ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY
Contact: Orientation and Mobility Specialists
Cheri DeLyria, MA, COMS
(360)696-6321 ext. 191
Judy Koch-Smith, MA, COMS
(360)696-6321 ext. 192
Doug Trimble, MA, COMS
(360)696-6321 ext. 118
O&M classes are provided on an individual basis to students by credentialed Orientation and Mobility Specialists, to learn independent travel skills, based on each persons needs and abilities. This includes proper use of the long cane when appropriate for mobility, and concept development and spatial awareness for orientation purposes.
Students are assessed and evaluated using the Texas School for the Blind TAPS curriculum and assessment, and other instruments as needed. Low vision devices are incorporated into a student’s program as appropriate.
Students learn to travel around the WSSB campus for needed routes to classes and activities. Those who are cognitively able learn age-appropriate travel skills off campus to various locations in the greater Vancouver and Portland area. All students receive the opportunity to learn rote routes in the vicinity of the school to the best of their ability.
Off campus lessons include basic and advanced residential travel skills, including crossing streets independently; business area travel skills, including bus travel; rural area travel as appropriate to a particular student; and major metropolitan travel in a downtown setting. O&M night evaluations and lessons are provided to partially sighted students when age appropriate.
Safety and awareness of one’s surroundings is also emphasized. Students may earn Walking Papers, or permission to travel independently after school hours to local businesses and community activities. They do this by demonstrating competency as a skilled, independent traveler, who can problem solve and remain safe and oriented without instructor assistance. Students are encouraged to travel with friends, or in a small group, for off-campus activities. They may also earn night travel papers when they are old enough to go off-campus unsupervised after dark.
Students with multiple disabilities receive instruction for concept development and independent campus travel, and off campus travel as appropriate to their needs. Some students are introduced to alternative mobility devices when needed to teach them safe, independent travel at school. When possible these students are transitioned to a long cane, or adapted long cane, as their ability permits.
O&M staff are active in the AERBVI professional organization, and work with city and county officials in both an advisory capacity, and to enhance the safety of all pedestrians.