Orientation and Mobility 12
Orientation and Mobility 12 builds on skills acquired in Orientation and Mobility 11. It is designed for students who have low vision or who are blind and who require instruction in O & M skills and techniques to achieve the highest level of Independent School travel that is possible given the student’s individual capacity. The Orientation and Mobility Teacher and the student will determine which strategies would be most appropriate for the given student.
Orientation and Mobility, often referred to as O & M, refers to age-appropriate and ongoing instruction in the skills, techniques and knowledge required for individuals who are visually impaired to travel safely, efficiently, gracefully and with as much independence as possible in a variety of environments. "Orientation" refers to the ability to know where you are and where you want to go, whether you're moving from one room to another or walking downtown for a shopping trip.
• Mobility/Identification canes techniques and knowledge of when to use each are important for Independent School travel in commercial environments • Information from our senses support movement and exploration of objects in commercial environments • Representation of travel environments and the spatial relationships therein is an essential skill • Development of travel techniques is an ongoing process and increasing in complexity in commercial environments
Recommended Instructional Components: The teacher will design instructional strategies that: • acknowledge the social nature of learning; • embed formative assessment practices such as learning intentions, criteria, questions, descriptive feedback, self and peer-assessment; • provide opportunities for students to share learning and reflect; • utilize technologies and other tools in purposeful ways