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Overview

Orientation and Mobility (O&M) is the practice of enabling people with low vision or who are blind to know where they are, where they want to go and how to travel there in a safe manner. O&M specialists work with people of all ages, tailoring interventions to suit the needs … For more content click the Read More button below.  

Learning Outcomes

1.
Understand and critically analyse theories of Orientation and Mobility practice using primary and secondary resources and evidence
  • Scholars
2.
Design, prepare and teach Orientation and Mobility skills and techniques
  • Scholars
3.
Develop communication and collaboration skills to work with clients and other disability and health professionals
  • Professionals
  • Global citizens
4.
Develop, implement and critically appraise Orientation and Mobility interventions using appropriate concepts, theories and evidence.
  • Professionals
  • Scholars
5.
Develop and critically evaluate new ideas, challenge current thinking and practices and create solutions to evolve the profession
  • Leaders
6.
Deliver client focused services with an ethical and culturally aware lens, and understand the wider personal ecosystem that impacts delivering Orientation and Mobility services
  • Professionals
  • Scholars
  • Global citizens

Graduate Capabilities

For more information on Graduate Capabilities please click on this link

Program Structure

Students must complete 48 UOC when taken as a standalone program.

This is an intensive full-time program. Only in exceptional circumstances will students be allowed to enroll in a reduced program. Students should take all courses in sequential order.

Students will be required to complete work experience including placements in agencies providing O&M services (not for profit and private practice). It also involves introduction to the wider sector by allowing observation placements in health facilities, education settings and other relevant services. In order to comply with organisational requirements students will need to have a Working With Children Check (WWCC), criminal history check and abide by the immunisation and safety protocols from the relevant health authorities for students in training. Requirements will be outlined specially to students when placements are secured for that student. The cost associated with this work experience will be met by the student.

Please Note: Students will need to demonstrate competence in the initial blind mobility skill set and visual strategies, and demonstrate the mechanics of teaching them (practical components in VISN5512 and VISN5521) before commencing a work integrated (WIL) learning placement. 

Core Courses48 Units of Credit:

Program Constraints

Information Rule

Enrolment Disclaimer

Please note that this Handbook is a comprehensive catalogue of our offerings and includes courses that can be taken to satisfy program requirements irrespective as to their availability for a particular year. Availability of courses is best checked using filters on this site or on the class timetable site.

You are responsible for ensuring that you enrol in courses according to your program requirements and by following the advice of your Program Authority. myUNSW enrolment checks that you have met enrolment requirements such as pre-requisites for individual courses but not that you are enrolling in courses that will count towards your program requirements.

Admission Requirements

Entry Requirements

Minimum Entry Requirements

For more information about admission requirements for various UNSW programs, visit the following website(s):
Domestic Students
International Student

Program Requirements

Participation and Enrolment Requirements

Criminal records check

Medical assessment

Working with Children Check

Internship, Placement and Exchange Opportunities

A major component of this program is opportunities for supervised work integrated learning and external placements. Opportunities will be in the form of workplace placements in orientation and mobility services at industry partners. These industry partners will provide a network of suitability trained national and international specialists that are ‘certified orientation and mobility specialists' having met the requirements of the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP). Students  will be assessed using a combination of written reports, supervisor’s marks, and importantly meeting competency standards which will be documented using an e-portfolio. 

Compulsory Training Component

Students will be assessed as graduate level competent to graduate from this program. Where competent, students can accrue any extra ‘instructional’ hours required by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP) for COMS certification after graduation from UNSW.

Progression Requirements

For more information on university policy on progression requirements please visit Academic Progression

Associated Programs

Nested Postgraduate Program

Graduate Certificate in Vision Impairment - GradCertVI7431 - Vision Impairment

Program Fees

At UNSW fees are generally charged at course level and therefore dependent upon individual enrolment and other factors such as student's residency status. For generic information on fees and additional expenses of UNSW programs, click on one of the following:

Domestic Students
Commonwealth Supported Students (if applicable)
International Students

Additional Expenses and Resources

Students will be required to complete work experience. The cost associated with this work experience will be met by the student.

Pre-2019 Handbook Editions

Access past handbook editions (2018 and prior)
Pre-2019 Handbook Editions