The Hunter College Distance Learning Advanced Certificate in Orientation and Mobility (O&M) prepares O&M specialists to work in schools and vision rehabilitation agencies with learners of all ages who are blind or visually impaired. Upon completion of the program sequence, candidates will be eligible for Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals - O&M certification.

Students complete all Fall and Spring courses via on-line learning methods. Classes are held in the late afternoon and evenings, and on weekends. Participation in the blindfold/low vision skill labs requires students to attend courses on-campus for 2 weeks during the Summer semesters. Internship hours are also met during the work day.

This program is a collaboration among vision rehabilitation therapists (VRTs), orientation and mobility specialists (O&M specialists), and vision rehabilitation and education professionals in the preparation of graduate students. The aim is to prepare O&M specialists who seek to improve the quality of travel of learners with visual impairments. The focus is on development of competencies in coursework and internship in the following areas:

• Foundations of Vision Rehabilitation and Special Education
• Assessment of Travel Abilities of Learners with Visual Impairments including those with Additional Disabilities
• Implications of Visual Impairments and other Medical Disorders on Instructional Strategies
• Psychological Adjustment to Visual Impairment
• Enhancement of Functional Vision for Activities of Wayfinding
• Implications of Visual Impairment and Other Disabilities on the Acquisition of Travel Skills and Performance When Traveling in Diverse Environments
• Adaptive Equipment and Assistive Technology for Learners with Visual Impairments
  
• Collaborative Teaming
  
• Effective Partnerships with Families

Candidates accepted to Hunter College are eligible for tuition assistance for this 18-credit Advanced Certificate program through the New York State Education Department Intensive Teacher Institute (ITI) for Orientation and Mobility Specialists grant award to Hunter College. Students who are awarded these grant funds sign a service agreement form indicating they will work as an O&M specialist for two years upon completion of this program. Students who do not complete the program are required to reimburse Hunter for all tuition support received. For further information contact Rosanne K. Silberman rsilberm@hunter.cuny.edu.