The International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment (ICEVI) Publication Committee invites submissions for the July 2026 issue of The Educator. The theme of the issue is “Technology and Artificial Intelligence in the Education and Daily Life of Persons with Visual Impairment”.

As digital innovation accelerates globally, this issue will explore how technology and artificial intelligence are shaping inclusive education, accessibility, literacy, independence, and participation for learners who are blind, deafblind, or have low vision.

Submission Deadline: 31 May 2026

For submission guidelines and further information, please see the ICEVI website.

CPD Opportunities

Orientation and Mobility Masterclass Series 2026

This online series has a specific focus on technology in the field of O&M and aims to provide an up-to-date overview of the resources currently available. This series will contribute 4 PD hours towards COMS re-certification with ACVREP as it addresses the Core Domains of the OMAA O&M Framework.

Sessions include:

• AI (Artificial Intelligence) for learners who are blind and low vision (Chris Tabb)
• Accessible Maps (Chris Tabb)
• Be My Eyes (Hans Jorgen Wiberg)
• GPS Apps (Chris Tabb)
• Plus two other sessions to be confirmed.

Note that you don’t need to attend live. You can sign up for Digital Access and watch the recordings in your own time.

More details can be found on the NextSense website.

Community of Practice Meeting – Emerging Tools in O&M

If anyone missed our first Community of Practice meeting for 2026 on 17 March and would like to access the recording, it is now available for viewing via the OMAA website. Guest presenters covered a range of new and emerging technologies including the WeWalk smart cane and ASHIRASE, as well as updates from the OMAA committees. Check it out!

Upcoming Conferences

• 2026 Round Table Conference, Adelaide, 23 – 26 May 2026.
• 2026 CVI Conference: The Collective Power of US: Boston, United States, 19 – 21 July 2026.
• 2026 AER International Conference: Louisville, Kentucky, United States, 29 July – 2 August 2026.

You can find other PD opportunities at the OMAA website.

Are you hosting or attending an upcoming CPD event? Would you like to be able to earn points towards ACVREP recertification at the same time? Click here to find out how you can register your event.

Job Vacancies

Have you looked at the Job Vacancies page on the OMAA website recently? You’ll find position vacancies listed for various agencies and locations across Australasia so remember to check it out.

Research

• Eye prosthesis restores some sight lost due to macular degeneration.
• AFB researchers identify employment risks of AI for people who are blind or have low vision.

Technology

• Hailo has launched the first pilot of its digital hailing app for public transport in Melbourne. The first of its kind globally, it works by using your phone to hail a vehicle and request it to stop. You can learn more about the pilot here.
• Apple and Google announce collaboration on AI glasses with haptic information for those living with blindness and low vision.

Other News

• Vision 2020 Australia has partnered with Mindtools Kineo to offer six free eye health and vision care modules for healthcare professionals. These courses are designed to build confidence among frontline professionals so they can recognise potential eye health issues early and connect people with the care they need. You can find out more about the courses here.
• Australian Red Cross TeleRedi offers free phone support to vulnerable people in South Australia and Western Australia to help them stay safe and well during periods of extreme heat. It is especially helpful for people who are living alone, housebound or frail, living with a disability or chronic illness, recovering from illness or injury, or experiencing mental illness.
• Uber has agreed to an external review of its operations after settling a Federal Court case brought by a Victorian woman who was refused more than 30 rides while travelling with a guide dog. You can read the full story here.

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The post Blog Post; April 2026 first appeared on Orientation and Mobility Association of Australasia.

The Orientation and Mobility (O&M) Team at UNSW School of Optometry and Vision Sciences would like to thank the following O&M Specialists for their commitment and service to our profession. These specialists have supported the Graduate Diploma in O&M in 2025 by supervising students during Work Integrated Learning placements and/or by working as Techniques Tutors during the on-campus student Intensives.

Our NSW colleagues Jacqueline Amos, Susan Bucinskas, Karen Carrigan, Jennifer Churchill, Rebecca Dunkley, Alli Fagan, Carole Grayson, Paul Hartley, Jesse Jiang, Nicole Johnson, Nicola Riley, Kylie Swainson and Karen Warwick.

Our QLD colleagues: Karen Drew and Jessica McCleod

Our colleagues from Victoria: Simon McDonald-Kerr, Kirstie Henderson and Eamon Quinn

Our SA/NT colleagues: Michael Gleeson, Rhiegan Halliday, Karyn Honsch-Wilson, Prue Kalisch and Tiana Nelson

Our colleagues from Tasmania: Errol Ingram and Courtney McMahon

And finally, our only international colleague from the USA, Daniel Kish.

A heartfelt thank you to you all. Your valuable knowledge and input is a key ingredient in the UNSW O&M program and has a major impact on the quality of future O&M service provision in Australasia.

Felicity Gates ROMSA and Matthew Walker ROMSA

School of Optometry & Vision Science

Faculty of Medicine & Health

UNSW SYDNEY NSW 2052

AUSTRALIA

W: optometry.unsw.edu.au

Latest issue of Vision Re/habilitation International is now available!

