The aim of the programme is to prepare professionals to teach indoor and outdoor orientation and mobility skills to adolescents and adults with blindness or visual impairment.

Speciality of the post-graduate programme:

This programme provides students with a complex knowledge of the aspects of orientation and mobility instruction. Study areas include the causes and incidence of visual impairment, the assessment and development of functional vision, the tools of optical rehabilitation, and understanding the psychological effects of visual impairment (whether congenital or acquired later in life) and the recognition of crises. Basic knowledge of the ergonomics of equal access is also essential. As a facilitator, the professional must be aware of the role of the specialist, the social processes affecting individuals with blindness or visual impairment, and the legal environment, including the principles and regulations prescribed in ratified international documents.

Competencies to be acquired during the training:

Upon completion of the programme, students will gain the following competencies:

Knowledge:

• Familiarity with the fundamental theoretical concepts related to visual impairment (European prevalence, WHO definitions, major eye diseases, visual functions, functional vision assessment, and optics).
• An understanding of the movement and orientation of people with blindness or visual impairment, including individuals with multiple disabilities and visual impairment, in space.
• An ability to assess client’s prior knowledge, physical status (e.g. endurance, balance), mental performance (e.g. ability to memorise routes), and psychological status (e.g. whether client is in a crisis due to visual impairment).
• Is aware of the methods of teaching safe and independent indoor and outdoor orientation and mobility with the long white cane to blind and visually impaired persons of various ages, with a focus on adolescents and adults).
• Is familiar with additional assistive devices that complement long white cane use (e.g., GPS applications, guide dogs) and is able to evaluate whether any of these are beneficial for the client.
• Effectively adapts knowledge to the client’s condition, individual needs, and abilities.
• Understands the benefits and rules of teamwork and is aware of personal competencies and competence limits.

Skills:

• Can assess the client’s abilities and prior knowledge regarding orientation and mobility.
• Adapts the pace of instruction and teaching strategies to the client’s visual performance, individual needs, and condition.
• Tailors communication and the method of knowledge transfer to the client’s prior knowledge, condition, and individual needs.
• Develops an “individual long-term care and life plan” in cooperation with the client, their family, and the supporting team.

Attitude:

• Is open and accepting of the client’s (and their family’s) individual needs, abilities, and condition.
• Flexibly adjusts the teaching process according to the client’s individual needs, abilities, and condition.
• Maintains a positive attitude towards the client.
• Sets realistic and high expectations for blind and visually impaired clients.
• Is solution-oriented and creative throughout the entire teaching process.

Autonomy and Responsibility:

• Guarantees the client’s safety during instruction while promoting their independence and self-efficacy.
• Works independently while making decisions in cooperation with the client and the supporting team (including family members if applicable).
• Takes responsibility for thoroughly understanding the process of teaching orientation and mobility, mastering its methods and techniques to ensure that persons with blindness or visual impairment are later taught independently, professionally, and safely.
• Understands and adheres to personal competency boundaries and is open to professional collaboration with representatives of other disciplines.

Training specialist:

Dr Judit Gombás, PhD, Associate Professor

Name of the qualification obtained upon completion of the post-graduate Programme

• Orientation and Mobility Instructor for Individuals with Blindness or Visual Impairment

Duration of the course in semesters

• 2 semesters

Form of study

• Correspondence training (hybrid programme, combining online and on-campus courses, at Eötvös Loránd University Bárczi Gusztáv Faculty of Special Needs Education

Programme Schedule:

Autumn semester:

Online lessons during September and November (8 X 5 lessons on Friday afternoon or Saturday morning),
On-site lessons in October from Friday to next Saturday (no lessons on Saturday afternoon and Sunday).

Spring semester:

Online lessons during February and April (5 X 5 lessons on Friday afternoon or Saturday morning),
On-site lessons in March from Friday to next Saturday (no lessons on Saturday afternoon and Sunday).

Financing

• Self-financed

Tuition fee per student per semester

•    3700 EUR/student/semester

(the above fee does not cover any travel or lodging costs)

Admission requirements

• Minimum bachelor’s degree (BA/BSc) in any field of study
• At least two years of work or other personal experience with individuals with blindness or visual impairment

Selection of students:

Candidates are required to sit an online, oral admission exam. Programme participants are selected along the following criteria:

• Candidate shows sufficient experience in working with individuals with BVI,
• Candidate shows full respect, openness and acceptance towards people with BVI, and towards human diversity, 
• Candidate expresses full awareness of why orientation and mobility are essential skills of self-sufficient and independent persons with BVI,
• Candidate clearly explains why he/she seeks to become an instructor of orientation and mobility.
• Candidate is able to express the above issues in English and is familiar with the professional vocabulary of visual impairment and disability  
• Professional characteristics of the programme, areas of study leading to the qualification, credit units the programme is comprised of

Foundational study track: 30 credits

Modern Disability Studies, International Law, Psychology, Basics of Visual Impairment, Comprehensive Assessment, and Rehabilitation of Persons with visual impairment

Method-specific study track: 25 credits

Theory, Special Methodology, and Practice of Orientation and Mobility Training for Persons with visual impairment

Thesis: 5 credits

Total number of credits: 60 credits

Teaching Practice

Thesis preparation guide

Founding Faculty Members of the Training:

Judit Gombás PhD	Beáta Prónay	Ágnes Somorjai