ORCID Profile
0000-0002-4383-5193
Current Organisations
James Cook University
,
Education Queensland North Queensland Region
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Publications
A critical literature analysis of the Orientation and Mobility paradigm
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 18-05-2021
Abstract: Orientation and Mobility is a specialist field of knowledge, skills, and understandings specific to people with visual impairment. Blending traditional and developmental disability-specific eruditions, Orientation and Mobility focuses on the sensory, spatial, perceptual, and environmental concepts and skills for people with visual impairment. Linked to well-being, social participation, employment, and self-determination, Orientation and Mobility, therefore, is the cornerstone of equity and access for people with visual impairment. Despite this, there is little explicit discussion about the dominant discourses prevalent within the professional field of Orientation and Mobility. Drawing on theories of paradigms and grand narratives, a critical review of the dominant discourse on Orientation and Mobility learning and teaching was undertaken. The aim of this critical literature review was to identify ‘if and how’ the privileging of important intellectual traditions guides the professional field of Orientation and Mobility. Results confirmed that there is a consistent philosophical world view underlying much of the activity in Orientation and Mobility research. This paradigm of Orientation and Mobility professional attitudes, perspectives, and interests impedes a shared commitment to studying and improving the fundamentals of Orientation and Mobility learning and teaching. An important finding of this review was the effect that gaps in research and literature have on the future profession and perception of Orientation and Mobility. Alternative discourses to the traditional Orientation and Mobility learning and teaching are considered and discussed in terms of the longevity and growth of the Orientation and Mobility professional field.
Understanding Orientation and Mobility learning and teaching for primary students with vision impairment: a qualitative inquiry
Publisher: James Cook University
Date: 2018
‘Orientation and Mobility . . . What is that again?’
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 20-04-2021
Abstract: Orientation and Mobility (O& M) is historically understood as the technical skills required for a person with visual impairment to move independently and safely through their environment. O& M instruction was originally positioned as a way to progress the rehabilitation of US veterans blinded in World War II. Since then, the long white cane has been synonymous with visual impairment, blindness, and the discipline of O& M. To this day, the attainment of long-cane skills and route travel persists as a major component of O& M practice and research. This pervasive quantitative conception of O& M instruction promotes attitudes, perspectives, and interests that impede a shared commitment to studying and improving the fundamentals of O& M. Drawing on qualitative data from interviews with three Queensland primary school students with visual impairment, a parent, teacher, and a panel of Australian O& M specialists the sub-culture of O& M is illuminated. Results indicate a lack of general awareness of the impact of Visual Impairment and of O& M, and shed light on the authentic learning experiences of the three students with visual impairment. To better understand the influence of visual impairment on independent travel and subsequently the tenets of O& M learning and teaching, it is necessary to challenge the conventional way of telling the story of O& M. The importance of changing preconceived ideas and values of O& M is discussed.
Virtual O&M: A far north Queensland innovation
Publisher: Walter de Gruyter GmbH
Date: 13-06-2018
Understanding Orientation and Mobility learning and teaching for primary students with vision impairment: a qualitative inquiry
Publisher: James Cook University
Date: 2018
Related Organisations
Related Funding Activities
No related grants have been discovered for Katrina Blake.