A Study of Training Field Model in Orientation and Mobility for Skill Development
of Persons with Visual Impairment

Suwatchai Chanheng¹

¹suwatchai.cha@mahidol.ac.th

Abstract

The research "A Study of Training Field Model in Orientation and Mobility for Skill Development of Persons with Visual Impairment" is aimed to study the concept of Training Field Model in Orientation and Mobility for Skill Development of Persons with Visual Impairment. The researcher used the triangular qualitative data analysis to find the situable size and Environmental features of the field used to train travel skills for persons with visual impairments. The researcher was unable to determine the standard area for the training field because the location includes both urban and rural areas. The most important elements of the visual training field are the composition of roads, alleyways, intersections, bridges, footpaths, grasses, shrubs, trees, walkways. The walkway was arranged in the actual condition but it must be re-designed so that the surfaces can be exposed to the actual conditions such as flat areas, high basins in a short distance or a bit longer to get used to the pedestrian walkway. Also, it should be at least one shoulder span (80 cm) to use the touch of the walkway surface as well as to recognize the five senses. The skill training field must have permanent and temporary landmark and the training ground must be in both urban and rural environments. There were two groups of people: those who lost their vision by birth and those who lost their vision recently. Each of their training time should not exceed three hours (including rest time) and for those individuals who are children, they must go through basic preparation for learning various things (Using all five senses) before training. Trainee's age range should be at least 10 years or above and the practice time for the training should not exceed 1 hour (Including break time).

Keywords: Visually Impaired, Training Field Model, Orientation and Mobility