O&M for Children - Olmsted Center for the Visually Impaired

When your child has been declared legally blind by an ophthalmologist or optometrist contact your local CSE/CPSE (Committee for Special Education/Committee for Preschool Special Education) to inquire about services that will be provided for your child. If you do not know the CSE/CPSE of your district, contact the teacher or special needs coordinator at your child's school and schedule a meeting with the teacher and CPSE/CSE.

Some school boards have their own orientation and mobility instructor on staff. However, most contract with outside agencies. After an initial assessment has been performed (which may involve some discussion with you) an IEP (Individualized Education Program) is written by the instructor which outlines the goals and areas of instruction necessary for the child. Amount of remaining vision, age, cognitive level and travel ability are all determining factors for the amount of services your child will receive. Independence is the long term goal of all orientation and mobility programs.