EDUC6071

Orientation and Mobility for Learners with Multiple Disabilities

Faculty of Education and Arts School of Education

10 Units 6000 Level Course

Not available in 2014

Previously offered in 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004

Introduces the candidates to orientation and mobility(O&M) for students with multiple disabilities. Topics will include the history and development of O&M as a profession, basic principles of O&M, functional vision assessment, concept development and adapted teaching of O&M skills for children with a vision disability and multiple impairments.

Contact hours: 4-5 hours per week

This course is administered by the RIDBC Renwick Centre. Successful completion of this course may require students to source their own textbooks and attend compulsory lecture days in Sydney. Further details are available from the Distance Education Co-ordinator +61 (02) 9872-0811 or claire.farrington@ridbc.org.au".Attendance on-campus is expected for some components of this course".

Objectives

On completion of the course, students should be able to:

1. demonstrate knowledge of normal and atypical concept and motor development patterns in learners with multiple disabilities.

2. demonstrate knowledge of basic orientation and mobility skills and knowledge of developmental patterns.

3. demonstrate knowledge of formal and informal assessment protocols available for learners with visual impairment, including functional vision, concept development and motor development.

4. demonstrate knowledge of modification and adaptation for learners with multiple disabilities and the resources necessary for provision of O&M services as well as the historical development of those services.

5. demonstrate awareness of their and others roles in the team effort to provide O&M services to multiply disabled learners.

6. demonstrate basic O&M skills while under blindfold or low vision simulators and a knowledge of various mobility aids.

Content

This subject comprises 6 weeks of intensive contact (4-5 hours per week) plus a course of readings and research tasks. Students will be presented with an array of teaching approaches in orientation and mobility for learners with multiple disabilities, including exploration of space in the home and school environment. Also included will be practical exercises under occlusion in order to demonstrate the basic orientation and mobility skills needed for safe travel within one's environment. The needs of parents and families will be examined. The unit will conclude with an examination of orientation and mobility assessment and the modification and adaptation of O&M programs for learner with multiple disabilities.

Replacing Course(s)

N/A

Transition

N/A

Industrial Experience

Assumed Knowledge

Nil

Modes of Delivery

Internal Mode

Teaching Methods

Lecture
Tutorial

Assessment Items

Essays / Written Assignments	Written assignment on an aspect of orientation and mobility that has implications for instructors of children with multiple disabilities (50%).
Essays / Written Assignments	Written and practical examination to assess student understanding of theoretical and practical aspects of orientation and mobility teaching method (20%).
Other: (please specify)	Practical skills sessions assessed with checklist, involving skills of skills instruction for teacher-learner perspectives (30%)

Contact Hours