The Vision Rehabilitation International Journal (VRIJ) 16th volume (2025) is now published. This edition features six open-access articles, including important work on Orientation & Mobility (O&M) for people who are Deafblind. GDN O&M Specialists contributed an article on the v‑LiFE intervention program, “Blending v‑LiFE and O&M training to build self-confidence and self-determination for independence.” This is a fantastic accomplishment and a testament to our local O&M Specialists expertise and dedication.

Community of Practice Meetings for 2026

The Membership Engagement Committee have set the dates for Community of Practice Meetings for 2026, with the first being held on Tuesday 17 March 2026. Click here for future dates and keep an eye on your inbox for further communications about these wonderful events.

Updates re COMS/ROMSA

There have been several updates regarding COMS/ROMSA in recent months. Please see the three most recent updates below:

23 December 2025: Establishing ROMSA Status

Following the recent changes by the NDIA, as specified in the NDIS Practice Standards Qualification and Professional Associations Required Documentation Guide (previously the Verification Module), Orientation and Mobility Specialists are required to be a Registered Orientation and Mobility Specialist of Australasia (ROMSA) in order to claim NDIS Therapy Rate for “Other Professional”.

ROMSA is a registered member of the Orientation and Mobility Association of Australasia (OMAA).

It has come to the attention of OMAA that some employers are asking staff to prove their ROMSA status by supplying their ROMSA certificates.

Please click here to download and read the complete letter from the OMAA Registrar.

This document should be made available to employers, plan managers and any other relevant stakeholders as and when required.

28 November 2025: Preparation for COMS Exam and Registration as ROMSA

As the academic year comes to an end the Orientation and Mobility Association of Australasia (OMAA) would like to wish our recent graduates all the best for their upcoming careers in our close and collegiate profession.

In March 2025, the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission recognised OMAA as the registration body for our profession. To be able to claim fee for services under the NDIA, you now need to be a Registered Orientation and Mobility Specialist of Australasia (ROMSA) which means you must be a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS) with the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP) by successfully completing and passing the COMS exam. Please continue reading.

21 November 2025: Open letter to the membership of OMAA

Re: Response from NDIS

Some questions answered 21.11.2015

If you have any questions regarding the recent NDIS announcement, please feel free to send your queries to ndis.romsa@omaaustralasia.com

Upcoming Conferences

• 2026 Round Table Conference, Adelaide, 24 – 26 May 2026. 
• 2026 CVI Conference: The Collective Power of US: Boston, United States, 19-21 July 2026
• 2026 AER International Conference: Louisville, Kentucky, United States, 29 July – 2 August 2026. 

Recordings of the 2025 SPEVI Conference are now available for public viewing at no cost. You can access the recordings here.

You can find other PD opportunities at the OMAA website.

Are you hosting or attending an upcoming CPD event? Would you like to be able to earn points towards ACVREP recertification at the same time? Click here to find out how you can register your event.

Scam/Spam Email alert

The OMAA has heard from several members that they’ve received a scam/spam email in relation to the OMAA distribution/members list. This email was sent from an non-OMAA email address (kate.smiith10@gmail.com). Please remain vigilant of suspicious looking emails/senders and carefully check your emails before responding or clicking on any embedded links.

The OMAA will only ever send emails to OMAA members from an address ending in @omaaustralasia.com or from Omaa@wildapricot.org. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to info@omaaustralasia.com

Job Vacancies

Have you looked at the Job Vacancies page on the OMAA website recently? You’ll find position vacancies listed for various agencies and locations across Australasia so remember to check it out.

Acoustic Vehicle Alerting Systems for electric vehicles now mandatory

As of November 1 2025, all new electric vehicles are required to be fitted with an Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) which emits an acoustic sound when the vehicle travels at or under 25 kilometres per hour. Read more here.

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The post Blog Post; January 2026 first appeared on Orientation and Mobility Association of Australasia.

• National Deafblind Conference 2025: Filling in the Gaps and Joining the Dots: University of Sydney, Australia, 27 – 28 November 2025. Attendance is free. For all information and to register for tickets to attend online or in person, visit the Conference website. Please be aware that this conference does not offer COMS credits.
• International O&M Online Symposium: online, worldwide, 28 – 30 January 2026. Early bird registration is now available, and you will earn 18 CEUs (Continuing Education Units).
• 2026 Round Table Conference, Adelaide, 24 – 26 May 2026. 
• 2026 CVI Conference: The Collective Power of US: Boston, United States, 19-21 July 2026
• 2026 AER International Conference: 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.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

November master series From Stigma to Strength: The Role of Educators in Supporting Students with Blindness and Low Vision will discuss the benefits and positive impacts of stigma resistance, the power of community, and the influence of BLV educators and professionals in reducing the impact of stigma. This series will contribute 4 PD hours towards COMS re-certification with ACVREP as it addresses the Core Domains of the OMAA O&M Framework. Recordings for post digital access are included in the course purchase.

Did you miss August’s O&M Community of Practice meeting on working with kids? There were some wonderful ideas and tools shared. Check out the recording here. A reminder that registered OMAA Members who attend live are eligible to receive 1 COMS continuing education point per CoP Meeting. The next Community of Practice meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 18 November covering the topic of “O&M Techie Time” – please join us for our last meeting for 2025!

You can find other PD opportunities at the OMAA website.

