Transition to Independence: O&M Modules Which Contribute to Independent Travel on a College Campus

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Description

This project will develop online modules in support of students with Orientation and Mobility needs. Through the proposed online modules, students will begin developing a plan of action to identify and locate existing services on campus (including support services for individuals with disabilities and virtual open houses, orientations, and tours) that can be utilized to address Orientation and Mobility needs. The proposed modules will facilitate developing specific O&M skills/concepts that contribute to independent travel on a college campus.

Specific Orientation and Mobility skills/concepts will include:

Route‐planning to address problems of accessibility and safety.
Construction of cognitive maps using a range of media, tools, and information gathering techniques.
Conceptual knowledge of campus layouts for landmarking and orientation purposes.
Identification and location of key offices/locations (e.g., financial aid, registrar, library, transportation hub, OSD, technology labs, food services, public safety services, housing, etc.) and other points of interest.
Soliciting assistance and information from the public when necessary, to complete Orientation and Mobility specific goals.

This is an opportunity to shape and further develop this version as well as future iterations of the project by providing practitioner feedback and expert critical analysis.

Learning objectives:

Participants will learn about the pilot version of this grant‐supported O&M project.
Participants will: learn how future iterations of the project may benefit their own transition‐age students.
Participants will shape and guide the completion of the pilot project through a guided discussion.
Participants will provide support in the form of feedback and critical analysis of the project.

This session is presented by Dr. Nicholas Casias.

Contributors

Dr. Nicholas Casias

Dr. Nicholas Casias serves as Assistant Professor in the Orientation and Mobility Program in the Division of Special Education & Counseling. Dr. Casias is a certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist and holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of La Verne. His dissertation, The Roles and Responsibilities of Paraprofessionals Who Work with Students with Visual Impairments in Public Schools, has been used as a framework for professional development for O&M practitioners in school settings and pre-service training in university personnel preparation. He is the Board President of the Southern California Association of Orientation and Mobility Specialists and is engaged with local, regional, and national issues in the O&M field. Dr. Casias has extensive K-12 public school experience as an O&M specialist and has held a Clinical Rehabilitative Services credential in Orientation and Mobility since 2011. In addition to his work with K-12 students, Dr. Casias has experience as a clinical supervisor for O&M credential candidates at both Portland State University and Cal State LA.