Definitions of Orientation and Mobility
Orientation:
• the process of utilising the remaining senses, in establishing one's position and relationship to all significant objects in one's environment
• the mental ability to determine correctly one's present position in the environment, plan effective routes of travel to a destination and efficiently use travel cues while en route
Mobility:
• the mental ability to navigate from one's present fixed position to one's desired position in another part of the environment
• the physical act of travelling in a safe, graceful and efficient manner from one location to the other
• may be accomplished by using a human guide, a long cane, a guide dog or an electronic
device
Use of Landmarks and Clues:
Landmark: any familiar object, sound, odour, temperature or tactual clue that is easily
recognised, is constant and that has a known personal location in the environment.
Landmarks can be used:
• to establish and maintain directional orientation as a reference point;
• to establish and maintain distance relationships;
• to locate specific objectives;
• to orient and re-orient oneself to an area; and
• to verbalise route to be travelled.
Clue: as above, however not constant or permanent.
1. Where am I?
2. What is my objective?
3. How do I get there?
The vision impaired person must first be aware of where he is in space and must be able to use his remaining senses. Senses which are most important to the traveller:
HEARING: must be able to discriminate, orient and localise sounds.
TACTUAL DISCRIMINATION: hands, long cane, soles of feet, thermal cues- back of head, skin etc., different ground textures.
KINESTHETIC ABILITY: detection of proportion, distance and weight- through the muscles, tendons and joints.
VESTIBULAR STIMULATION: detecting degree of turn (straight ahead, 90 degrees etc.),
balance.
OLFACTION: sense of smell - used to identify and localise.
VISION: encourage ability to use any residual vision
GUSTATION: sense of taste
Orientation:
• the process of utilising the remaining senses, in establishing one's position and relationship to all significant objects in one's environment
• the mental ability to determine correctly one's present position in the environment, plan effective routes of travel to a destination and efficiently use travel cues while en route
Mobility:
• the mental ability to navigate from one's present fixed position to one's desired position in another part of the environment
• the physical act of travelling in a safe, graceful and efficient manner from one location to the other
• may be accomplished by using a human guide, a long cane, a guide dog or an electronic
device
Use of Landmarks and Clues:
Landmark: any familiar object, sound, odour, temperature or tactual clue that is easily
recognised, is constant and that has a known personal location in the environment.
Landmarks can be used:
• to establish and maintain directional orientation as a reference point;
• to establish and maintain distance relationships;
• to locate specific objectives;
• to orient and re-orient oneself to an area; and
• to verbalise route to be travelled.
Clue: as above, however not constant or permanent.
1. Where am I?
2. What is my objective?
3. How do I get there?
The vision impaired person must first be aware of where he is in space and must be able to use his remaining senses. Senses which are most important to the traveller:
HEARING: must be able to discriminate, orient and localise sounds.
TACTUAL DISCRIMINATION: hands, long cane, soles of feet, thermal cues- back of head, skin etc., different ground textures.
KINESTHETIC ABILITY: detection of proportion, distance and weight- through the muscles, tendons and joints.
VESTIBULAR STIMULATION: detecting degree of turn (straight ahead, 90 degrees etc.),
balance.
OLFACTION: sense of smell - used to identify and localise.
VISION: encourage ability to use any residual vision
GUSTATION: sense of taste