Are you hosting or attending an upcoming CPD event? Would you like to be able to earn points towards ACVREP recertification at the same time? Click here to find out how you can register your event.

Call for Submissions on O&M, Sport and Recreation

Posted on behalf of Frances Gentle:

The International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment (ICEVI) invites submissions for the January 2026 issue of The Educator. The theme is “Physical Activity: Orientation and Mobility, Sports and Recreation”.

Physical activity builds independence, health, and confidence. This issue will explore skills in orientation and mobility, sports and recreation, and technology innovations such as fitness apps, wearables, navigation tools, tactile maps, and adaptive sports equipment. Share your articles, case studies & reflections.

Deadline: 30 November 2025
Email submissions: Publications@ICEVI.org
Submission guidelines: https://icevi.org/resource-library/the-educator/

Job Vacancies

Have you looked at the Job Vacancies page on the OMAA website recently? You’ll find position vacancies listed for various agencies and locations across Australasia so remember to check it out.

SeeWay launches national campaign

World Sight Day saw the launch of a national awareness campaign from SeeWay,  a free, national, online service by Guide Dogs NSW/ACT. SeeWay supports people with permanent changes in vision, and their families and carers, by providing access to mental health counselling, digital literacy training, and everyday independence tools.

Research participation invitation

The University of Sydney’s INCUBATE program is conducting research to better understand how people who are blind or have low vision experience in-store and online payments. They are running a short anonymous survey to capture everyday experiences and accessibility challenges when making payments. The insights will help inform more inclusive and independent payment solutions in Australia. You can participate in the survey here.

Journal Articles

AER The New Re:View, is a practice-focused journal sponsored by AER that offers articles and short pieces, including “Virtual Thoughts: Provider Voices on Teleintervention with Families of Young Children with Visual Impairment.”

A reminder that you can access free copies of the Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness (JVIB) and the Journal of Special Education via your ACVREP account. Simply log in to My ACVREP and you can access the journals here.

Other News

• The findings of a two-year Australian trial show the potential of AI to increase access to sight saving eye screenings. You can read more about the study and the research here.
• National survey: Vision impairment rates down but access gaps remain.
• Man’s own tooth implanted in eye to restore his vision.
• Musk says Neuralink could restore vision to blind next year.
• Target USA launches accessible checkout, built with the blind and low vision community.

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The post Blog Post; November 2025 first appeared on Orientation and Mobility Association of Australasia.

UNSW School of Optometry & Vision Science is inviting applications for its 2026 intake of the Graduate Diploma in Orientation and Mobility (O&M), a one-of-a-kind program in Australia designed to equip professionals with the skills to support people who are blind or have low vision in navigating their environments safely and independently.

Applications for the Grad Dip in O&M 2026 intake close 15 October 2025, however applications for the Graduate Certificate in Vision Impairment will remain open until early next year.  With limited places available, prospective students are encouraged to apply early. Please click here for more information.

Open letter to the membership of OMAA

Re: Letter from NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, received by OMAA Standards Committee 12 March 2025: update to clarify OMAA’s current position

The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission informed OMAA in March 2025 of the much sought-after change to required qualifications to meet the criteria for Orientation and Mobility Specialists within their system as:

“Orientation and Mobility Specialist

This profession is associated with the below registration group(s):

· 0128 Therapeutic Supports

· Any registration group listed under ‘Other Professions’

In addition to the requirements above, this profession must also meet the following requirements:

Required qualifications / experience: Registered Orientation and Mobility Specialist by the Orientation and Mobility Association of Australasia”

Click here to read the complete open letter.

We will continue to communicate and update OMAA membership as we progress.

Yours Sincerely,

Kay Daly

OMAA President

On behalf of the OMAA Executive Committee

Response from OMAA Professional Standards Committee to NDIA July 2025 Price Guide

The Orientation and Mobility Association of Australasia (OMAA) is the registration body for Orientation and Mobility (O&M) Specialists in Australia. The Professional Standards Committee (PSC) of OMAA gathers voices from a range of stakeholders and informs OMAA direction on management of standards of practice in the profession of O&M, and reports to the Executive Committee.

Click here to read the complete open letter which can be used by plan managers to clarify conditions of payment.

We will continue to communicate and update OMAA membership as we progress.

Felicity Gates ROMSA

Orientation and Mobility Association of Australasia

Chair, Professional Standards Committee

Disability Discrimination Act Review Consultation Now Open

The Attorney General’s department has published a consultation considering a range of issues to be addressed in a review of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). This review process is in response to recommendations resulting from the Disability Royal Commission published in 2024. The aim of the review is to examine whether the DDA is fit for purpose. It invites feedback and ideas on updating the definition of disability used in the legislation, and the potential implementation of positive duty, naming just two aspects.

The government invites the following groups to share their views on this important area for reform:

• people with disability
• families, carers and kin
• advocates
• service providers
• employers
• unions
• small business
• legal professionals
• education providers
• academia
• the broader community.

There are two ways to contribute to the consultation. There is an issues paper to which you can respond, and a shorter survey. The consultation closes on 24 October 2025. To find out more visit the DDA Review website.

Thank you to Guide Dogs Australia for this article.

Upcoming Conferences

• VISCON 2025 Sydney, Australia, 21-22 August 2025. Remote access to the conference is also available. The program is available from this link.

