Vision and orientation & mobility

NDIS Capacity Building support

Support for people who are blind or have low vision, including orientation and mobility training to travel safely and independently, along with skills for everyday life.

The short answer

Support for people who are blind or have low vision, including orientation and mobility training to travel safely and independently, and skills for everyday life.

About Vision and orientation & mobility

Orientation and mobility instructors teach people who are blind or have low vision how to understand where they are and move safely. Training might cover using a long cane, learning routes, crossing roads, using public transport and using technology such as navigation apps.

Support goes beyond travel. Vision-related supports can include everyday living skills such as cooking, organising your home, using assistive technology, reading and writing in different formats and building confidence to do things independently.

The right support depends on your vision, your goals and your environment. Instructors work with you in the places you use, such as your home, neighbourhood, school or workplace. Ask about their qualifications, experience with your situation and how they measure progress.

Who is this service for?

People who are blind or have low vision and want to travel safely and independently and build everyday skills.

What a typical session looks like

An orientation and mobility specialist helps people who are blind or have low vision to move safely and independently. In a session, they may teach you how to use a white cane, how to find your way around your home or neighbourhood, how to cross roads, use public transport and travel to new places.

Sessions take place where you will be travelling, so you practise real routes and situations. The specialist starts with simple tasks and builds up, giving you techniques such as using landmarks, sounds and touch. They also advise on lighting, contrast and safety at home and at work.

Who delivers this support

Orientation and mobility specialists are trained professionals, and there are vision organisations that provide these services. Other professionals, such as occupational therapists and low vision specialists, also help with vision needs. Ask about experience with your kind of vision loss and whether they can work in the places you need to travel.

How to choose a provider

Questions to ask a provider

Common mistakes to avoid

Getting started

  1. Think about the places and journeys you want to manage independently.
  2. Contact instructors and describe your vision and goals.
  3. Book an assessment.
  4. Practise between sessions and review progress.

How it fits with the rest of your plan

This support links with vision equipment, transport, community access and independent living skills. It is also helpful to work with other people who are blind or have low vision, through peer groups and organisations. Reviews are useful when your vision or your travel needs change.

Eligibility

You can use NDIS funding for Vision and orientation & mobility if it is included in your NDIS plan. The NDIS funds supports that are reasonable and necessary: they relate to your disability, help you pursue your goals and represent value for money. Not sure whether it is in your plan? Check your plan, or ask your planner, Local Area Coordinator or support coordinator. You can also arrange it privately.

Funding

Capacity Building supports help you build skills and independence. If Vision and orientation & mobility is in your plan, it is normally paid from a Capacity Building budget. These budgets are usually set for particular types of support, so check which one your plan uses. Many NDIS supports have price limits, so ask providers for a quote and check it against the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits. Whether your plan is managed by the NDIA, by a plan manager or by you, ask for a written quote and a service agreement before you start. If your plan is plan-managed or self-managed you can use providers who are not registered with the NDIS. If it is NDIA-managed you generally need a registered provider.

What it costs

Supports such as Vision and orientation & mobility that are funded by the NDIS are paid at rates that follow the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits, which the NDIA reviews regularly. Many items have a maximum price, and some prices are higher in remote areas. Before you start, ask for a written quote that lists each support, the hours and the price, and check it against the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits on the NDIS website. A provider may charge less than a limit. If you pay privately, the provider sets its own fees. Plan-managed and self-managed participants can also use providers who are not registered, and those providers set their own prices.

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Frequently asked questions

What is orientation and mobility training?

Training that helps people who are blind or have low vision understand their surroundings and travel safely, for example learning routes, using a cane and crossing roads.

Who teaches orientation and mobility?

Orientation and mobility specialists, who are trained to teach these skills. Ask about their qualifications and experience.

Can it help with skills at home?

Yes. Support often includes everyday living skills, such as cooking, using technology and organising your home.

Do I need to be totally blind to benefit?

No. Support suits people with a range of vision loss, including low vision.

Can children receive orientation and mobility training?

Yes. Instructors work with children as well as adults.

Is training available in regional areas?

It varies. Ask providers about visiting services.

What will I learn in orientation and mobility sessions?

It teaches people who are blind or have low vision how to know where they are and how to travel safely, using skills such as cane use and route planning.

Can I get training in my own neighbourhood?

Yes, and it is best done where you actually travel. Ask the specialist to visit your area.

Do I need to be completely blind to receive this support?

No. People with a range of vision loss can benefit, including those with low vision.

Can I use my NDIS plan to pay for Vision and orientation & mobility?

If Vision and orientation & mobility is in your NDIS plan and is reasonable and necessary for you, then yes. Check with your planner, Local Area Coordinator or support coordinator. You can also arrange it privately.

How do I find a Vision and orientation & mobility provider near me?

Browse providers on SolDirectory, or send a free enquiry with your location and what you need and suitable providers will review it. Then ask each one about availability, a quote and a service agreement before you decide. Details come from providers and registers, so confirm them directly.

Sources and further reading

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