Families
Helping people with vision impairment to move safely and independently through any environment is usually known as 'orientation and mobility'.
Orientation and mobility training generally begins as soon as possible.
Preschool children learn how to:
- Travel around their school building and playground.
Primary school children learn more complex concepts like:
- Topography and textures
- Positions (eg in front of, at the back of)
Secondary school students learn how to:
- Cross streets at busy intersections
- Ride buses
- Use compass directions
- Plan a route of travel
- Shop and travel independently in unfamiliar areas.
There is a range of ways that people with vision impairment can travel safely, including:
- A sighted guide
- A cane, or for young children, a pushable mobility device, usually on rollers or casters
- A Guide Dog
- An electronic travel aid (ETA), which uses ultrasound or infrared light to detect when a physical object comes near.
