"Orientation and mobility" (O & M) has frequently been described as "knowing where you are, knowing where you want to go, and knowing how to get there."

It is the ability to move about safely, efficiently, and gracefully with as much independence as possible. Orientation and mobility training needs to be an integral part of the individual education plan of every student with severe vision loss.

Teaching orientation and mobility requires specially trained people who are aware of the dangers, responsibilities, and techniques involved. This is not your responsibility, although you will probably want to meet occasionally with the O & M specialist to reinforce these skills within your classroom. Teachers may worry that they cannot move desks or change the classroom around, but one of the benefits of O & M is that students with a vision loss learn to manage routine changes, to adapt to the school's natural ebb and flow, and to be more attentive to their environment wherever they are.

The more severe the visual impairment, the more O & M instruction will be needed. The range of techniques vary greatly and the orientation and mobility specialist will determine how best to teach the student.

Some school districts have their own O & M specialist, while other districts arrange for this aspect of the student's education on a contractual basis. (And in some instances the vision resource teacher is also qualified as an O&M specialist.) Check with the vision resource teacher about the student's orientation and mobility training. You may wish to invite the O & M instructor into class to teach both you and your students proper sighted-guide techniques.