About the Program

The discipline of orientation and mobility (O&M) teaches people with visual impairments to orient themselves and travel safely with confidence. Participants in our O&M program learn to evaluate needs and to teach the use of equipment such as the long cane and low vision aids, as well as the integration of a professionally trained dog guide.

Students learn how to teach travel skills in a variety of environments, including indoor, residential, business, rural, and urban areas. The curriculum addresses the art of teaching such skills across the lifespan to both children and adults, as well as those with additional disabilities.

The O&M certification program leads to specialized work with people who are blind or visually impaired. Candidates for the certificate proceed through a sequence of course work, field-based experiences, and practica to fulfill eligibility requirements as prescribed by the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AERBVI) and the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP). The total credits required for certification will vary depending on the candidate’s background in related course work.