Information and Resource Referral Project

Orientation and Mobility Defined

. Orientation and Mobility is an area of instruction that describes the ability of a person who is blind or severely visually impaired to move safely through the environment with dignity, determination and confidence.

. Orientation describes a person's understanding of where they are in space and their to find their way through an environment to a destination. Orientation includes the understanding of directionality (north, south, east, west) and comprehension of the magnitude and intricacies of the environment.

. Mobility in the context of vision-related concerns describes the ability of a person to move safely and comfortably. Traditionally persons who are blind have used either human guides, guide dogs or white canes to assist them in mobility travel.

How does a person who is blind learn Orientation and Mobility skills?

Orientation and Mobility (O & M) skills are taught by a certified Orientation and Mobility instructor or an Orientation and Mobility specialist. O & M instructors go through a rigorous educational and training program and are usually university trained. Universities and Colleges providing training are listed in another section of this website. Some instructors receive training at centers, but all must be certified in order to be covered by liability insurance. If a person is interested in a career as an O & M instructor, information on this profession is available on the Careers in Blindness Related Professions areas of this site.

A person who is blind usually starts O & M instruction with an assessment of the particular needs that will be covered in an individualized program of instruction. The O & M instructor conducts this assessment. A plan is then written to include the estimated number of days or weeks of instruction, and the environment where the instruction will take place. Instruction almost always occurs in the real environment, so if a person needs to learn how to cross a particular intersection, that instruction takes place at the intersection. Some initial instruction may take place at a rehabilitation center, but most instruction is outside in all types of weather conditions, as needed.

How can I walk more comfortably with a friend who is blind?

When a person who is blind travels with a friend or companion, a method called sighted guide technique allows them to travel together comfortably. The person who is blind simply grasps the guide with one hand slightly above the guide's elbow and walks about 1/2 pace back to the side. The guide walks at a comfortable pace and with experience, it is very easy to move without concern through very complex narrow spaces, doors, escalators, uneven terrain and even some hiking challenges like stepping stones to cross creeks. O & M instructors teach these specific methods as well as variations for persons who need physical support or for children.

How does that white cane work?

The use of the white cane is a very specialized skill. There are two distinct methods of instruction that vary according to the length of the cane used and the methods used are specific to the length of the cane used.

. The long cane method is taught by principles established by the National Federation of the Blind (NFB), a consumer group of persons who are blind. In most cases the long cane is about the same height as the person and is used to clear a large area allowing the person to walk fairly fast. The cane is made out of flexible material and does not have a red strip at the bottom. The methods for using it properly are very specialized and are taught at the NFB rehabilitation centers. More information can be obtained by contacting the NFB website.

. The Hoover method was developed by the Hines Rehabilitation Center for the Blind which is a part of the Veterans Administration. The white cane is a little shorter, coming from the ground to a height at about the middle of the breast bone and usually has a red strip at the base. It is used to clear the specific spot where the person will palace their next foot when walking. It involves a specific rythmn and methods which are also very specialized. This technique is taught in most school programs and state rehabilitation agencies serving the blind.

How does a person get a guide dog?

A guide dog is an excellent aid for some people, but a person must have good Orientation and Mobility skills before they will be accepted at a guide dog school. Dogs respond to commands of directionality so the person needs to know exactly how to get to their destination. Basic commands include "left", "right", "forward", and "stop". Some dogs also will respond to more advanced commands like "find the door" or "home".

To get a guide dog, a person needs a recommendation from an Orientation and Mobility Instructor and has to apply directly to the dog guide school of their choice. Most schools require the person to be at least 16 or 18 years of age and have references indicating that they are capable of caring for the dog. A listing of guide dogs schools appears on this website. Click here to see them.

The cost varies depending upon the dog guide school. There are some that are no cost and others require the blind person themselves to pay a minimal fee for the dog and still others are sponsored by civic clubs. Some schools retain ownership of the dog, others release it to the ownership of the person.

Once a person is accepted to a school, the actual training is done at the facility and usually lasts for a full month. The person is matched with a dog of suitable temperament and ability for the specific guiding demands necessary. The person can make requests for specific breeds, but they may not always be accommodated. Persons with special needs such as additional disabilities or unusual travel demands, may need to wait for a suitable dog to become available. If necessary, follow-up by the school can be conducted in the home area, but usually an O & M Instructor can provide the necessary follow-up.

Related Websites

California Association of Orientation & Mobility Specialists
URL: http://www.CAOMS.org

Careers at the Guide Dog Association of New Wales
URL::http://www.guidedogs.com.au/careers/index.htm

Certification of O & M Instructors
URL::http://www.shef.ac.uk/psychology/research/tmrg/

Electronic Travel Aids for the Blind
URL::http://www.noogenesis.com/ETA.html

Electronic Travel Aids
URL::http://www.noogenesis.com/ETA.html