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Metro South, Illawarra Orientation and Mobility, and Vision Support teacher group program collaboration.

In June 2025, the early childhood Orientation and Mobility staff based in Metro South (Illawarra) teamed up to run a collaborative group program with the Vision Support team (Department of Education) from the same region. This ongoing partnership has been fostered over time, with each organisation often supporting each other’s group programs, promoting a holistic approach to help students with low vision or blindness in the area. 

The Orientation and Mobility component of the excursion, a scavenger hunt at the Wollongong Botanic Gardens was planned for primary and high school students with a focus on technology. Skills, techniques and strategies that were incorporated into the program included: 

• Use of artificial intelligence through smartphone applications to access printed information on signs within the Botanic Gardens. 

• Concept development related to directionality and orientation with the use of their primary mobility aid to way–find within the Botanic Gardens. 

• Exposure to GPS smartphone applications, including ‘Soundscape’ to complement primary mobility skills to locate specific destinations within the Botanic Gardens. 

• Exposure and practical use of ultrasonic mobility aids, like Miniguide. 

• Use of real-time assistance applications on smartphones and self-advocacy skills to assist with wayfinding and orientation to the Japanese Tea House at the Botanic Gardens. 

Feedback from students and Vision Support teachers were overwhelmingly positive. Not only did we assist with having a collaborative partnership with the Vision Support teachers in the region, it was a great opportunity to expose existing and new Clients to Orientation and Mobility strategies and training they may not have been introduced to previously. Plans are already underway from both organisations to support each other’s programs in the future.