Orientation and Mobility: the key to finding your way around
Being able to get around independently is very important to most people, including people who are blind, deafblind and vision-impaired. Often people with little or no vision need to use new skills and equipment provided through the RNZFB's Orientation and Mobility service.
What is orientation and mobility?
Orientation and mobility is being able to walk safely or travel independently according to the goals you have set for yourself. The role of an Orientation and Mobility Instructor is to teach skills that enable a person to achieve personal mobility goals. With the use of mobility aids such as canes, and instruction in the use of remaining senses, blind, deafblind and vision-impaired people can learn how to:
- Gain awareness of their environment
- Negotiate obstacles
- Make safe road crossing decisions
- Use public transport.
What do Orientation and Mobility Instructors do?
The Instructors assess mobility requirements and then devise a programme to enable an individual to meet their mobility goals. An Orientation and Mobility programme may include:
- Sighted guide - a blind, deafblind or vision-impaired person is guided through environments by a sighted person in a safe manner
- Cane instruction - the most appropriate type of cane is assessed and instruction given in its use so that the person can gain information from the environment
- Use of remaining senses – the use of remaining vision and other senses, for example hearing, so that the person can gain knowledge of what is happening in their environment, where they are and how to safely get to their destination
- Specific safety techniques - a blind, deafblind or vision-impaired person learns techniques to enhance safety and confidence, for example at road crossings or when using an escalator.
Orientation and Mobility Instructors also work with local councils, district health boards and other organisations to advocate for safer, more accessible environments for blind, deafblind and vision-impaired people.
To find out more, please contact your local Orientation and Mobility Instructor by phoning 0800 24 33 33 or email: oandm. If you are emailing don't forget to let us know where in New Zealand you are.