Orientation and Mobility Evaluations
Orientation and Mobility (O&M) Evaluations are essential for understanding how a student who is blind or visually impaired navigates their environment. These evaluations determine whether a student needs specialized instruction to support safe, confident, and independent travel skills both at school and in the community.
In-Person Evaluations by a
Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist
All O&M evaluations are conducted in person by a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS) who travels directly to the student’s school. Our specialists are nationally certified through ACVREP, background checked, and experienced in school-based evaluations. Each evaluation includes direct observation and testing on site, staff interviews, and a comprehensive written report with individualized recommendations.
Who Qualifies for O&M Services
O&M is a special education related service, just like physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech. To qualify for O&M services, a student must be eligible under the disability category of visually impaired as defined by special education guidelines.
Any student with a visual impairment who has voluntary movement can benefit from an O&M evaluation. This includes students who use wheelchairs and those with multiple disabilities. Even if a student may never travel completely independently, they can still gain valuable skills such as body awareness, spatial understanding, and positional concepts. These foundational skills help improve orientation, access to items in their near environment, and overall quality of life.
An O&M evaluation can be conducted at the same time as the initial Functional Vision and Learning Media Assessment, especially when concerns about safety or travel skills are noted before the parent signs consent for testing. It can also be added later if concerns develop during or after the vision assessment and eligibility process.
Some states, such as Texas, require both vision and O&M evaluations to be completed together as part of the initial eligibility process for any child suspected of having a visual impairment, whether or not travel concerns are present.
When to Consider an O&M Evaluation
O&M evaluations are appropriate for any student with a visual impairment who demonstrates challenges with:
- Body awareness or spatial understanding
- Positional concepts such as left, right, near, and far
- Moving safely and efficiently within the school or community
- Traveling independently across various school settings
- Navigating unfamiliar or complex environments
An evaluation is also strongly recommended for:
- Students who are new to your district and have not yet been evaluated for O&M needs
- Students who are blind or have low vision but have never received O&M services
- Students with low vision who are pursuing a driver’s license
- Students with progressive vision loss or whose travel needs may change over time
Students with Progressive Vision Loss
Some students may appear to function well during the school day but still require O&M support due to the progressive nature of their visual impairment. This includes students with conditions such as:
- Retinitis Pigmentosa
- Usher’s Syndrome
- Glaucoma
- Cone Rod Dystrophy and other degenerative eye conditions
These students may experience night blindness, difficulty in low-light settings, and narrowing visual fields. An O&M evaluation allows for early instruction and planning so the student can build critical travel skills and confidence before safety becomes a concern.
What the Evaluation Involves
When visiting a school, the COMS will:
- Observe the student in various locations such as classrooms, hallways, the cafeteria, stairs, and outdoor spaces
- Evaluate the student’s orientation and mobility skills in real-life settings
- Assess understanding of body concepts, spatial awareness, and directional terms
- Review records and interview staff and family, when appropriate (this can also be done before or after the trip)
- Identify barriers to safe and independent travel
After the visit, the COMS will provide a detailed evaluation report, recommending services, goals, and supports to include in the student’s IEP if applicable. They will also participate remotely in follow-up communication with the IEP team to support next steps.
Schedule an O&M Evaluation
If your school team has concerns about a student’s ability to travel safely and independently due to a visual impairment, an O&M evaluation is an important and required first step. Whether conducted during an initial referral or added later in the process, this evaluation helps ensure the student receives all of the related services they need to be safe, confident, and independent.
Contact us today to schedule an O&M evaluation or learn more about how Virtual TVI can support your district and students.