The VISCON conference will contribute 8.5 PD hours towards COMS recertification with ACVREP.

• National Deafblind Conference 2025: Filling in the Gaps and Joining the Dots: University of Sydney, Australia, 27-28 November 2025.

Attendance is free. For all information and to register to attend online or in person, visit the Conference website.

Please be aware that this conference does not offer COMS credits.

• International O&M Online Symposium: online, worldwide, 28-30 January 2026 (EST).

Early bird registration is now available, and you will earn 18 CEUs (Continuing Education Units).

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

• OMAA Community of Practice Meeting, 19 August 2025, Orientation & Mobility for Children

AEST: 1.30pm – 3:00pm

WA: 11.30am – 1.00pm

QLD: 1.30pm – 3.00pm

NZ: 3.30pm – 5.00pm

Click the link below to take you to the zoom meeting:

https://zoom.us/j/99946030878

Mini-presentations include:

• How to run engaging classroom workshops for different age groups
• Using AI to spark curiosity and build O&M skills
• Mobility aids for little travellers — canes, tips, AMDs, and the “cane belt”
• A bite-sized overview of go-to O&M assessment tools
• Making O&M playful and fun — ideas that kids and you will love
• Supporting children with multiple impairments — getting started with confidence

• Foundations of Orientation and Mobility Series

The AER Orientation & Mobility (O&M) Division is excited to announce a new Webinar Series inspired by the recent release of the fourth edition of our beloved textbook Foundations of Orientation and Mobility, Editors- William Wiener, Robert Wall Emerson, and Bruce Blasch.

This long-anticipated series launches on Thursday, September 4, 2025 (EDT) with a session led by Dr. Wall Emerson. Each session will spotlight the work of a chapter author and/or co-authors, offering deep dives into the essential principles of each chapter.

• Session Format: 60–90 minutes
• Credits: ACVREP credits available (included with AER membership)
• Access: Most sessions will be live and recorded for the AER eLearning platform; some may be pre-recorded and available on-demand
• Q&A Opportunity:  Sessions will offer an opportunity to ask questions of chapter authors. Some sessions will offer a live Q&A, while others will extend the opportunity to follow up with chapter authors via email.

Find out more and register for the first session here.

You can find other PD opportunities at the OMAA website.

Are you hosting or attending an upcoming CPD event? Would you like to be able to earn points towards ACVREP recertification at the same time? Click here to find out how you can register your event.

Job Vacancies

Have you looked at the Job Vacancies page on the OMAA website recently? You’ll find position vacancies listed for various agencies and locations across Australasia so remember to check it out.

ACVREP Resources 

A reminder that you can access free copies of the Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness (JVIB) and the Journal of Special Education via your ACVREP account. Simply log in to My ACVREP and you can access the journals here.

Thanks to Cindy Wilson at Guide Dogs NSW for this reminder!

Other News

• In exciting news for South Australian O&M Specialists and their students, Can:Do 4Kids is creating an innovative Community Outdoor Play and Sensory Area at their Noarlunga Centre. It aims to provide a unique, supportive space for children with sensory and developmental challenges, including those who are blind or have low vision. It will consist of four therapy zones, including an orientation and mobility facility incorporating road safety components. Construction is expected to commence later this year. You can learn more about the project here.
• Big news for footy fans! Telstra has launched an accessible technology system for blind and low vision AFL fans to follow live games by physically feeling every movement, after previously being reliant on sound. The technology translates the movement of the ball on-field to a Touch and Track tablet. Users can then follow the game with their fingers by using a small metal ring on a trackpad that replicates the ball’s movement. Click here to find out more.
• National Gallery of Australia delivers a monthly online program for people who are blind or with low vision. Each session includes audio description of works of art in the NGA’s collection and presentations by specialist staff, along with poetry and music to enhance the listening experience.

Return to OMAA homepage

The post Blog Post; August 2025 first appeared on Orientation and Mobility Association of Australasia.

The key recommendation to O&M Specialists was to prioritise becoming a ROMSA (Registered O&M Specialist in Australasia) as soon as possible.

Click here to read the latest open letter to members

We will continue to communicate and update OMAA membership as we progress.

Yours Sincerely,

Kay Daly

Upcoming Conferences

Blind Citizens Australia (BCA) will be hosting its 50th Anniversary Convention in Melbourne from 13 June to 15 June. You can view the program and register to attend here.

International Guide Dog Federation Conference 2025: Coventry, United Kingdom, 19-22 June 2025

VISCON 2025: Sydney, Australia, 21-22 August 2025. Remote access to the conference is also available. Call for Papers is due 19^th June on the theme “Empowering Every Learner: Technology, Inclusive Resources, Bold Ideas”. It would be wonderful to see presentations from (and for!) O&M Specialists on the conference program. The organising committee would like a presentation on ‘O&M and technology for school aged children’, but any O&M presentation relevant to the theme is welcome. Get involved!

