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The Evolution of Orientation and Mobility: Professional Development and Educational Standards

This chapter explores the history and advancements in the field of Orientation and Mobility (O&M) from early developments in the 1950s to current education standards. Highlighting key conferences such as the Gloucester Conference and federal initiatives to establish university programs, the text discusses the increasing demand for trained O&M specialists. It also addresses the shift to distance education, the establishment of professional associations, and the development of agency standards for certification. Insights into future challenges like licensure and reimbursement illustrate the profession's ongoing evolution.

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The Evolution of Orientation and Mobility: Professional Development and Educational Standards

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  1. Chapter 14 History and Progression of the Profession of Orientation & Mobility

  2. Early Professional Devlopments • Gloucester Conference (1953) - - Father Thomas Carroll – discussed the need for trained personnel outside the VA • U.S. Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (1958) – identified education of O&M specialists as 2nd highest priority in field of VI. • National Conference on O&M (1959) • identified 3 main needs: • Selection of O&M personnel • Length of preparation – one year graduate study • Curriculum • Techniques and practice of O&M • Dynamics of human behavior as it relates to blindness • Functions of the human body • Study of the senses • Cultural and psychological implications of blindness

  3. Development of University Programs • Federal grants provided funding for the first University O&M programs • Boston College (1960) • Western Michigan (1961) • 1962 – VRA awarded 30 grants in 22 states. Paid salaries of O&M’s in the field from these two programs. • 1966 – Demand for university trained O&M’s was so high, another conference was held. More grants awarded. • SFA (1972) • Currently 21 programs in the world (19 in USA, 1 in Canada, 1 in NZ)

  4. The Shift to Distance Education • Done, simply, because: • It’s more cost-effective • It puts more people in the field in a shorter amount of time • Is it effective? • Time has proven that the individual, not the service delivery model, is the determining factor in educational effectiveness.

  5. Professional Associations • AAWB : 1895-1984 • Division IX (O&M interest group) 1964 • AAIB : 1871-1968 • AEVH : 1968-1984 • AER : 1984 –

  6. Development of Agency Standards • COMSTAC report – (Commission on Standards and Accreditation of Services for the Blind – 1966). • Recommended: • formulation of standards for agency administration and service programs • An organization to administer a nationwide system of voluntary accreditation based on these standards • Led to certification of O&M specialists • NAC – National Accreditation Council was created • Recommended to agencies seeking accreditation employ certified O&M specialists.

  7. Code of Ethics • Appendix A of Foundations, Volume 1 contains the current code of ethics

  8. Standardization of Preparation and Certification • University Program review (National/international) • Functional Abilities Assessment (No longer used) • Included: • Corrected vision of 20/20 in each eye with no field restrictions or evidence of a progressive loss (later changed to 20/40 to reflect drivers license standards) • Good physical health • Ability to monitor a student up to 375 feet away (Now 6-20 feet) • Assessing various travel situation that included scanning and perceiving an environmental configuration of no less than 300 degrees within 3 seconds • Tracking and describing traffic in a lighted intersection during typical rush-hour traffic • ACVREP (2000) • Exam • Certification • Re-certification • NOMC/NBPCB

  9. Issues • OMA’s – teaching O&M to individuals without visual impairments • Visual occlusion during O&M instruction • Instruction for street crossings at signalized intersections • Group or individual lessons

  10. Future Issues • Licensure and state certification • Third-party reimbursement (federal and state insurance plans) • Medicare reimbursement

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