Do you, average tumblr user, know these terms?
O&M and TVI
Well, average tumblr user, lemme tell you. These terms are for teachers and instructors for blind and low vision students. O&M means Orientation and Mobility while TVI is Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments.
Now! You may wonder why I’m telling you this, average tumblr user. Well it’s because I want you to know that these positions exist. I especially want to talk about O&M. It’s a position where you teach a person how to go about their own city/town. How to use their public transportation system should they have one. Make sure, should they have the hearing, to listen to vehicles while waiting to cross the street. And for the ones who’re starting to use white canes for navigation, you help them figure out what cane type and what cane techniques works for them. (Like a marshmallow tip vs a ceramic tip or swinging their cane vs having it diagonal.)
As a O&M Instructor, and as a TVI, you can be contracted and go around different schools. I think there’s even some programs where you teach adults. Or at least this is something you can do in the USA. If you’re in another country you should check to see how’re things are like there for these positions.
If you’re in the USA, and you’re interested in becoming an O&M Instructor, or a TVI, check out these two sites that share different colleges that have courses to become a O&M Instructor or a TVI. (I did hear that the Northern Illinois University is highly recommended as the school to go to become an O&M Instructor.)
O&M Programs – Orientation & Mobility Specialists Association
This article outlines the role of Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI) in providing accessible education and includes a list o
