Orientation & Mobility
Getting People Out the Door Again
What is Orientation & Mobility?
O&M training can involve the development of safe road crossing skills
Orientation refers to our understanding of where we are in the environment. We use our senses to gather information from around us and combine this with our knowledge of where we have come from and where we plan to go. Mobility relates to our ability to move safely and confidently through the environment.
Our Orientation and Mobility (O&M) service equips people who are vision impaired to move safely, fluently and independently in the environments through which they wish to travel.
Who Can Benefit?
Anyone who has a vision impairment and has experienced the following challenges may benefit from Orientation and Mobility training at Guide Dogs Victoria:
- colliding with obstacles or people
- experiencing problems walking on different surfaces or going up or down stairs
- becoming disoriented in brightly lit or poorly lit areas
- feeling uncertain when crossing roads
- lacking confidence using public transport
Individuals may have recently experienced a loss or reduction of vision. Alternatively, they may have been vision impaired for some time and want assistance to achieve new goals such as going to university or a different workplace.
Assessment & Training
In most cases an assessment will be conducted around the client’s home. Programs are then individually tailored to meet the client’s needs, ranging from one session to several weeks of training.
A program may focus on one of the following areas but will usually combine multiple aspects:
- Training to encourage the use of any residual vision and other senses to their optimum level
- learning to get from A to B independently in the safest and most effective way.
- Enhancing mobility by use of a cane
- Use of electronic aids such as the Miniguide as a secondary means of assistance
- Training to enhance the use of residual vision and appropriate listening skills to make safe road crossing decisions.
- Learning a specific route or a global set of skills to independently navigate Melbourne’s public transport system.
Pre-Guide Dog Training
If Guide Dog mobility is a long term goal, clients may first need Orientation & Mobility training to become safe and independent travellers.
At the end of each program, objectives are reviewed and where necessary, recommendations made for subsequent O&M training or follow-up.
Where Does Training Take Place?
Individually tailored Orientation and Mobility programs are offered at our Centre for Mobility Assessment and Training in Kew or in the client's home. Programs may range in length from one to several days. Where appropriate, training is conducted in conjunction with family members and associated rehabilitation professionals.
How Do I Become an Orientation and Mobility Instructor?
Latrobe University in conjunction with Guide Dogs Victoria offer the following Post Graduate course. Click here for more information.
For Further Information Contact:
For a free assessment and confidential consultation at our Centre for Mobility Assessment & Training:
Phone: (03) 9854 4444
Email: referrals@guidedogsvictoria.com.au
Private Bag 13
Chandler Highway
Kew Victoria 3101
All enquiries from health professionals, family members and individuals are welcome.
