• Round Table Conference (Information Access for People with Print Disabilities): Adelaide, South Australia, 23-26 May 2026.
• 2026 CVI Conference: The Collective Power of US: Boston, United States, 19-21 July 2026
• AER International Conference 2026: Louisville, Kentucky, United States, 29 July-2 August 2026. Call for papers now open: submit your abstract by 2 December 2025. Please click here for more information about submitting an abstract.
• International Mobility World Conference 2026: Gujarat, India, 16-19 November 2026

Previous Conferences, recordings still available

• SPEVI 2025: hybrid 13-15 January 2025. Download the paper presentation, poster, or watch the video where available. https://www.spevi.net/conference/papers-2025-conference/
• Round Table 2025: Melbourne, Australia, 25-27th May 2025. All conference documentation available via link. https://printdisability.org/conference/2025-conference/2025-conference-documentation/

The post Conferences first appeared on Orientation and Mobility Association of Australasia.

The OMAA is now advertising the role of OMAA Secretary. The role is voluntary and attracts 10 Professional Development points per annum. We aim for role holders to take up positions for a period of two years, with the opportunity to renew.

Click here to for more information about the role.

If you or someone you know would like further information, or to register your interest in the role of Secretary, please email us via improve@omaaustralasia.com. We would love to hear from you in March for onboarding in April 2021.

The post OMAA Secretary Vacancy first appeared on Orientation and Mobility Association of Australasia.

The survey has also supported the PDC to prioritise the following topics for
professional development in 2021:

• Applying and teaching new technologies in O&M practice
• Staying current with the latest methods of practice, especially in children O&M
  (e.g. practicing role release model)
• Working with clients with additional complexities (e.g. deafblind and mental
  health)
• Applying telepractice into O&M (including managing risk for this mode of
  delivery)
• Working in CVI/Neuro area of practice
• Presentation Skills

The PDC hope to see a sizeable increase in response rates with the 2021 survey,
which will be an indicator we have made improvements with our communication.
Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or suggestions
pdc@omaaustralasia.com

Ewa, Paula, Ange, Nicola & Kelly (PDC)

The post 2020 OMAA PDC Survey Report first appeared on Orientation and Mobility Association of Australasia.

Dear Friends of APH Press,

The American Printing House for the Blind (APH) acquired AFB Press in July 2018 and is now the publisher of the Foundations series of textbooks.

In an effort to lower the expenses associated with the publication of a new revised 4th edition of Foundations of Orientation and Mobility, the leading text in the field on O&M theory and practice, APH Press is seeking additional funding that will allow us to offer the textbook to our customers at a reduced price. Below is a brief survey about how the 3rd edition has impacted its readers in the field. The survey results will be used in the appeal to potential funders.

We appreciate your participation in the Foundations of Orientation and Mobility, 4th edition Interest Survey.

Sincerely,

Heather Spence Director, APH Press 1839 Frankfort Avenue Louisville, KY 40206 502-899-2377

The post Survey: Foundations of Orientation & Mobility, 4th Edition first appeared on Orientation and Mobility Association of Australasia.

The University of New South Wales and Guide Dogs NSW/ACT are partnering to offer a new Graduate Diploma in Orientation and Mobility, commencing in Term 2, 2021. The full-time program will combine online learning, face-to-face practical skills, and Work Integrated Learning (WIL). This means that applicants can study from anywhere in Australasia, come together for blocks to do their blindfold work and then complete their WIL placement at an available host agency nearer to home. The program meets requirements for professional certification (COMS), and graduates will be ready to launch in one year.

Unlike many previous O&M programs, this course is open access. Applicants with a 3 year bachelor’s degree can apply directly to the UNSW from early 2021, pay their own uni fees, and be free to work anywhere after they graduate. The other point of difference is that, although GDNSW/ACT is generously providing the seed funding for this program, the UNSW is directly employing the personnel teaching the program. This shift means that the university will take responsibility for the program into the future.

Congratulations to Kelly Prentice from GDNSW/ACT and the Kelly Gang for their hard work in negotiating this program. And thanks to the UNSW team for their very warm welcome.

For more information, and contact details for the program check the UNSW website.
There are also media releases from UNSW and GDNSW/ACT.

O&M Qualifications at Massey University, New Zealand

Starting in 2021, New Zealand will have a qualification pathway for O&M instructors who work with both children and adults. As part of the Specialist Teaching Programme run by Massey University, there will be an option for a Post Graduate Diploma in Specialist Teaching Blind and Low Vision with a focus on O&M and a Post Graduate Certificate in Specialist Teaching Blind and Low Vision with a focus on O&M.

Massey’s Post Graduate Diploma in Specialist Teaching Blind and Low Vision is for Developmental Orientation and Mobility instructors employed by Blind and Low Vision Education Network New Zealand (BLENNZ) and involves four Massey courses over two years and a co-requisite braille course (taken outside of Massey). In the first year, students will complete:

• Course 1: 249746 Theory and Practice of Blind and Low Vision (via OM route)
• Course 2: 254766 Professional Learning Pathways (with OM and BLV modules)

In the second year, students will complete:

• Course 3: 249752 A practicum in Blind and Low Vision in line with ACVREP requirements
• Course 4: 254767 Community Based Practice (relevant to local community)

Massey’s Post Graduate Certificate in Specialist Teaching Blind and Low Vision is a one year option open to those working in an organisation such as Blind Low Vision New Zealand (BLVNZ) as either a child or adult instructor. This one year course, consists of:

• Course 1: 249746 Theory and Practice of Blind and Low Vision (via OM route)
• Course 2: 254766 Professional Learning Pathways (with OM and BLV modules)

In order to become a qualified O&M instructor, students will also need to complete an industry based practicum in line with ACVREP (COMS) requirements, which is done outside of Massey.

