Orientation and mobility for children with visual impairments during COVID-19: Responses from O&M professionals to a disruption of traditional services

Abstract

After lockdowns and school closings associated with COVID-19 began throughout the United States and Canada in March 2020, this research was completed to explore how the pandemic affected access to orientation and mobility (O&M) services. Using qualititave responses from a mixed methodology study, this article reports the findings from 318 individuals, including both O&M specialists and dually certified teachers of students with visual impairments (TVIs) and O&M specialists. Four major themes emerged through data analysis, including (1) prioritization of O&M goals for students with visual impairments, (2) personal factors affecting access to O&M training, (3) access to O&M services through virtual learning, and (4) creative approaches to O&M instruction during the pandemic. Within these themes, professionals, students, and families alike were asked to assume roles that went beyond traditional expectations. Questions and concerns that professionals in the field need to consider when looking at the future of O&M services were raised as part of this research, including a number of ideas for future studies.