Background: This study extended the assessment of a technology-aided orientation program with auditory cues by including 2 participants with multiple disabilities who had difficulties in indoor travel and showed travel-related anxiety behaviours (e.g., calling for help and whimpering). Method: The study was carried out according to a multiple…

This study was an effort to extend the evaluation of orientation technology for promoting independent indoor traveling in persons with multiple disabilities. Two participants (adults) were included, who were to travel to activity destinations within occupational settings. The orientation system involved (a) cueing sources only at the destinations…

These two studies assessed adapted orientation technology for promoting correct direction and room identification during indoor traveling by persons with multiple (e.g., sensory, motor and intellectual/adaptive) disabilities. In Study I, two adults were included who had severe visual impairment or total blindness and deafness and used a wheelchair…

Use of the Sonicguide, a binaural sensory aid, by a quadraplegic, totally blind 18-year-old student is described. The rationale for training, device adaptations, and the eventual use of the device as a primary mobility aid in areas familiar to the student are explained. (Author/MC)

This report was released by the National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER) on January 23, 2008. Orientation refers to one's ability to determine his/her location and relationship with other objects in the environment. Mobility refers to one's ability to move about in the environment. Orientation and mobility training may be provided to…

The article describes adaptive techniques used to evaluate and teach mobility to the physically handicapped blind individual, with emphasis on users of wheelchairs and walkers. The use of electronic travel aids is discussed, and a system is designed by the authors to mount the Mowat Sensor to a walker is described. (Author/CL)

An orientation and mobility curriculum for multiply handicapped deaf students incorporates instruction in environmental awareness concepts, orientation reference systems, route planning, and auditory training. Instruction frequently includes a solo travel experience. The roles of the classroom teacher and of the mobility instructor are noted. (CL)

Described are the steps involved in revising the Peabody Mobility Scale (PMS), an instrument for assessing the orientation and mobility skills of multiply handicapped blind children. Among the revision procedures discussed are a redefinition of item content for mobility and prerequisite skills, and alteration of the format to that of an easily…

Described are the development and field testing of programed instruction in orientation and mobility for 41 multiply handicapped blind students. Based on initial assessment on the Peabody Mobility Scale, it is explained that the students were prescribed individualized tasks in the areas of motor development, sensory skills, concept development and…

The programed instruction was validated with 40 multiply impaired blind children in nine facilities in a 16-week field test. The experimental group using the programed instructional materials demonstrated significant overall performance gains over a control group. (Author/DLS)

This study assessed the possibility of guiding a person with blindness and intellectual disability during indoor travel with fewer auditory cues. Results indicated that infrequent presentation of the cues and the provision of extra cues in case of errors maintained high levels of independent moves, albeit of increased duration. (Author/CR)