Butte County Special Education - Orientation & Mobility Services

Orientation & Mobility Services

MISSION

The mission of the Orientation & Mobility program is to provide individualized instruction to students, as well as support for families and educational staff, to meet each student’s needs for safely and efficiently engaging in home, school, and community settings.

VISION

All students will realize their full potential for independent living, educational and career-oriented pursuits, and engagement in their communities.

who we are

Butte County Office of Education Orientation & Mobility Specialists have post-graduate level university training in visual functioning and adaptive strategies/technologies. specialists hold a master’s degree in Special Education, with a concentration in Orientation & Mobility for Persons with Blindness or Visual Impairment. Specialists also hold a Clinical/Rehabilitative Services credential in the area of Orientation &
Mobility through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

who we serve

The Orientation & Mobility program provides services to children and students with visual impairments between the ages of infant to 22 years. Students may be eligible for Orientation & Mobility services when adaptive strategies and/or equipment are needed to compensate for limitations in visual functioning.

what we do

Orientation & Mobility services focus on delivery of the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) for children and students with visual impairments. ECC is used to identify and meet needs in additional subject areas, aside from the standard academic curriculum,
that a student with a visual impairment may require in order to maximize safety and independence.

Depending upon each student’s individual needs, an Orientation & Mobility Specialist may provide 1:1 instruction directly to the student in the areas of:

Travel skills for safe, efficient movement in a variety of settings while maintaining awareness of one’s own position within the surrounding environment.
Social interaction skills.
Independent living skills.
Introduction and access to adapted sports, recreation & leisure activities.
Transition-to-adult-living skills, including connection to college and vocational programs.
Assistive technologies for persons
with visual impairments.

Frequently Asked Questions

STEPS FOR REFERRAL

Cover letter to include:

Student information
Background information
Reason for Referral
Narrative of services, supports and pre-referral interventions

Current School Assesment Reports (within ONE year), including:

Psychoeducational (must include autism related assessments)
Speech/Language assessments (must include assessments related to pragmatics, expressive/receptive language development and social-skills)
Academic Performance
Health
Other Related Services Reports (OT, PT, etc...)
Current IEP which clearly makes a referral to the STRIVE Program and is signed in consent to placement by the parent (District will have previously consulted with STRIVE program manager).
Behavior Intervention Plan as appropriate
Updated Progress Report(s) on goals
Data related to student behavior, communication, etc.
Any other information that the team considers relevant.