Orientation and Mobility (O&M)

O&M training is crucial for people with vision loss as it enables them to stay mobile and active by gaining the skills and confidence to travel safely by themselves or with their caregivers. The training takes place on their common travel routes or within their homes, covering topics such as understanding their current location, identifying their destinations, and protecting themselves from collisions with obstacles.

The importance and benefits of learning O&M skills include:

  • Overcome the fear of travelling alone

  • Gaining the ability and confidence to perform essential errands independently, without waiting for or relying on others to help

  • Commuting to school or work safely by themselves

  • Having the freedom to meet friends, staying socially connected and active

Related Links

Guide Dogs Singapore Corporate Brochure

Guide Dogs Singapore Referral Form

Apply to Be A Guide Dog User

  • Annie walking on a pavement independently with white cane
  • Orientation And Mobility White Cane User Gerald Walking under HDB block with White Cane talking to GDS staff
  • White Cane User Halimi Going up escalator with White Cane assisted by public member
  • A vision-impaired man walking up the staircase holding a white cane
  • Hong Sen walking on the pavement with his guide dog Clare wearing a working harness beside him
  • Orientation And Mobility White Cane User Halimi Coming down escalator with White Cane Independently

Training is conducted by qualified O&M Specialists at Guide Dogs Singapore Ltd (GDS). It is suitable for:

  • People of all ages and with multiple disabilities.

  • Individuals with varying degrees of blindness and vision loss, as they will benefit from maximising their remaining vision and learning techniques to avoid falls or collisions with obstacles

  • Anyone who wishes to move around independently and not let their vision loss limit their mobility and routine

Orientation and Mobility training focuses on two key principles:

1

Spatial awareness: Understanding your current location using information from your surroundings

2

Navigating to a destination: Safely reaching your destination either alone or with assistance.

It teaches the proper use of various mobility aids to ensure safe travel, including:

  • White Cane

  • Support Cane

  • Human Guide

  • Mobile Phone Applications

The Orientation and Mobility training programme comprises the following components:

Our O&M Specialists conduct a thorough assessment of each client’s specific needs, including:

  • Mobility needs
  • Remaining vision capabilities
  • Current support systems
  • Health conditions
  • Schedule availability

Based on this assessment, they develop a customised training program and collaborate with clients to set achievable goals. Here are some of the skills taught during the training:

Human Guide Techniques

  • Taught primarily to immediate community, such as family or friends
  • A safe and respectful method of guiding individuals with vision loss
  • Useful when clients need to cross intersections without audible signals, such as traffic lights without beep sounds

Indoor Familiarisation

  • Techniques for upper and lower body protection to avoid knocking into things
  • Strategies for clients with low vision to scan their environment for obstacles
  • Safe methods for retrieving dropped items
  • Learning the layout of home, workplace, or school in order to move around efficiently

Proper Use of a White Cane

  • Significantly reduces travel anxiety for people with vision loss
  • Beneficial for varying degree of visual impairment, from low to no vision
  • Detects changes in ground level and obstacles, such as kerbs, stairs and drains
  • Protect user from falls, collisions with objects or commuters
  • Alert the public to be more thoughtful around people with vision loss
  • Enhances overall safety during travel when used correctly

For GDS clients with more complex travel routes, they will be taught the following techniques:

  • Navigation using other senses and mental mapping
  • Using technology for route planning and wayfinding
  • Learning safe road crossing methods with auditory cues, traffic light signals, and assistance from passers-by
  • Understanding the layout of bus and train stations to learn how to commute independently on public transport
  • Knowing how to ask for assistance to get the information they require, as well as when to accept or decline help

Our ultimate goal is to empower every person with vision loss to confidently step out of their homes and travel independently. O&M training is offered free of charge for Singaporeans and Permanent Residents, while residents with long-term visit passes incur training fees.

Sessions typically run from 1 to 3 hours, scheduled once or twice a week. Clients beginning a training programme with us receive their first white cane free of charge. Subsequent canes and accessories are available for purchase.

Our Instructors

Melody Deng, Orientation & Mobility Specialist

Melody Deng
Head of Orientation & Mobility Services

Simone Oh, Orientation & Mobility Specialist

Simone Oh
Senior Orientation & Mobility Specialist

Videos

Related Links

Guide Dogs Singapore Corporate Brochure

Guide Dogs Singapore Referral Form

Apply to Be A Guide Dog User

Testimonials

Amanda Chong, a GDS Client wearing a helmet and holding a raft and wearing a safety life jacket with a stream on the background

Amanda Chong
I cherish the freedom to travel on my own

Annie Mok

Annie Mok
Overcoming the stigma of using a white cane

Ms Sakinah

Sakinah
Crossing the road is possible now

Spread the Word to Make a Difference

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