In 2015, the Institute of Typhlology run by the Polish Association of the Blind carried out a successful project “An Orientation and Mobility Instructor - Safe and Independent Mobility for a Visually Impaired Person.” The aim of the project was to train sixteen orientation and mobility instructors. The choice of trainees focused on the areas of Poland where the number of instructors is insufficient.
The curriculum included 299 teaching hours both theoretical and practical. Theoretical classes and group activities were organised in Warsaw. These classes were performed by experts in pedagogy, psychology, interpersonal communication, vision therapy, ophthalmology, audiology, diabetics, rehabilitation of blind and partially sighted people and also in orientation and mobility. Participants received didactic materials related to the training program. The course finished with a theoretical and practical exam passed by all participants.
After the exam session, training participants started their individual practical activities supervised by qualified mentors who conduct orientation and mobility classes. In the latter phase, training participants conducted their own classes that had to be accompanied with a lesson plan and they also had to prepare a final report.
After the course, training participants received the necessary tools for orientation and mobility (white canes, various tips, publications and a certificate confirming their skills as an orientation and mobility instructor.)
A similar training session to this was organised seven years ago. We are of the opinion that, throughout the years, we have established a well-prepared program to train professional orientation and mobility instructors.
Elżbieta Oleksiak, The Rehabilitation Department at the Institute of Tyflology run by the Polish Association of the Blind