By Frances A. Koestler
|
1860
|
Sir Francis Campbell experiments with long cane for "foot travel" at Perkins.
|
|
1872
|
Blindness and the Blind—A Treatise on the Science of Typhology
by W. Hanks Levy.
|
|
1918–25
|
Dog guides trained for blinded World War I veterans in France and Germany.
|
|
1929
|
Seeing Eye, Inc. founded in Nashville, Tennessee, and the first dog guide school in United States, incorporated.
|
|
1930
|
The first white cane ordinance passed sponsored by Peoria Illinois Lions Club.
|
|
1931
|
Lion's Club International voted to support the passage of white cane laws in every state.
|
|
1939–45
|
World War II.
|
|
1944
|
Facial Vision: The Perception of Obstacles by the Blind
by Supa, Cotzin, and Dallenback published.
|
|
1944
|
Hoover and others develop long-cane mobility techniques at Valley Forge Army Hospital. This was the real beginning of what has been called "foot travel." The term "orientation and mobility" was not common until the 1950s.
|
|
1945
|
The Surgeon General's office dispatched an orientor (C. Warren Bledsoe) from Valley Forge Army General Hospital at Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, to Dibble Army General Hospital at Menlo Park, California, to teach the cane method.
|
|
1947
|
Opening of the Veterans Administration (VA) Hines Rehabilitation Center.
|
|
1947
|
First six O&M specialists selected at Hines VA Hospital—John Malamazian, Stanley Suterko, Alfred Dee Corbett, Edward Thuis, Lawrence Blaha, and Edward Mees.
|
|
1948
|
Russell C. Williams appointed as Chief of Hines Blind Unit.
|
|
1952
|
The film, The Long Cane
, produced through the VA.
|
|
1953
|
Father Thomas J. Carroll of the Catholic Guild for the Blind in Boston mounts Gloucester Conference to define mobility instructor's role and training.
|
|
1954
|
Through the efforts of Mary E. Switzer, Director of the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, the Vocational Rehabilitation Act supported demonstration grants in the area of preparation of O&M specialists.
|
|
1959
|
National Conference funded by AFB to establish criteria for the basic selection of mobility personnel, to develop a curriculum, and to recommend length of training and appropriate sponsorship.
|
|
1959
|
Ultrasonic Hand-Held Torch developed by Leslie Kay.
|
|
1960
|
Instruction in Physical Orientation and Foot Travel, A Lesson Plan Outline
, published by The Industrial Home for the Blind, New York.
|
|
1960
|
Boston College starts first university program for O&M instructors. (Closed in May 1991.)
|
|
1961
|
Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, second university training program established.
|
|
1961
|
Commission on Standards and Accreditation of Services for the Blind (COMSTAC).
|
|
1963
|
Standards for collapsible cane presented at Mobility Research Conference, MIT.
|
|
1964
|
Mobility in Perspective
by Martha J. Ball published.
|
|
1964
|
First Long Cane Newsletter
published, Vol. 1, No. 1, jointly by Boston College and Western Michigan University.
|
|
1964
|
Specifications for the Long Cane
published by Veterans Administration.
|
|
1964
|
A petition approved by the AAWB Board of Directors for a new interest group devoted to O&M; Rod Kossick appointed as chairperson.
|
|
1964
|
Pathsounder was invented by Lindsay Russell while a consulting engineer with the Sensory Aids Evaluation and Development Center at MIT.
|
|
1965
|
First meeting of Interest Group IX (AAWB), Denver, Colorado.
|
|
1965–66
|
Loyal E. (Gene) Apple serves as Chairperson of AAWB Interest Group IX.
|
|
1966
|
Ad Hoc Committee Concerned with Mobility Instruction for the Blind met in Washington, DC.
|
|
1966
|
At the AAWB Convention in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Interest Group IX formed a committee to study the certification of O&M instructors.
|
|
1966
|
Mobility Group of AAIB established, Salt Lake City, Utah. Donald Blasch, first chairperson.
