Orientation & Mobility

Mobility is one of the most significant challenges for persons with a visual impairment. At FSDB, six trained, certified, and experienced Orientation & Mobility (O&M) practitioners assist students to overcome mobility challenges. They teach and reinforce concepts, skills, and techniques which prepare students to be confident, knowledgeable, and safe. Fostering independence, FSDB expects students to develop the skills to become self-advocates and life-long learners.

Students receive O&M services in accordance with their individualized education plan (IEP), developed through a team process. With the student in mind, O&M staff serve students based on individual student need with the focus on

  • Meeting potential skill level in areas of independence.
  • Increasing student understanding of the world.
  • Improving student ability to function and interact in their environment.

The scope and sequence of O&M services is student-centered and varies depending on individual performance levels, identified needs, and age-level expectations. Services may include, but are not limited to teaching the following:

  • Travel skills and techniques (for example, sighted guide, use of a cane or mobility device, posture and gait, safe movement).
  • Concept development (for example, vision, auditory, touch, proprioceptive or kinesthetic, vestibular, olfactory).
  • Safety issues.
  • Use of low-vision aids (for example, glasses, telescopes, magnifiers)
  • Use of available vision.
  • Use of community resources.
  • Orientation and mapping (for example, orient to environment, interpret maps, travel to desired destination).
  • Communication (appropriate interactions with the public).
  • Self-advocacy.
  • Other mobility and daily-living related skills useful both now and beyond FSDB.

For more information about the O&M Program at FSDB, please contact James Crozier at 904 827-2653.