Orientation and mobility services

Your confidence will soar as a result of being confident in your orientation and mobility. This is because it is important for your well-being to be able to explore your surroundings. Accessing mobility services depend on your circumstances. This is because it is different for those who use guide dogs and those who do not. If you are a guide dog user or in the process of applying for a guide dog, you will receive your training from Guide Dogs UK. If you are not a guide dog user and require mobility training, contact your local authority. The responsibility for orientation and mobility training usually lies with your local authority. This is as a result of the Care Act 2014 which made it their statutory obligation. However, there are some circumstances where you may require a freelance mobility trainer. This could apply if you are living somewhere temporarily. Whatever your circumstances, CrystalEyes will support you to access the correct services.

Here is a list of the main providers: Guide Dogs Open Sight PrioritEyes RNC RNIB Sense Sight fo r Surrey VisionPK

Callum’s mobility story

Callum is a cane user. As a result of transferring to secondary school he wanted to walk to school independently just like all his friends. Previously, he had walked to primary school with his younger brothers. The transition team contacted Sight fo r Surrey who provided the training on behalf of Surrey County Council. Callum’s route to school was complicated because he had to walk over 2 miles and cross a canal, 3 main and 4 side roads. Working with the expert from Sight fo r Surrey over a number of weeks he mastered each segment in stages, only joining them together when it he could walk each one unaided. On his first day at secondary school he was able to walk in and home by himself which was testimony to the excellence of the training he received.