|
|
1966
|
California State University at Los Angeles training program in O&M was funded by VRA.
|
|
1966
|
Laser Cane was developed and manufactured by J. Malvern Benjamin and his colleagues at Bionic Instruments, Inc.
|
|
1966
|
Binaural Sensory Aid (forerunner to Sonicguide) developed by Leslie Kay at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand.
|
|
1966
|
First Interest Group newsletter published.
|
|
1966
|
California Association of O&M Specialists (CAOMS) established, designated as a "professional association" instead of a more general "mobility interest group." Active membership limited to O&M specialists; associate membership available.
|
|
1966
|
COMSTAC Report
published.
|
|
1966
|
Florida State University established first undergraduate O&M training program.
|
|
1966
|
San Francisco State University established first graduate-level programs to prepare mobility instructors of children. Grant funded by U.S. Office of Education.
|
|
1966–67
|
Fredick A. Silver serves as chairperson of AAWB Interest Group IX.
|
|
1967
|
Establishment of Midlands Mobility Center in England by Stanley Suterko.
|
|
1967–68
|
John Malamazian serves as chairperson of AAWB Interest Group IX.
|
|
1967
|
After the AAWB Convention in Florida, Interest Group IX appointed an accreditation committee, later named Certification Standards Committee.
|
|
1968
|
AAIB became the Association for Education of the Visually Handicapped (AEVH).
|
|
1968
|
Gary Coker serves as chairperson of AEVH Mobility Interest Group.
|
|
1968–69
|
Stanley Suterko serves as chairperson of AAWB Interest Group IX.
|
|
1968
|
Lawrence E. Blaha Award established in Division Nine of AAWB—Lawrence E. Blaha first recipient, Toronto, Canada.
|
|
1968
|
Interest Group IX adopted procedures and requirements for certification of O&M specialists; request sent to AAWB Board of Directors for approval.
|
|
1968
|
AAWB Board of Directors approved the certification procedures and requirements with the stipulation that the AAWB bylaws would need changing before certification can become a reality.
|
|
1968
|
Demonstration of Home and Community Support Needed to Facilitate Mobility Instruction for Blind Youth
by Francis E. Lord and Lawrence E. Blaha published.
|
|
1969
|
Rotterdam Mobility Research Conference.
|
|
1969
|
California State Department of Education established a State Teaching Credential for Orientation and Mobility Instructors as a result of the efforts of the California Association of Orientation and Mobility Specialists. This is a definite step in the direction of high mobility standards in California public schools systems.
|
|
1969
|
AAWB appoints a committee representing various interests and geographical areas to implement the certification of O&M instructors.
|
|
1969
|
The AAWB Certification Committee met for the first time for the sole purpose of implementing the Certification Procedures as adopted by the membership at the 1968 convention, and approved by the AAWB Board of Directors.
|
|
1969
|
U.S. Office of Education funded two programs at the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Northern Colorado (dual certification).
|
|
1969
|
Model O&M Project for institutionalized mentally retarded blind—Boston College and Walter Fernald State School, Paul McDade.
|
|
1969
|
Model O&M Itinerant Project, Alameda County Public Schools, Haywood, California.
|
|
1969
|
First O&M certifications approved (56 for permanent certification and 40 for provisional certification), AAWB National Convention, Chicago, Illinois.
|
|
1969
|
Dr. Richard Hoover receives Blaha Award, Chicago.
|
|
1969–71
|
Robert Mills serves as cochairperson of AEVH Mobility Group.
|
|
1969–71
|
Robert H. Whitstock serves as chairperson of AAWB Interest Group IX.
|
|
1969
|
University of Pittsburgh O&M program begins. Funded by the U.S. Office of Education.
|
|
1970
|
Mobility conference held at Florida State University primarily for university personnel preparing O&M instructors at the university level. Universities represented: Boston College, California State College at Los Angeles, Florida State University, San Francisco State College, University of Pittsburgh, and Western Michigan University.
