Orientation and Mobility

What is Orientation and Mobility? Orientation – learning where one is in space, also in relation to other people or things Mobility – the ability to travel as independently as possible

Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist Masters degree or certificate program Board certified and must renew certification every 5 years COMS

Roles of COMS Evaluation and assessment of students (familiar and unfamiliar environments) Help teachers, students, and parents create goals Skills addressed: body awareness, environmental awareness, and independent navigation strategies Teach others about need for OM services Provide services in school, home, and other environments Lesson planning and creating materials (i.e. maps) Education of devices/adaptive equipment

Why Start Early Lack of visual motivation/Get child interested in discovering their environment(s) Building strength Pre-canes/AMDs provide more support and balance for movement Alleviating fears of new activities Body awareness Concept development

OM in the School Pull-out service (student taken out of class) Familiarization to school/classrooms/hallway routes before school year begins Familiarization to nearby places: community areas, playgrounds, neighborhood Work with PE teacher for adaptive ideas or equipment (i.e. beeper or bell ball) Work with school personnel, families, and student to make school environment safer (highlighting/taping curbs, ramps, stairs, door jambs)

Transitioning Preparing high school students for transitioning to college and/or work – Scheduling – Public transportation (buses, taxis, dial-a-bus) – Orienting to college campus – Orienting to the job placement Technology Tablets Smartphones GPS Money Readers Bar Code Readers

Sighted Guide

Sighted Guide (Guide etiquette) Ask if the person would like sighted guide Ask which side they would like to walk on Lightly touch person’s arm so they find you If you are briefly leaving the person being guided, orient them to a secure spot before leaving.

Canes Long Cane (Rigid or Folding) Kiddie Cane Cane length depends on user’s height Usually white with red, now available in multiple colors Golf club grip with a flat side (index finger) Meant to cover walking path to free the user to look in front

Other Equipment Monocular Beeper/bell ball Bar code readers Money Readers GPS Systems

Simulators Visionsim