Entry requirements for both the Post Graduate Diploma and Post Graduate Certificate are as follows:

1. been awarded or qualified for a Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent; and
2. been awarded or qualified for a relevant professional qualification; and
3. have completed at least two years of relevant professional experience.

If you would like further information about these qualification options, please email Nicola McDowell – N.McDowell@massey.ac.nz

The post New O&M Qualifications in 2021 first appeared on Orientation and Mobility Association of Australasia.

The following information has been sourced from the American Foundation for the Blind website.

The Flatten Inaccessibility report examined the impact of COVID-19 on adults with visual impairments in the United States early in the COVID-19 pandemic. Though data were collected in April, the systemic issues and challenges related to COVID-19 identified by the 1,921 participants must be addressed in order to ensure equal access for all. Read the report online, or download and share the accessible PDF.

The post Flatten Inaccessibility Study first appeared on Orientation and Mobility Association of Australasia.

Presentation Recordings

A recording of each presentation will be available to Symposium participants to watch over the next three weeks. These recordings will be removed on Monday 26 October 2020. Please click here to access the recordings, using the password provided to registered participants.

Evaluation Quiz

Please remember to complete your Symposium Evaluation Quiz, which can be accessed here. This quiz must be completed in order to receive your CPD points for recertification.

Self-Paced Learning

Weren’t able to join us at the Symposium? Not to worry! The recordings of all presentations are now available to be viewed in a self-paced learning format. You can complete your registration to access the recordings by clicking here, this will be available until 30 October 2020. Anyone completing the self-paced learning will still be eligible for 6 CPD points, provided they complete the Symposium Evaluation Quiz which can be found with the recordings.

OMAA is pleased to announce our online symposium on the 22nd September 2020. The symposium will be run from 10am – 6pm (AEDT) and will be hosted by the RIDBC Renwick Centre. This event will be online using the Zoom platform.

Details

Date: Tuesday 22 September 2020

Time: 10am – 6pm (AEDT)

Location: online

Program

Click here for full program details.

Registration

Click here to complete your registration.

Registration pricing:

• OMAA Members – $100.00
• Non-members – $175.00
• Students – $80.00
• Low Resourced Countries – $60.00

More details on pricing can be found at the registration link above.

This online symposium is offered for 6 CPD/CPE credits for COMS.

Podcast

Did you know that the Renwick Centre hosts its own podcast? Both of our keynote speakers featured on recent episodes to share their expertise and promote the upcoming Symposium. Click here to hear Lil Deverell discuss her experience with measuring functional vision, and click here to hear Helen St Clair Tracy discuss her knowledge of CVI.

Scholarships

Extended application deadline! Now 31st August 2020

The Orientation and Mobility Association of Australasia (OMAA) is offering two scholarships, each sufficient to cover the cost of the event registration.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must be an Ordinary Member of OMAA at the time of application and for the period including the symposium.
• Are in the first 1-5 years of their O&M practice.
• Previous recipients of the OMAA-IMC Scholarship are not eligible to apply.
• Members of the OMAA Executive are not eligible to apply.

The OMAA Online Symposium Scholarship aims to assist OMAA members who might not otherwise be financially supported to attend the event.

Please click here for more information on this scholarship opportunity.

Exhibition Packages – still available!

There are three Exhibition Packages available to providers and services. You can find out more here.

This website will continue to be updated so we encourage you to keep checking regularly.

Return to OMAA home page

The post OMAA Online Symposium first appeared on Orientation and Mobility Association of Australasia.

On June 1 2018, the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals (ACVREP) announced that its COMS program has been reopened to international applicants, with new ANZ-friendly eligibility criteria:  https://www.acvrep.org/newsitem?id=51 These criteria create a great benchmark for our O&M training programs to meet, moving forward. But what about O&M specialists who are already qualified and working in the field? Read more in the second edition of the Footwork newsletter…

The post Certification of O&M Specialists first appeared on Orientation and Mobility Association of Australasia.

The post News from the Region first appeared on Orientation and Mobility Association of Australasia.

We are lucky to have Brian Bushway running some flash sonar training for us in Chatswood next Tuesday and Wednesday. As many O&M’s will be attending the training it is a great chance to do an OMAA social catch up afterwards on Tuesday 12^th June. I believe Brian will also be joining us for dinner.

When: Tuesday 12^th June

Time: 5:15pm drinks and snacks and meals can be ordered at 6pm

Where: 565 The Avenue, 465 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood. (2 minute walk from office)

http://www.465theavenue.com.au/

I have booked a casual area so you can order meals and drinks at the bar and pay individually.

This event is open to all client services staff who wish to attend including non OMAA members.

Please note: this is not an official Guide Dogs event and is social catch up with colleagues in your own time.

Hope to see you there!

Darren Moyle

The post OMAA Social Event – Chatswood, Sydney first appeared on Orientation and Mobility Association of Australasia.