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Orientation and Mobility

W. Ross Macdonald studentOrientation and Mobility (O&M) Specialists at WRMS work closely with students who are blind, visually impaired and deafblind to help them develop the skills necessary for independent and safe travel. They make assessments and referrals and provide direct, one to one training. They monitor and support the development of basic concepts, sensory skills and protective techniques for safe travel.

The use of the sighted guide technique, the long cane, and electronic travel aids are some of the systematic techniques used to facilitate safe and efficient travel.
Orientation is all about where am I, where am I going and how do I get there.

O&M training gives students the necessary orientation skills to answer these three questions. This involves using residual vision and senses such as hearing, touch and smell.
Once a route is planned using orientation skills, mobility training ensures you get there safely. Our O&M staff provide training in effective mobility skills and techniques, including training with a mobility aid (Global Positioning System [G.P.S.] unit or guide dog) if necessary.

Emphasis is on the fundamental need and basic right of visually impaired persons to travel as independently as possible, enjoying and learning from the environment through which they are passing to the greatest extent possible. All of the students at WRMS have the opportunity to participate in O&M lessons.

The lessons include teaching orientation, environment concepts, sensory awareness training, cane skills, low Vision Aids training and teaching the use of advanced technologies.

Training in advanced mobility skills would include:

  • Advanced bus travel and street crossings
  • Familiarizing the student to community services and businesses
  • Mall travel
  • Familiarization to a grocery store
  • Familiarization to a train depot and inter-city travel
  • Travelling in adverse weather
  • Unlimited Community Travel within a city of 50,000 to 80,000

O&M lessons generally are 30-90 minutes a week, depending on the needs of individual students. Lessons are carefully planned to insure success, so that confidence and ability slowly grow together.

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