FamilyConnect’s Latest Article Series: Orientation and Mobility for Blind and Visually Impaired Babies, Preschoolers, Grade Schoolers, and Teenagers

If your child is blind or visually impaired, your child’s education (from birth through the completion of high school) should include more than the core curriculum. It should include the expanded core curriculum, which provides your child with the skills needed to not only access the core curriculum but also to live a satisfying life now and as an adult.

One of the nine skills that comprise the expanded core curriculum is Orientation and Mobility (O&M). O&M skills, techniques, and use of tools enable people who are blind or visually impaired to orient to surroundings and to move safely and efficiently within the environment, including the home, school, workplace, and community.

Mastery of O&M is a proven predictor of employment for people with visual impairments but obtaining O&M skills is so much more—it opens up the world to visually impaired persons. Now, one can dance with exuberance, walk or move about with confidence, explore a garden, partake in fitness, enjoy a team sport, travel for leisure, and generally access that which is meaningful.

When one’s orientation and mobility is unhindered, one can go enjoy the world.

Article Series: Orientation and Mobility

To help family members understand what O&M includes for each age group, how O&M specialists approach instruction, and how parents/family members can support instruction at home, AFB FamilyConnect is providing you with our latest article series:

• Orientation and Mobility for Blind Babies and Toddlers
• Orientation and Mobility for Blind Preschoolers
• Orientation and Mobility for Blind Grade Schoolers
• Orientation and Mobility for Blind Teenagers

Our hope is that you, family members, utilize the information to encourage movement, promote interdependent travel skills, and instill high expectations of your child with a visual impairment.