Introducing Echolocation into O&M University Courses for Professionals

Abstract

It is well known that echolocation makes it possible for a person who is blind to get to know their surroundings and that it strengthens an individual’s ability to move independently. In order to learn echolocation skills as a newly blind or vision impaired individual, the orientation and mobility (O&M) specialist needs to become well acquainted with these techniques. However, based on the authors’ own experiences as professionals and researcher in the field of vision rehabilitation it is anticipated that very few O&M professionals are familiar with, and practice echolocation. If people who are blind are to have the possibility of learning advanced echolocation skills, then there must be trained O&M specialists to teach echolocation. This report describes the way echolocation skills were taught at a Master’s level course in Sweden during 2011–2012.