By: Carmen Willings
teachingvisuallyimpaired.com
Updated June 9, 2019

Orientation and Mobility (O&M) is a critical area for students with visual impairments as it is essential for the student to learn to move safely and efficiently and as independently as possible through all environments.  The O&M will teach the student to move safely and efficiently through their environment.

Proper Guide Technique

A person can be trained to be a guide for a person who is visually impaired. There are some basics of proper guide techniques. A guide can be on either side of the student, depending on the student or guides preference. If the guide is on the left, it will help with negotiating stairs and doors. 

For the older student: Encourage the student who is blind to lightly grasp the guide just above the elbow as this position gives the best movement clues. The thumb should be on the outside as in holding a glass or a can of soda. The student's arm should be held at a right angle. The guide should keep their arm relaxed at his/her side with the elbow bent only if more support is needed. The guide should stay one step ahead.  This allows the student to anticipate the movement. The guide should pause before steps and curbs and alert them to any dangers.

For the younger student: Encourage the student to hold onto the guide's wrist and follow the guide's body movement. The student is guided, not pushed or pulled when walking along.

Special Situations

  • When approaching a narrow space, the guide should move their arm that the student his holding, behind their back. This will place the student directly behind the guide.
  • When approaching a door, the guide should communicate which direction the door opens and on which side. 
  • When approaching stairs, the guide should communicate if the stairs go up or down and indicate where the handrail is. It is important to pause before going up or down stairs and also announce the last step. 
  • When assisting a student in sitting in a chair, the guide can place their hand on the back or arm of the chair to help the student locate the chair.

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