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

Visual Perception Impairments after Brain Injury: what are they and how to assess them? 5-6 August 2025. This two-part series of workshops will provide an overview of visual perception impairments and experience with the Oxford Visual Perception Screen. Presented by Dr Kathleen Vancleef, an Associate Professor in Cognitive Neuroscience at Durham University in the United Kingdom and supported by a National Institute of Health and care Research Advanced Fellowship. This event will contribute 2.5 PD hours towards COMS re-certification with ACVREP. Please see this flyer for more information on this exciting PD opportunity.

The excellent Orientation and Mobility for Individuals with Cognitive Disabilities NextSense Masterclass Series is currently available.

You can find other PD opportunities at the OMAA website.

Are you hosting or attending an upcoming CPD event? Would you like to be able to earn points towards ACVREP recertification at the same time? Click here to find out how you can register your event.

Job Vacancies

Have you looked at the Job Vacancies page on the OMAA website recently? You’ll find position vacancies listed for various agencies and locations across Australasia so remember to check it out.

Technology

An update from HumanWare regarding two new StellarTrek features to enhance independence and mobility.

Other News

• Macular Disease Foundation Australia (MDFA) has outlined new research highlighting the significant impact of vision loss on driving cessation, including the emotional toll due to loss of independence and social isolation. MDFA are available to assist people living with macula disease to navigate their driving cessation journey.
• An insightful article by Nicola McDowell on her personal reflections on O&M and CVI.
• First blind woman to swim English Channel

Return to OMAA homepage

The post Blog Post; May 2025 first appeared on Orientation and Mobility Association of Australasia.

2025 OMAA Conference, 14-15 March 2025, NextSense, Macquarie University, Sydney. click here to take a look at the exciting line-up of speakers and presentations. The program also includes everything you need to know about the conference’s social events, accommodation options, transport, and more.

Still need to register? Head on over to the NextSense website to complete your registration today.

Need any other information? All conference details can be found at the OMAA Conference 2025 webpage.

UNSW launches new Graduate Certificate

University of NSW (UNSW) School of Optometry and Vision has established a new Graduate Certificate in Vision Impairment. The postgraduate program is open to students from all disciplines and has been developed in conjunction with Guide Dogs NSW/ACT. It has been designed to address the needs of an increasing proportion of the Australian and global community living with vision loss.

The aim is to provide students with knowledge and expertise in vision impairment, so they may work effectively in service roles to profoundly enhance the lives of people living with low vision or blindness. The qualification equips students with evidence-based skills that prepare them to address real-world challenges in the field.
Learn more about the course here.

NextSense Masterclass Announcement

Commencing on 10^th February 2025, the Orientation and Mobility for Individuals with Cognitive Disabilities pre-recorded series of modules will focus on information about O&M teaching strategies for individuals who have intellectual or cognitive disabilities. A new module will be released every fortnight.

This series will contribute 9 PD hours towards COMS re-certification with ACVREP as it addresses the Core Domains of the OMAA O&M Framework.

Visit the website for all the details!

O&M Research Update: Vision Rehabilitation International Journal

On behalf of the editorial committee, I am delighted to present to you the 2024 issue of Vision Rehabilitation International Journal.

This year’s edition features four research articles and one editorial on vision rehabilitation services.

Vision Rehabilitation International Journal offers open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of information.

The editorial responsibilities are with the Orientation & Mobility Association of Australasia (OMAA), in collaboration with the International Editorial Advisory Panel. Guide Dogs NSW/ACT is the journal’s current sponsor.

Submissions from the vision rehabilitation field are welcome.

The journal does not have article submission or processing charges (APCs).

Submissions from the vision rehabilitation sector can be sent to visionrehabeditor@gmail.com.

Ewa Borkowski

OMAA PDC Chair

Traveleyes 2025 adventures

Know someone with low vision or blindness who is keen to go on a holiday? Or perhaps you are an O&M Specialist, and you’d like to attend a Traveleyes trip as a guide?  Read the first Traveleyes blog post of 2025 and sign up for their newsletter to receive all the information on upcoming adventures!

Other News

Study finds sleep apnoea link to wet Macular Degeneration.

US agency spending $195m on developing first-ever whole eye transplant.

Return to OMAA homepage

The post Blog Post; February 2025 first appeared on Orientation and Mobility Association of Australasia.

The OMAA PDC Survey 2024 to identify the CPD needs for 2025 is now open! If you would like to inform OMAA of your professional development needs just complete the survey. It will only take 10 minutes!

Ewa Borkowski – PDC OMAA Chair

Enrolments for the 2025 Graduate Diploma of O&M are now open

The only program of its kind in Australia, the 1-year Graduate Diploma in Orientation and Mobility prepares graduates for enriching careers in the provision of Orientation & Mobility (O&M) services. You’ll be equipped with the specialised knowledge, critical and analytical skills, and extensive industry experiences needed to make an impact across a diverse range of O&M organisations.

Admission into the UNSW Graduate Diploma of O&M for 2025 closes 15 October 2024.

Please refer to this flyer for more information. Please share with any friends or colleagues who may be interested in pursuing a career in Orientation & Mobility.

Scholarship Opportunity

Guide Dogs SA/NT are currently offering a scholarship opportunity for the Graduate Diploma in Orientation & Mobility at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) during 2025. Click on this link to find out more. Applications close 16 September 2024.

Next Community of Practice meeting announced!

