Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists
Machines can already do 23% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 44%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 23% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 1% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2037, and 44% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 162,450 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $100,330 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 82% for contact with people.
- Also called: Certified Low Vision Therapist (CLVT), Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS), Mobility Specialist, Orientation and Mobility Instructor (O and M Instructor).
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Write reports or complete forms to document assessments, training, progress, or follow-up outcomes | 12% | 63% to 81% | |
| Teach clients to travel independently, using a variety of actual or simulated travel situations or exercises | 8% | 3% to 25% | |
| Teach independent living skills or techniques, such as adaptive eating, medication management, diabetes management, and personal management | 8% | 3% to 25% | |
| Teach cane skills, including cane use with a guide, diagonal techniques, and two-point touches | 7% | 3% to 25% | |
| Assess clients' functioning in areas such as vision, orientation and mobility skills, social and emotional issues, cognition, physical abilities, and personal goals | 7% | 3% to 25% | |
| Train clients to use adaptive equipment, such as large print, reading stands, lamps, writing implements, software, and electronic devices | 7% | 3% to 25% | |
| Develop rehabilitation or instructional plans collaboratively with clients, based on results of assessments, needs, and goals | 5% | 32% to 55% | |
| Provide consultation, support, or education to groups such as parents and teachers | 5% | 67% to 72% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills low vision therapists, orientation and mobility specialists, and vision rehabilitation therapists use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Physical Therapists41% of tasks by 2035 · US median $102,760
- Athletic Trainers39% of tasks by 2035 · US median $62,520
- Midwives41% of tasks by 2035 · US median $65,790
- Psychiatric Technicians32% of tasks by 2035 · US median $45,130
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2037. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of low vision therapists, orientation and mobility specialists, and vision rehabilitation therapists?
Machines can do 23% of the tasks of low vision therapists, orientation and mobility specialists, and vision rehabilitation therapists today and 44% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 29-1122.01 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/low-vision-therapists-orientation-and-mobility-specialists-and-vision-rehabilitation-therapists/