Mobility and independence affects the whole life of a person with a visual impairment. The Education Mobility Service are here to develop good levels of mobility and independence skills.
What is Mobility?
What is taught
- Body awareness - developing an understanding of body parts and how the body moves
- Listening skills - learning how to listen and what to listen for
- Orientation - knowing where they are at any given point and how to get to where they want to be, including how to follow directions
- Maximizing vision - how to make the most of residual vision, including use of low vision aids
- Basic personal safety - including name address etc, what to do if lost and seeking help. How to avoid getting into difficulties when alone
- Road safety - from simple rules to complex crossings, the level achieved depends very much on age and ability of each individual
- Self help - beginning with independent dressing and feeding skills and culminating in basic food preparation skills,
- Social and life skills including dealing with the general public
- Independent travel -may range from 10 metres to 10 miles and may include learning cane skills before proceeding to specific routes. These routes could be in school, between home and school, to and from work experience or for leisure purposes