Five Orientation and Mobility (O&M) Skills to “Pack” for College Life

It’s here again –summer! Many students are excitedly anticipating and planning for the possibilities that the next couple of months may hold. Freedom from the usual routine and deadlines. A break from learning and review…right? If you’re a recent high school graduate, you may want to consider working a little (or a lot) of instruction and/or review time into your summer schedule. I’m not talking about Calculus or Shakespearean literary devices, but this article discusses an important part of your learned skill set – Orientation and Mobility.

More Information on Orientation and Mobility (O&M)

For basic information on what orientation and mobility training offers to individuals with blind or low vision. If you’re already pretty familiar with the basic tenants of the O&M world, read on, friend!

Five O&M Skills to “Pack” for College Life

Whether you are staying local or packing up all your things to move across the country, you will almost certainly find yourself in locations that you have never been before. Here are five basic skills that are essential to influential community travel and will hopefully help secure confidence in your growing abilities and independence!

Cane Skills

Do you need a cane? Would you benefit from using one, even some of the time?
Long cane or support cane? Folding cane or rigid cane? Colored or white? You have options!
Are you fluent in different cane techniques and when it’s most helpful to employ them? Constant contact, two-point touch, three-point touch, flagging…Learn what’s what and how to switch back and forth as needed.
Do you know how to navigate a sticky joint in a folding cane or where to go to order replacements as needed?

Street Crossing & Intersection Analysis

Can you identify that you’re at or near an intersection? Large, busy intersections are usually easier to locate, but what about smaller, less-traveled intersections & driveways?
Are you skilled in deciding when is it safe to cross? Don’t rely on your bestie or boo to give you the run-down. You must learn how to analyze traffic patterns and make crossing decisions with a trained professional!

Public and Paratransit Use 

City or campus bus system – how do you use it to your advantage without getting lost across town?
Taxi, Uber, Lyft, or friend – what are the nuances, safety considerations, etiquette & procedures for use?
Maybe you’re moving to a larger city with a subway, El train, or trolley, which is new to you. You don’t know what you don’t know…an O&M Specialist can be an invaluable tool in helping you figure out and navigate these new transport systems! See below for help finding a local specialist in your new city.

Mental Mapping

Can you determine effective landmarks and exits in new rooms and buildings and remember where they are in the space as you travel to other areas?
Determining effective landmarks and features of outdoor routes and spaces is also important! Can you reverse how you just traveled to reach your original starting point?
What if you need to take a detour? How do you proceed and then get back on track to your intended destination?

Asking for Help

Everyone needs help sometimes. Can you identify strategic or necessary times to request assistance, maybe even just for the sake of time?
How to locate and approach a potential helper on the fly. Getting someone’s attention and/or communicating how they might help you may be something to practice a few times before you’re truly “flying solo.”
Human Guide Technique – what is it, how do you do it, & how do you quickly train people to use the technique with you?
Technology – stand-alone devices or an app on your cell phone? You might have a helper in your pocket. Do you know how to take advantage of travel tools?

Whether you are a recent graduate or a younger teen being proactive about growing independence, these five skills are solid additions to your proverbial “tool belt.” You won’t regret polishing them off this summer (or even finding them in the first place) – not just to prepare for your fall endeavors, but also to give you the experience and confidence to travel freely about whatever community or situation you may find yourself in the future. Go explore!