What’s in a Definition? Reflections on the Scope of Orientation and Mobility

O&M specialists are routinely asked questions such as “Do you know sign language?” or, because they work with a person who is blind, “What is that stick the student carries around?” The lack of awareness of O&M outside of the field of visual impairment continues to be alarming and directly relates to other challenges including personnel shortages, transportation issues, and problems with third-party reimbursements. In December 2016, the Ad Hoc Committee on Scope of Practice was formed and met via conference call to determine the purpose of the document and its intended audience. Because a detailed scope of practice did not exist in the field of visual impairment, we reviewed scope of practice papers in related professions, which assisted us in determining the general writing style, voice, content, and organization of the document. The goal was to depict the current content knowledge and responsibilities of O&M specialists. [...]only established practices in the field were identified, and no fringe skills or strategies were included.