In a school setting, the orientation and mobility specialist serves students on a priority basis. Totally blind students need the specialized services of mobility specialists most. These students demand the greatest amount of time, the widest diversity of tools and techniques.

After all blind students are being served, the mobility specialist works with severely visually impaired children. These are kids who have such poor vision that they get confused where they are, they misinterpret visual information, and therefore are in danger of injury to themselves or others.

If a school district has few blind or severely visually impaired students (or if they have enough mobility specialists), the needs of students with less severe visual problems can be served. Mobility specialists can also serve the needs of students with other forms of disorders besides vision impairment. Many children in special education have navigational disabilities. The curriculum used to teach blind children is easily adapted to serve the needs of these students.

To teach mobility

Orientation and mobility specialists teach blind children to move through the world without getting hurt, without hurting others, and without taking out the crystal wine glasses at Hudsons. The term "mobility" refers to the techniques and devices that are used to keep blind and visually impaired students safe while they are moving. Successful mobility also implies that the blind traveler is efficient, as well as safe; ie. does not go too slowly or inappropriately fast.

To teach orientation

To be oriented means to know where you are in space and, therefore, how to get from one place to another without getting lost. A good understanding of spatial concepts is essential. Good orientation also involves using the intact senses to identify landmarks. Blind children need to learn design layouts (bathrooms have one layout, kitchens another) as well as learn specific routes.

To reduce stress

Movement through space without the use of vision can be very stressful. It is the responsibility of the mobility specialist to design lessons to minimize anxiety, and to teach strategies for reducing or managing stress while traveling.

To be a role model

Mobility specialists often work with school age blind children for all of a student's public school experience, and for most of the instructor's career. The mobility teacher is therefore a primary role model in the blind students life. The mobility specialist's attitude and character are extremely important.

To keep our students in perspective and give them the respect they desire

The following was placed on the mobility listserve by Andrea Story. Andrea is a mobility specialist working with the birth to three population of blind and visually impaired children in Alaska.

The differences are obvious:
We like things; they fixate on objects
We try to make friends; they display attention-seeking behaviors
We love people; they develop dependencies
We take a break; they go off task
We have hobbies; they self-stim
We persevere; they perseverate
We insist; they tantrum

It's too easy to make negative judgements that become self-fulfilling prophesies. Labeling has value, mostly for administrative (financial) reasons, and for communicating, but labels also mask personalities and allow us to take the shallow view. The hard part is bringing all the poetry you have to the moment, connecting with another human being, and trying to radiate nurturing, healing, growth inducing energy (mixed liberally with knowledge and experience).

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