AMC2010 - Guide Dogs NSW/ACT

The aim of this study was to investigate whether
objective laterality measures could be employed
by Guide Dog Organisations to identify dogs with a
high probability of success in the training program.
2:00pm Session 5, Forum C: Program
evaluation. Room: Library
1. Title: A Case Study to Outline the O&M
Programs for a Mature Lady who Became
Totally Blind following a Long History of Living
with Low Vision
Author: Judy Rogers, O&M Instructor, Guide Dogs
NSW/ACT
Summary: She has a busy lifestyle and is actively
involved in the community. The client lives alone
with the support of a part-time carer. She is also
a double amputee. It is her aim to live an active,
independent life. This study outlines different
aspects of her journey, including:
1. MOBILITY: Mobility programs using: (1) walker;
(2) wheel-chair
Basic O&M skills including use of echo-location,
sense of direction and straight line walking were
integral to the success of this program.
2. ORIENTATION PROGRAMS: When the client
was required to move at short notice, basic
orientation methods were used in conjunction
with tactile maps. The client had to learn and then
relearn these new areas using both mobility aids
and changing vision.
3. ACCESS ISSUES: Access issues became a
major concern when the new unit was not suitable.
The client has been actively involved in solving the
problems and finding solutions.
2. Title: Ability to Get About as a Global
Measure of Outcome for O&M with Older
Persons
Author: Steve La Grow, School of Health and
Social Services, Massey University, NZ
Summary: Measures of both adaptation to the
onset of disability and quality of life (global and
condition specific) have been used as outcome
measures to evaluate rehabilitation programs for
older persons in general and vision rehabilitation
programs specifically.
Identifying a defining measure for evaluating O&M
programs, however, has proven to be quite elusive.
We have in the past sought to measure the impact
of O&M on (a) safety, (b) speed, (c) efficiency, (d)
ease or comfort, (f) independence, (g) frequency,
and (h) breadth of travel. All of which relate to the
goals of O&M, but none of which, on its own,
appears to be global enough to capture the
essence of what we are trying to achieve
with O&M.
One possibility is a single-item measure of one’s
perception of his or her ability to get around (i.e.
How well are you able to get around?).
The purpose of the study reported here was to
assess the degree to which it contributes to the
prediction of self-assessed quality of life among
older persons who report difficulty seeing as a first
step in assessing its potential as a global outcome
measure for O&M.
3. Title: A Snapshot of Australian Childhood
Vision Impairment
Author: Sue Silveira, Renwick Centre, Royal
Institute for Deaf and Blind Children, Sydney
Abstract: The Australian Childhood Vision
Impairment Register is the first register to capture
information on children who live with vision
impairment in Australia. The Register is sponsored
by the Royal Institute for Deaf & Blind Children, in
partnership with eye health professionals, health
providers, low vision agencies and
service providers.
The Register is collecting data on children living
with vision impairment and their health, social
and educational requirements across Australia.
This data is then used for service planning and
also research into conditions which cause vision
impairment. Children and their families have been
invited to register since June 2009 and interesting
trends about vision impairment have started
to emerge.
This presentation will inform the O&M Instructor
on current findings from the Register to provide
a snapshot of the Australian situation. Ideas for
opportunities for research collaboration will also
be discussed.
Thank you for attending AMC2010, have a safe trip home
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