Orientation & Mobility Program

A student with a white cane is wearing a blindfold, walking on the sidewalk. Behind her is the instructor, also with a white cane.

Orientation & Mobility is a two-week residential training course designed for individuals who are blind or visually impaired who wish to learn white cane travel, improve upon existing cane and traveling skills, and further their goal of becoming independent.

Pilot Dogs provides round-trip transportation, room and board, and a white cane.

Our Certified Orientation & Mobility instructors teach concepts and techniques necessary for travel through any environmental condition and situation. Students will learn how to use their senses to determine their position within the environment and techniques for safe movement from one place to another.

Lessons include:

    Human guide technique

    Upper and lower body protective techniques

    Squaring off and trailing

    White cane techniques

    Cardinal directions (north, south, east, and west)

    An opportunity to walk with a Pilot Dog

    For those individuals with some remaining vision, a sleep shade will be provided during some lessons to improve non-visual skills.

Real-world applications include:

    Crossing streets in residential, commercial, and urban areas

    Crossing streets with simple and complex light-controlled intersections

    Traveling in areas with no sidewalks

    Soliciting information in stores

    Navigating driveways and parking lots

    Riding public transportation

    Learning how to use APS (Accessible Pedestrian Signals)

 

Your Stay at Pilot Dogs

Qualified students enrolled in the Orientation & Mobility course will spend two weeks in residence at Pilot Dogs.

Accommodations

  • Our rooms are simple and comfortable, complete with a queen bed, storage space, a TV, and wireless internet. Linens and towels are provided.
  • We have an exercise room, laundry room, and laundry service for linens and towels.
  • A braille writer and CCTV are always available.
  • Home-cooked meals are provided in our 421 Bistro, and our dining staff is accommodating to different dietary needs; additionally, we have a soda machine, snack/candy machine, refrigerator, microwave, and coffee. 
  • Visitors are welcome on a limited basis. Mail is always welcome and a telephone is available for calls.
  • Smoking is permitted in designated areas only.

Daily Schedule

  • The day begins at 6:00 a.m. and breakfast is at 7:00 a.m.
  • Class starts at 8:00 a.m. with 2-3 lessons in the morning.
  • Lunch is at noon, with class resuming at 1:00 p.m. There are 2-3 lessons in the afternoon.
A student in a yellow jacket stands blindfolded on the sidewalk while the instructor adjusts how she holds her white cane.
O&M APPLICATION

If you are having issues completing the online application, please send us a message or give us a call and we'll be happy to help!