|
|
1970
|
The First 15 Years at Hines
by John Malamazian published.
|
|
1970
|
New York State Association of Orientation and Mobility Specialists (NYSAOMS) established.
|
|
1970
|
San Francisco Low Vision Mobility Conference.
|
|
1971
|
Distance Vision and Perceptual Training: A Concept for Use in the Mobility Training of Low Vision Clients
, by Loyal Apple and Marianne May published.
|
|
1971
|
Low Vision Abstracts
begins publication.
|
|
1971
|
First Binaural Sensory Aids course taught in United States at Boston College and Western Michigan University.
|
|
1971
|
Vision requirements for O&M certification change from 20/20 and normal field to 20/40 acuity and field of 140 degrees.
|
|
1971
|
O&M certification "grandfather" clause expired.
|
|
1971
|
Undergraduate applicants for O&M certification defined.
|
|
1971
|
Interest Group IX to investigate the question of "Mobility Aides."
|
|
1971
|
First Regional Midwest O&M Non-Conference (NCOMA), Jacksonville, Illinois.
|
|
1971–73
|
Robert Crouse serves as chairperson of AAWB Interest Group IX.
|
|
1971
|
G. William Debetaz received Blaha Award, Richmond, Virginia. First presentation of the Sir Francis Campbell cane.
|
|
1972
|
First Southeastern Orientation and Mobility Association (SOMA) Conference, Daytona Bleach, Florida.
|
|
1972
|
Pennsylvania Association of Orientation and Mobility Specialists (PAOMS) established.
|
|
1972
|
Stephen F. Austin University, Cleveland State University, and Talladega State College begin O&M programs (all undergraduate).
|
|
1973
|
How Does A Blind Person Get Around?
published by AFB.
|
|
1973
|
O&M Paraprofessional Training Program funded by Virginia Commission for the Blind and RSA, directed by Robert Scheffe.
|
|
1973
|
O&M Code of Ethics adopted by AAWB Interest Group IX.
|
|
1973
|
Introduction of the Code of Ethics Enforcement Procedures, which was not accepted by Interest Group IX membership.
|
|
1973
|
Report of the Ad Hoc Committee on Mobility Aides presented to Interest Group IX.
|
|
1973
|
Stanley Suterko received Blaha Award, Cleveland, Ohio.
|
|
1973–75
|
Bruce Blasch (elected), Frank Ryan (served) chairperson of AAWB Interest Group IX.
|
|
1974
|
Robert O. LaDuke serves as chairperson of AEVH Mobility Group.
|
|
1974
|
First comprehensive 6-week postgraduate courses in ETAs offered in United States at Western Michigan University.
|
|
1975
|
First questionnaire sent to Interest Group IX members on the role of paraprofessionals in the field of O&M.
|
|
1975
|
Low Vision Mobility Workshop at Western Michigan University.
|
|
1975
|
Hunter College, New York and University of Arkansas, Little Rock, begin O&M programs (terminated in 1982).
|
|
1975
|
AFB Conference on Travel in Adverse Weather, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
|
|
1975
|
Certification Committee of Interest Group IX includes representative from AEVH.
|
|
1975
|
Russell C. Williams received Blaha Award, Atlanta, Georgia.
|
|
1975–77
|
William (Bill) Wiener chairperson of AAWB Interest Group IX.
|
|
1975
|
Establishment of the Interest Group IX Code of Ethics Committee.
|
|
1976–78
|
David Loux serves as chairperson of AEVH Mobility Group.
|
|
1976
|
Orientation and Mobility Techniques: A Guide for the Practitioner
by E. Hill and P. Ponder published by AFB.
|
|
1976
|
Travel in Adverse Weather Conditions
by R. Welsh and W. Wiener published by AFB.
|
|
1977
|
Mowat Sensor developed by Geoff Mowat.
|
|
1977
|
A second O&M techniques book published, Center for Independent Living.
|
|
1977
|
Donald Blasch received Blaha Award, Portland, Oregon.
