What is a Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist (COMS)O&M specialists teach people who are blind or visually impaired the skills and concepts they need in order to travel independently and safely – in the home and classroom, and in the community and city. O&M specialists provide services across the lifespan — they teach children who are visually impaired in school programs and adults in rehabilitation settings. READ MORE. The profession of O&M formally developed during and immediately after World War II, when soldiers who had been blinded in battle were taught how to travel independently. Since that time, the profession developed to serve children, people with low vision, elderly people, deaf-blind people, and visually impaired people with multiple disabilities. Read about O&M: The Living History. O&M specialists are trained at university and college programs. Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS) meet professional standards developed by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals.
What would some job responsibilities be for a COMS?Sessions range from motivating an infant to crawl to preparing an older adult to cross four lanes of traffic - this field is dynamic and creative!
Where might a COMS work?
Where can you go to study to become a COMS?Obtain a bachelor’s degree in any field and earn a master’s degree or graduate certification in Orientation and Mobility
Click here to download the COMS Flyer |