Instructions for a Mobility Low Vision Assessment

Make sure you choose a route the student is not too familiar with Use a sighted guide at first if the student is unsure to move around unaided: but make sure you do not avoid holes, puddles or obstacles before observing if the student is able to see or not. Ask questions

Ask open questions

• "What do you see when looking right?"
• "Any obstacles on our route?"
• Don't ask "Do you see the car?" The student will probably say yes, even if they only see a vague dark shape

Your route should preferably include: a short walk. When facing the sun many students will be functionally blind. When walking under the shade of a tree, note changes to pace (slowing down) or time of light adaptation curbs or steps holes/puddles a path with a shoreline, like grass or a ditch small objects with and without good contrast large objects lamp post, electricity pole or bus stop pole different surfaces

You should observe the reactions and decisions of the student

Ask questions about:

• traveling at night
• what they see/don't see, trees, houses, poles.....
• different surfaces (if you are not sure by observing)
• colours seen
• what distance objects can be seen

Do a changing fixation exercise:

• ask the student to look at something near them, then ask them to look at a distant object. Observe their eyes
• are they scanning systematically or at random (can they fixate at all?)

Watch for signs of visual field problems, e.g. walking into overhanging branches or falling over stones

Checkpoint: What are some of the important visual skills for orientation and mobility?