Orientation and Mobility

Orientation and mobility is essential, sequential instruction for individuals with visual impairments in using their remaining senses to determine position in space within the environment and techniques for safe movement from one place to another. These skills are taught by a COMS. Instructional skills include, but are not limited to:

• Concept development (body image, spatial, temporal, positional, directional, and environmental);
• Sensory and motor development;
• Use of residual vision and low-vision devices;
• Human (sighted) guide techniques;
• Cane techniques;
• Route planning;
• Problem-solving skills;
• Techniques for crossing streets; and
• Use of public transportation.

Orientation and mobility instructors work in center-based, school, and itinerant situations. They are frequently called upon to assist public transportation authorities in environmental management planning, such as alleviation of dangers caused by complex road patterns (e.g., traffic circles, multiple street intersections) and selective installation of audible pedestrian signals.