Orientation and Mobility Instructor
Orientation and mobility instructors teach vision-impaired people to move around their environment safely and with confidence. They work on a one-to-one basis.
Orientation and mobility instructors perform the following tasks:
- teach people who have vision loss to use their remaining eyesight and their other senses (sound, touch, smell and the sensation of body movement) to detect landmarks and reference points and work out where they are
- instruct in the use of a variety of mobility aids such as canes, which give information to users about the surface over which they are about to walk
- teach clients to use electronic travel devices together with the canes (these devices give off vibrating or audible signals when obstacles are ahead)
- work with parents of young children and infants who are blind or vision-impaired to encourage the development of skills and concepts related to their bodies, their environment and the wider community
- consult with other professions, groups or individuals
- work as part of a team of specialists, which might include occupational therapists, diversional therapists, physiotherapists, optometrists, orthoptists, doctors or teachers, to provide a range of services for people who are blind or have low vision.
Instructors may work with clients in their homes or in training centres, hospitals, schools or places of employment.
Personal Requirements:
- good physical health and vision
- a desire to work with people with disabilities
- observant, patient and reliable
- strong communication skills.
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