Overview

Orientation and mobility (O&M) specialists help people with visual impairments learn to travel independently. These dedicated professionals work with infants, children, and adults who have visual impairments to help them adapt to and navigate through their environment using their remaining senses.

Someone who is blind or has low vision faces significant safety challenges traveling through our busy, crowded, mostly sighted society. O&M specialists help people with visual impairments learn to “read” their environment, determine where they are in the environment (orientation), and plan routes through the environment using any residual vision they may have and other sensory cues.

They also train their students or clients to use assistive devices, such as handheld telescopes, white canes, service animals, or GPS systems. They provide their students or clients with knowledge of basic concepts (up, down, under, beside, etc.), and the skills to map routes, navigate crowds, interpret sensory landmarks (textures, sounds and smells), and solicit aid when needed.

The O&M specialist’s goal is to enable the individual with visual impairment to move confidently and safely through unfamiliar areas and use public transit, thereby enabling the person to travel as independently as possible.

In addition to working directly with individuals, O&M specialists help organizations and governments make environments safer for and more accommodating to people with visual impairments. For example, they recommend ways make street crossings safer, help parents and teachers meet the environmental access needs of children with visual impairments, and design public transportation solutions to better meet the needs of travelers with visual impairments.

Note: If you are interested in working with people who have visual impairments, there are many other careers in the broad category of teacher of the visually impaired (TVI), vocational rehabilitation counselor (VRC), certified low vision therapist (CLVT), certified vocational rehabilitation therapist (CVRT) or rehabilitation teacher. More information can be found at AFB CareerConnect®, a free resource for people who want to learn about the range and diversity of jobs performed by adults who are blind or visually impaired throughout the United States and Canada.

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Orientation and Mobility Specialist 14 Sep 2009 [pdf, 202 KB]

Working Conditions

O&M specialists work in schools, public and private rehabilitation centers, veterans’ centers, and other facilities that serve children and adults with visual impairments. They are also employed by and work as consultants to educational systems, government agencies and organizations.

Working directly with students and clients who have visual impairments can be challenging, but highly rewarding. The O&M specialist must be able to manage the individual’s expectations, and respond appropriately to setbacks, frustrations, stress and emotional outbursts. Some physical strength is required to walk with the individual, go up and down stairs, and navigate public transportation. It is also critical to ensure the student’s or client’s safety.

Salary Range

Orientation and mobility specialists typically earn between $49,454 and $61,101.