Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Orientation and Mobility

An introductory course to provide a comprehensive, life-span overview of the field of visual impairments. It examines legal, demographic, historical and psychosocial perspectives as well as the various services and programs available. Through demonstrations, simulations and practical experiences, students will also be exposed to a variety of current adaptive skills, techniques and devices used by persons with visual impairments.

The purpose of this course is to teach candidates preparing to be teachers of blind students (both adults and children) to read and write literary braille and to interline and proofread students’ work quickly and accurately.  Course examinations address the history of tactile codes, contracted and uncontracted braille, braille transcription and translation, as well as the technologies, techniques and tools of reading and writing braille.

This course is an overview of the anatomy, physiology and pathologies of the human eye as related to visual development and visual functioning. Topics related to functional visual assessments, clinical report interpretations, educational and environmental modifications, intervention strategies, optic systems and the utilization of low vision devices are also presented. Simulated low-vision practical experiences are an integral part of the instruction.

Neurological visual impairment (NVI) is a common cause of blindness among young children. Rather than a disease of the ocular system, it is a pathology of the pathways in the brain that impedes the interpretation of visual stimuli. This course provides information on the causes, characteristics and interventions associated with NVI. 

This course explores the typical and atypical development of human sensory and motor systems along with their relationship to concept development, movement, orientation and mobility. Course topics include sensory and motor assessment procedures, methods for integrating sensory and motor skills and ways of providing multi-sensory experiences that will enhance travel concepts and abilities. An additional one-credit laboratory hour may be taken for students required to learn the compensatory travel skills necessary for indoor travel of blind children.

This course is an advanced practicum designed to provide the orientation and mobility specialist candidate with observational and practical experience of travel skills and techniques used by persons with visual impairments. In this course, students participate in travel experiences in a variety of indoor and outdoor environments and become familiar with the processes, skills and techniques necessary for safe, independent travel without vision.  In addition to the blindfold experiences, students practice the application and teaching of these processes, skills, and techniques, as well as examine theories of advanced orientation and mobility instruction. This course is individually scheduled with each student or student grouping, with each student participating in a minimum of 95 direct teaching contact hours with the course instructor.

This course is a continuation of EDEC 5606, which provides advanced orientation and mobility training as well as specific methods of developing and adapting individualized orientation and mobility assessments, program plans and service delivery within a variety of instructional environments.

This course addresses the special travel needs and difficulties of low-vision, geriatric, deaf or blind, multi-handicapped and physically impaired individuals. Special topics are also provided for rural and urban travel, as well as possible cultural and linguistic influences on evaluations and training.

Learners explore psychosocial factors affecting the adjustment process to visual impairment across the life span and study issues related to adjustment, including demographics, life stage, type of visual impairment, personality, self-concept, social support network and the grieving process. Learners also explore the impact of cultural and societal attitudes and diversity, as well as stereotypes of blindness and visual impairment, on adjustment. They will also be introduced to effective relationship-building and communication skill strategies. An overview of the range of psychosocial interventions is provided, including resources for referrals. 

The supervised practicum bridges the gap between theoretical aspects of the Orientation and Mobility specialty courses and the realities of instructing in educational and rehabilitation environments. Students develop and demonstrate competencies in assessing, instructional planning, developing curriculum materials, instructional presentation and evaluation of the learning process for persons with visual impairments. Regular conferences are held with students, cooperating agencies and university supervisors.