What is O&M?
Orientation and Mobility (O&M) is a specialised allied health discipline, working with people who have low vision or blindness. It is about helping people to learn how to get around safely, to navigate their local environment, avoiding obstacles, crossing roads safely, catching public transport and using their senses and any residual vision to their best advantage. Graceful and purposeful travel is the objective. This may mean by learning to use a long cane, using an ID cane or use of other technology such as a mini guide, AIRA and GPS, to name a few. Effective O&M skills are a prerequisite for getting a dog guide and I can help to support you in preparing for dog guide mobility. Other people can guide someone who has low vision or blindness and I can work with you directly as well as teaching family or staff members how to appropriately guide someone with low vision or blindness.
Very few people are totally blind from birth and most people have varying degrees of vision and other health needs that co-occur. Common eye conditions that I see people with are Macular Degeneration, Glaucoma, Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) and Diabetic Retinopathy. I also work with people who have less commonly occurring eye conditions, as well as those caused by trauma or brain injury. Through patience and understanding, support is provided at your pace, as you are ready. Whether it is to get around safely and confidently within your own home, getting to work, visiting family or hiking and other adventures, it is about fostering confidence and independence to be engaged in your community.
Some common Orientation and Mobility training tasks are listed below. This is an example of what O&M may involve and is not a complete list:
Negotiating safe road crossings
Recognising cues and clues in the environment
Learning new routes, such as getting to work
Negotiating travel such as public transport and rideshares
Long cane training
Scanning for people with vision loss from Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)
Self advocacy, accepting and declining assistance
Human Guide technique for family, friends, colleagues and staff
Skills to prepare for getting a guide or assistance dog
Environmental Assessment of workplace