Community of Practice Workshop 4: All Things Access + New Developments in Canes & Tips. Join us for the last Community of Practice of 2024 on Tuesday 29^th October 2024 at 1.30pm – 3:00pm AEST. Angela Reynolds and Karen Carrigan from Guide Dogs NSW/ACT will give us the lowdown on access, and Helen Humme from Guide Dogs Victoria will highlight new developments in canes and tips. Please click here for more information.

New Position Document now available on the OMAA website

The OMAA Executive Committee recently published a position document on the Distribution of Long Canes. This document can be accessed via the OMAA website here, or by clicking this link.

ACVREP needs your input on a possible new Certificant benefit

ACVREP have received numerous requests from certificants who are interested in opportunities for mentoring and peer interactions. Additionally, certificants, consumers and referral sources have expressed a desire to easily locate and connect with certified professionals within their geographic areas.

In response to this feedback, ACVREP are exploring the possibility of adding an opt-in feature to the current certificant directory which would allow certificants to choose to have additional information listed in the directory in addition to the current listing of name, state and status. This will make it easier for peers, consumers, and referral sources to find and connect with you based on your location and services offered.

To ensure this potential feature meets your needs and preferences, ACVREP have created a quick  3 question survey to gather your input.

JSPEVI Call for Papers Reminder

The Journal of the South Pacific Educators in Vision Impairment (JSPEVI) is now accepting submissions for its upcoming issue. We invite you to contribute original manuscripts, reports, and news items for both refereed and non-refereed sections.

We welcome submissions on a wide range of topics related to the education of persons who are blind or have low vision, including but not limited to:

– Original research studies with practical applications

– Literature and book reviews

– Conceptual, policy, or position papers

– Descriptions or evaluations of innovative curricula, programs, or educational models

– Letters to the Editor

JSPEVI provides a platform for sharing knowledge, best practices, and innovative ideas in the field of education for students who are blind or have low vision. Your contribution can help advance our understanding and improve educational outcomes for these students.

JSPEVI has recently entered into a partnership with Informit. Informit provides a robust platform that connects publications to a vast network of researchers, educators, and libraries across Australia and New Zealand, as well as globally. This partnership increases discoverability through major academic databases and discovery services, ensuring that content reaches a diverse audience.

Don’t miss this opportunity to share your expertise with colleagues across the South Pacific region and beyond.

For submission guidelines, please visit: https://www.spevi.net/jspevi/

Dr Bronwen Scott

Editor – JSPEVI

Upcoming Conferences and Information Days

• Save Sight Institute’s 12th Annual Community Information Day, 16 November 2024, University of Sydney. Registrations are now open for this in-person event designed for individuals with low vision or blindness, their caregivers, and educators.

• SPEVI conference, 13-15 January 2025, University of Southern Queensland, Brisbane. Conference delivery both online and in person. Check out the dedicated website to keep up to date with the conference program as it evolves. If you’re not yet a member of SPEVI, join now and enjoy discounted registration fees to the conference and other SPEVI events and activities. Early bird and member only registration rates are available until October.
• 2025 OMAA Conference, 14-15 March 2025, NextSense, Macquarie University, Sydney. Registrations are open for OMAA Conference 2025! If you have any questions, please email pdc@omaaustralasia.com

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

You can find other PD opportunities at the OMAA website: https://www.omaaustralasia.com/resources/professional-development/

Are you hosting or attending an upcoming CPD event? Would you like to be able to earn points towards ACVREP recertification at the same time? Click here to find out how you can register your event.

Job Vacancies

Have you looked at the Job Vacancies page on the OMAA website recently? You’ll find position vacancies listed for various agencies and locations across Australasia so remember to check it out.

Other News

• In wonderful news, the AppleVis website is set to re-open, after partnering with the team at Be My Eyes!
• The Australian Government Department of Education has published new information resources on the Disability Standards for Education for students with disabilities and their parents and caregivers. The new resources were created by students with disabilities and their parents and caregivers, with help from Children and Young People with Disability Australia (CYDA). The new resources include information on how to advocate, how to raise concerns and resolve a complaint with your school, and how to be a disability ally. The resources can be found on the Department of Education website.
• The first blind Barbie doll is now available in Australia. The doll was developed with the American Foundation for the Blind, is dressed in clothing with tactile fabric detailing, and holds a white and red cane.
• NextSense (previously known as Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children) has opened a new centre at Macquarie University in Sydney.
• Three clinicians set up Eyes of Hope to help people experiencing homelessness in Sydney receive eye care.

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The post Blog Post; September 2024 first appeared on Orientation and Mobility Association of Australasia.

The Australian Government will mandate Acoustic Vehicle Alerting Systems (AVAS) on electric vehicles. AVAS is a safety alert or sound, emitted when an electric vehicle is travelling at low speeds in car parks, intersections, and driveways.
The new Australian Design Rule (ADR) will require new electric, hybrid and hydrogen fuel cell cars, trucks and buses to be fitted with an AVAS from November 2025. This is a huge win for the blind and low vision community who have campaigned strongly for the introduction of this technology, in order to make pedestrian safety a priority. You can read more here.

Reform of Disability Standards for Public Transport

The Federal Government has announced the reform to disability standards to help make public transport more accessible, including for people with low vision and blindness. Read the summary of decision here.

