Orientation and Mobility

What is Orientation and Mobility?

Living with low vision can make it challenging to navigate your surroundings. When adjusting to life with sight loss, tasks like crossing the street or finding a specific location can become a lot more difficult.

Orientation and Mobility training is a set of skills and techniques that allow people with visual impairments to navigate their way around their environment safely and with confidence.

Orientation refers to an awareness of your environment and where you are positioned in relation to your surroundings.

Mobility is the ability to move around safely in your environment.

The training is led by Orientation and Mobility specialists who will talk to you about your goals and what you want to achieve. Tailored to your specific needs and level of functional vision, they will teach you techniques and skills that will help you to achieve your goals and travel safely in your home, workplace, and community. They may also teach you how to use mobility aids like a long cane to help you get around.

Whether you have had low vision for a long period of time, you’ve just had a sudden change in your vision, or you’re experiencing a gradual change in vision, you may benefit from receiving Orientation and Mobility training.

What skills can I learn from Orientation and Mobility training?

Some of the skills, strategies, and techniques that you can learn from Orientation and Mobility training include:

• Navigating your home, workplace, and community safely
• Confidently finding your way in different environments, whether they are new or familiar to you
• Techniques for using a sighted guide
• Safely crossing roads
• Navigating public transport
• Utilising mobility aids, such as long canes or electronic travel aids, that can help to increase your mobility
• Protective techniques to protect your body and head from hazards

How can I receive Orientation and Mobility support?

At Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, we offer Orientation and Mobility training for people of all ages and levels of vision. If you’ve had low vision for a long period of time, you can also use Orientation and Mobility training to refresh your skill and to learn new techniques and strategies. An Orientation and Mobility Specialist can meet you wherever works best for you, whether it’s at home, in your neighbourhood, or over the phone.

Guide Dogs is a registered NDIS and Aged Care provider, so if you need Orientation and Mobility training, you can access this through your NDIS plan or Home Care package. To find out more about funding options, see our guide to low vision services and funding here.

For more information

• Find out more about Orientation and Mobility
• Always speak to your GP and eyecare professional about the best treatment options for you