
This program is typically offered at the college or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that focuses on the application of principles of learning and behaviour to enhance the development, abilities, and choices of children and adults; and that prepares individuals to address the behavioural needs of individuals, especially those with developmental disabilities and autism. These programs include courses in behaviour analysis and learning, behavioural and functional assessment, developmental psychology, applied behavioural analysis in developmental disabilities and autism, applied behavioural analysis in mental health and aging, research methods, evaluation of interventions, and professional and ethical issues.
Institutions providing this program
50 Elliott Road
Lawrencetown, NS B0S 1M0
(902) 825-3491
226 Reeves Street
Port Hawkesbury, NS B9A 2A2
(902) 625-2380
Deaf studies
This program is typically offered at the college or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that focuses on the sociological, historical and linguistic aspects of the deaf and hearing impaired, and that prepares individuals to work with the deaf and hearing impaired. These programs include courses in sign language, deaf studies, deaf culture, structure of sign language, history of the deaf community, and civil rights of deaf people.
Institutions providing this program
80 Mawiomi Place
Dartmouth, NS B2Y 0A5
(902) 491-1100
Education of individuals with multiple disabilities
This program is typically offered at the college or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that focuses on the design of educational services for children or adults with multiple disabilities which adversely affect their educational performance and that prepares individuals to teach such students. These programs include courses in identifying students with multiple disabilities, developing individual education plans, teaching and supervising multiple handicapped students, counselling, and applicable laws and policies.
Institutions providing this program
236 Belcher Street
Kentville, NS B4N 0A6
(902) 678-7341
75 High Street
Bridgewater, NS B4V 1V8
(902) 543-4608
PO Box 1042, 1240 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6J7
(902) 563-2450
Psychology - General
This program is typically offered at the college or university level.This instructional program class includes any general program that focuses on the scientific study of individual and collective behaviour, the physical and environmental bases of behaviour, and the analysis and treatment of behaviour problems and disorders. These programs include courses in the principles of the various subfields of psychology, research methods, and psychological assessment and testing methods.
Institutions providing this program
Office of the Registrar
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
(902) 494-2450
6350 Coburg Road
Halifax, NS B3H 2A1
(902) 422-1271
166 Bedford Highway
Halifax, NS B3M 2J6
(902) 457-6117
PO Box 5000
Antigonish, NS B2G 2W5
(902) 867-2219
923 Robie Street
Halifax, NS B3H 3C3
(902) 420-5400
PO Box 5300 1250 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6L2
(888) 959-9995
Secondary education and teaching
This program is typically offered at the college or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that prepares individuals to teach students in the secondary grades, which may include grades seven through twelve, depending on the school system and applicable regulations. May include preparation to teach a comprehensive curriculum or specific subject matter.
Institutions providing this program
166 Bedford Highway
Halifax, NS B3M 2J6
(902) 457-6117
Siège Social: 1695, Route 1
Pointe-de-l'Église, NS B0W 1M0
(902) 769-2114
PO Box 5000
Antigonish, NS B2G 2W5
(902) 867-2219
PO Box 5300 1250 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6L2
(888) 959-9995
Social work - General
This program is typically offered at the college or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that prepares individuals for the professional practice of social welfare administration and counselling, and that focuses on the study of organized means of providing basic support services for vulnerable individuals and groups. These programs include courses in social welfare policy; case work planning; social counselling and intervention strategies; administrative procedures and regulations; and specific applications in areas such as child welfare and family services, probation, employment services, and disability counselling.
Institutions providing this program
Office of the Registrar
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
(902) 494-2450
Siège Social: 1695, Route 1
Pointe-de-l'Église, NS B0W 1M0
(902) 769-2114
Special education and teaching - General
This program is typically offered at the college or university level.This instructional program class includes any general program that focuses on the design and provision of teaching and other educational services to children or adults with special learning needs or disabilities, and that prepares individuals to function as special education teachers. These programs include courses in diagnosing learning disabilities, developing individual education plans, teaching and supervising special education students, special education counselling, and applicable laws and policies.
Institutions providing this program
Employment requirements & contacts
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