Help test the new Hailo app

The Hailo app is being trialled in NSW as part of the Transport for NSW Bus Boarding Assistant Innovation Challenge. Using the Hailo app, commuters can:

• Alert bus drivers in advance that they are waiting to be picked up.
• Communicate their accessibility requirements.
• Let drivers know where they want to be dropped off.
• Receive live status updates during their trip.

The information is sent to the driver via an alert, so commuters don’t have to worry about being left behind or dropped off at the incorrect stop, allowing them to use public transport more confidently.

Current bus routes using the Hailo App as part of the trial include:

• Sydney – B-Line service
• Queanbeyan – all services
• Tweed Heads – all services
• Canberra – all services operated by CDC Buses

If you are interested in helping make public transport accessible for everyone, sign up for the Hailo pilot.

For more information about Hailo, the pilot, or to get in contact, please visit www.hailo.co or email info@hailo.co.

Upcoming Conferences 

CVI Conference: Building Meaningful Recognition, 23 June 2024, Boston. Presented by Perkins School for the Blind. Can’t get to Boston? You can pay for recordings of the plenary sessions (about 5 and a half hours of content). Read more about the conference here.

Australasian CHARGE Syndrome Conference, 23 – 25 August, 2024, Sydney Olympic Park. Visit the CHARGE Syndrome website for more information.

SPEVI conference, 13-15 January 2025, University of Southern Queensland, Brisbane. Conference delivery both online and in person. Check out the dedicated website to keep up to date with the conference program as it evolves and to submit your abstract. Abstracts will be accepted until 30 August 2024. If you’re not yet a member of SPEVI, join now and enjoy discounted registration fees to the conference and other SPEVI events and activities

2025 OMAA Conference, 14-15 March 2025, NextSense Macquarie University, Sydney. Early Bird Registration is now open and the Call for Papers has been announced! Check out the Conference webpage for more details.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

If you attended the ‘Me and Rick’ SPEVI symposium on 14 May 2024 you are eligible to receive 1 credit point. You simply need to email OMAA PDC (pdc@omaaustralasia.com) and provide evidence of attendance (from SPEVI) and then you will be issued with a certificate. Thank you to Ewa Borkowski from Guide Dogs NSW/ACT for this notification.

The third OMAA Community of Practice meeting for 2024 is titled ‘O&M in Far-Flung Places’ and is scheduled for Tuesday 30th July. Please visit the CoP webpage for more details.

If you missed the second 2024 CoP session ‘How to Write an Abstract and Present a Quality Conference Presentation’ presented by Dr Nicola McDowell, you can access the recording here. Use passcode 8n+x2DpP This session also featured an update from the Professional Standards Committee. Thank you to Alicia San Martin from Guide Dogs Victoria for providing this recording link.

You can find other PD opportunities at the OMAA website: https://www.omaaustralasia.com/resources/professional-development/

Are you hosting or attending an upcoming CPD event? Would you like to be able to earn points towards ACVREP recertification at the same time? Click here to find out how you can register your event.

Job Vacancies

Have you looked at the Job Vacancies page on the OMAA website recently? You’ll find position vacancies listed for various agencies and locations across Australasia so remember to check it out.

Other News

• UTS and Guide Dogs NSW/ACT develop future mobility tech.
• Could AI replace the Guide Dog?
• A new book “The Cane Kids: Everett and Willow’s Journey in Navigating Legal Blindness” is available. Order your copy here.

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The post Blog Post; June 2024 first appeared on Orientation and Mobility Association of Australasia.

Save the date for these two conferences, with more information to come.

2025 SPEVI conference, 13-15 January 2025, University of Southern Queensland, Brisbane. Conference delivery: hybrid (both online and face to face.)

2025 OMAA Conference, 14-15 March 2025, Macquarie University, Sydney.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

Are you hosting or attending an upcoming CPD event? Would you like to be able to earn points towards ACVREP recertification at the same time? Click here to find out how you can register your event.

Community of Practice Meetings

Our first meeting for the year was delivered on February 27 by the wonderful Jenny Black on the topic of Posterior Cortical Atrophy. If you weren’t able to join us for this deep dive into an ABI case study, the meeting recording is now available here. Please save the date for the next Community of Practice Meeting: Tuesday 30 April 2024.

Job Vacancies

Have you looked at the Job Vacancies page on the OMAA website recently? You’ll find position vacancies listed for various agencies and locations across Australasia so remember to check it out.

Inherited Retinal Disease Patient and Family Day, Sydney

A day designed for individuals and families living with an Inherited Retinal Disease to learn about current research and advanced therapies from experts in the field, connect with others, and share experiences.
When: Saturday 23rd March 2024, 9am to 4pm
Where: Aerial UTS Function Centre Building 10, Level 7, 235 Jones Street, Ultimo NSW
Cost: Free

Patients and families can register to attend here.

Technology

Sunu, makers of the Sunu Band mobility aid, have ceased operations. The product has been unavailable for some time and it will not return to market. If you are working with anyone who uses the Sunu Band, Sunu states that the app will continue to work. However, hardware repairs or replacements will not be possible.  Thank you to Ben Moxey from Guide Dogs NSW/ACT for this information.

