Goals are best case scenarios. They have motivational value, but are difficult to measure. The mobility specialist works to accomplish two major goals:

Independence is the major goal. It exists on many levels at once.

Spatial Independence: in the bathroom, in a restaurant, on public transportation, at the grocery store, etc. ie. independence within particular spatial layouts

Movement independence: from having to be led from place to place; self-initiated movement through the use of cane travel, use of a dog guide, or with electronic travel technology

Personal independence: from adults (parents, teachers, grandparents, etc.), from ones classmates, friends, and well meaning strangers; doing things for and by oneself

Temporal independence: for a day, an hour, for ten minutes; working toward increasing the amount of time successfully traveling through the world without assistance

Team independence: a group of kids can be independent even when individual students are not. Blind children can (and should) learn from each other. Independent behaviors can be learned first in a group and later developed personally.

Navigational independence: this is a higher level of accomplishment related to spatial independence. It is the ability to travel unfamiliar routes and to move about in unfamiliar layouts. Navigational independence happens after there is an integration of skills coming from years of practice and education.

The second major goal of the orientation and mobility specialist is improved quality of life for blind students. Severely visually impaired and blind children will not develop independence during the normal course of their lives unless parents and educators intercede. Early, vigorous, long range intervention is vital. Failure to combat dependency eventually places a financial and emotional burden on the society and drastically reduces the quality of life for individuals. Blind children (those who do not have severe secondary impairments) should be encouraged and expected to become as functional and successful as any sighted member of society.

If a blind student can accomplish all outcomes required for graduation, if he or she is a competent traveler, then the goals of independence and quality of life will be met. Personality, native abilities, and luck will be the final ingredients that determine the accomplishment of the goals.

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