Community Services

Follow Your Passion, Travel Independently.

Orientation and Mobility (O&M) Services are critical to navigate one’s surroundings. O&M enables a person to know exactly where they are and where they want to go (Orientation). The next step is getting to that destination safely, efficiently and effectively, whether it be crossing streets, using public transportation or walking with a cane (Mobility). As part of our O&M lessons, we pair adults who are blind or visually impaired with Certified O&M Instructors to deliver skills for safe, independent travel in the home, college, community and city.

Lauren F.

“I was amazed at how little I really knew. Thanks to the instruction I received, I am much more confident about traveling alone and learned quite a few things to make my life much easier and less stressful. Thank you.”

Safe Travel - Orientation & Mobility Training

Safe travel training may take place in the home, in the home neighborhood, in local business areas, on job sites, on public transportation, or wherever there are travel concerns. Travel tools might include low vision skills and devices such as special tinted glasses, long, white cane, or support canes. The length of training will vary depending on each individual’s goals and abilities.

College Campus Travel Skills

Students preparing to attend college in Massachusetts or in nearby areas of neighboring states, can receive Orientation and Mobility training to help them travel safely and efficiently around the college campus, including public transportation if needed. Instruction may continue each year, depending on the needs and skills of the student.

Diabetes Education

Diabetic Self-Management is provided both in our rehabilitation program and in the home for diabetics with vision loss who struggle to manage their diabetes independently and provides individualized instruction in independent diabetes management.

This service for the blind and visually impaired is staffed by registered nurses, who:

  • Conduct a diabetes needs interview.
  • Assess independent diabetes management skills and motivation/follow-through.
  • Provide a familiarization to and training in the use of adaptive devices (e.g. Humalog Pen, Prodigy Voice Monitor).
  • Coordinate the ordering of adaptive equipment.
  • Provide diabetes education in relevant topics (e.g. insulin management, the role of diet, exercise etc.).
  • Conduct follow-up sessions for individuals as needed/recommended.