Survey

Save Sight Institute invite you to complete a short survey for their upcoming Mentorship Initiative, starting in 2024.  This program aims to support, encourage, and educate youth and young adults with vision conditions, as they navigate through the education system and into the workforce. Whether you are a person with vision impairment, a parent, or educator, Save Sight Institute would love to hear your ideas and feedback on how this program can be shaped.

For more information please contact Lorraine Villaret
(02) 9382 7300
ssi.pcc@sydney.edu.au

Other News

A $2.9 million funding injection from the Federal Government will support the rollout of a new saliva-based genetic test for glaucoma in Australia.

Vision 2020 Australia has launched a new cross-discipline working group to bring together three of Australia’s national eye health professional organisations for a focus on collaborative care models in paediatric eyecare.

The Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA) and World Health Organization (WHO) have developed an app to allow people to test their vision from home.

Glaucoma Australia announces SiGHTWiSE, the new name of its patient support program.

Specsavers and Vision Australia in new low vision partnership.

Be My Eyes wins Best App in the AppleVis Golden Apple Awards, awarded by blind and low vision users of Apple products.   

In case you missed it, make sure you catch the brilliant mini-series adaptation of the bestselling novel ‘All The Light We Cannot See’ by Anthony Doerr.  The Netflix adaptation was released in November 2023, and features talented blind actors. Read an LA Times review here.

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The post Blog Post; March 2024 first appeared on Orientation and Mobility Association of Australasia.

Know someone who may be interested in a career in O&M? Enrolments for the 2024 intake of the Graduate Diploma of Orientation and Mobility are now open. Please refer to the information on this flyer or read more at the UNSW website.  Admissions close 15 October 2023.

Notice of OMAA AGM 2023 – Wed 8th November

We, the OMAA Executive, are calling all members and stakeholders to invest in Orientation and Mobility to profile and work together to raise awareness and knowledge about our profession.  The OMAA Executive requests members to consider contacting the Committee Chairs or info@omaaustralasia.com to become involved in projects such as advocacy to NDIS; review of our website; FAQ sheet review and so on. OMAA IS its members.

I invite you to attend the Annual General Meeting to show solidarity for O&M:

• Wednesday 8th November 2023

• Western Australia: 10:00am – 11:00am AWST
• Northern Territory: 11:30am – 12:30pm ACST
• Queensland: 12:00pm – 1:00pm AEST
• South Australia: 12:30pm – 1:30pm ACDT
• NSW/ ACT/ Vic/ Tas: 1:00pm – 2:00pm AEDT
• New Zealand: 3:00pm – 4:00pm NZDT

Event time zone converter

An AGM package of documents and Zoom invitation will be sent to all current members shortly.

Regards,

Kay Daly

OMAA President

Upcoming Conferences 

VISCON 2023, 19-20 October 2023, Macquarie University, Sydney.

Presented by NextSense Institute, this conference for vision education and service specialists will be held at their new location at Macquarie University. Read the conference program here. If you are unable to attend the conference, you can purchase a Digital Access ticket which will give you access to conference recordings. For more information and registration, visit the NextSense website.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

Are you hosting or attending an upcoming CPD event? Would you like to be able to earn points towards ACVREP recertification at the same time? Click here to find out how you can register your event.

Job Vacancies

Have you looked at the Job Vacancies page on the OMAA website recently? You’ll find position vacancies listed for various agencies and locations across Australasia so remember to check it out.

Technology news

SoundScape returns! Thanks to the Scottish Tech Army, SoundScape has returned to the App Store in its original form.

Many of you will recall that Microsoft discontinued SoundScape and removed it from the App Store last year. However, they did make the code freely available for developers to use. Since then, we’ve seen some clones, but this one is identical. Simply search the App Store for SoundScape or tap this link from your iPhone.

Important: Anyone who downloaded the original SoundScape from Microsoft may still have it on their iPhone. Microsoft ended support for this app on 30 June, 2023. It will continue to work offline, but we do not recommend using this version. We suggest removing the original to avoid confusion.

If you’re interested in the background (and love a good nerdy AT podcast), check out this episode of the Double Tap podcast: Exclusive: SoundScape is Back (Double Tap podcast)

Thanks to Ben Moxey, Access and Technology Advisor at Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, for the above news item.

Research Invitation

Parents of children with low vision or blindness were recently invited to participate in a survey about their playground experience. The Accessible Playground Research Group is now extending their invitation to all practitioners who support children with low vision or blindness to have their say and share their experiences.  If you would like to participate in this important study, please use the following link to complete the survey: Enabling Accessible and Inclusive Playgrounds

Other News

• Vision 2020 Australia has launched a new Mental Wellbeing Resources Guide which compiles services and supports that are available to people who are blind or have low vision. It includes a list of resources for both crisis and voluntary support, as well as resources from organisations associated with eye care service delivery, low vision rehabilitation and mainstream mental health services. You can access the Mental Wellbeing Resource Guide here.

• Nominations are now open for the Blind Australian of the Year Awards which actively promote the contribution that people who live with low vision and blindness make to Australian society through the business, government, corporate, health, education and community sectors. Nominations close 1^st October 2023. Click here for more information and to nominate.

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The post Blog Post; September 2023 first appeared on Orientation and Mobility Association of Australasia.