|
|
1977–79
|
Robert Mills serves as chairperson of AAWB Interest Group IX.
|
|
1978–80
|
Bob Bryant serves as chairperson of AEVH Mobility Group.
|
|
1978
|
Illinois O&M Association established.
|
|
1978
|
RSA funds university O&M programs for all disabilities ("Generic O&M") at University of Wisconsin, Madison (funding discontinued in 1983).
|
|
1979
|
First International Mobility Conference (IMC‐1), Frankfurt, West Germany.
|
|
1979
|
ETA Certification for O&M specialist first considered.
|
|
1979
|
Vision requirements for O&M certification change from measured acuity/fields to functional vision requirements.
|
|
1979
|
Interest Group IX self-study and on-site review process of university O&M programs begins.
|
|
1979
|
Northern Illinois O&M program begins.
|
|
1979
|
Recognition of Talladego College O&M program by Interest Group IX (removed in 1990).
|
|
1979
|
Interest Group IX votes to support changes in certification requirements to provisional and professional; profession certification must be renewed every 5 years with documentation of professional activities.
|
|
1979
|
John D. Malamazian received Blaha Award, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
|
|
1979–81
|
Kent Wardell serves as chairperson of AAWB Interest Group IX.
|
|
1979
|
Historian/Archivist, Berdell (Pete) Wurzburger, appointed by Interest Group IX chairperson.
|
|
1979
|
AAWB appoints a Board Committee to review certification documents presented for Board approval. Committee referred to as Certification Standards Committee, later named Certification Review Committee.
|
|
1979
|
Association of University Educators in O&M and Rehabilitation Training established.
|
|
1980–82
|
Andrew S. Papineau serves as Beal Pickett cochairperson of AEVH Mobility Group.
|
|
1980
|
Foundations of Orientation & Mobility
edited by R. Welsh and B. Blasch published by AFB.
|
|
1980
|
Recognition of University of Wisconsin O&M program by Interest Group IX (removed in 1990).
|
|
1980
|
Recognition of Peabody College of Vanderbilt University O&M program by Interest Group IX (removed in 1995).
|
|
1981
|
Second International Mobility Conference (IMC‐2), Paris, France.
|
|
1981
|
AFB (National O&M Consultant, Mark Uslan) takes over publication of Long Cane News.
|
|
1981
|
Formation of the Alliance, which served as a vehicle for the consolidation of AAWB and AEVH.
|
|
1981
|
Interest Group IX votes to support the requirements for ETA certification.
|
|
1981
|
John Eichorn received Blaha Award, Toronto.
|
|
1981–82
|
James Liska serves as chairperson of AAWB Interest Group IX.
|
|
1982
|
Toni Heinze serves as chairperson of AEVH Mobility Group.
|
|
1982–83
|
Gala Saber-Brooks serves as chairperson of AAWB Interest Group IX, Orlando.
|
|
1982
|
ETA Certification Standards approved by AAWB Board of Directors.
|
|
1982
|
Leadership Program (Doctoral Level) at Peabody starts.
|
|
1983
|
Lee Farmer receives Blaha Award, Phoenix, Arizona.
|
|
1983–84
|
Stephen Sanford (AAWB) and Berdell Wurzburger (AEVH) cochairpersons of Division Nine.
|
|
1983
|
AFB funds National O&M Competency Study.
|
|
1983
|
Third International Mobility Conference (IMC‐3), Vienna, Austria.
|
|
1983
|
Western Michigan University granted funds to look at professionals' attitudes toward the formation of a professional organization.
|
|
1983
|
Dominican College undergraduate O&M program begins (removed in 1988).
|
|
1983
|
Orientation and Mobility Association of Oregon (OMAO) established.
|
|
1983
|
Research and Demonstration Project (A. Bradfield)—Distance Vision Curriculum for O&M Instructors funded.
|
|
1983
|
NIHR Research and Demonstration Project, Pennsylvania College of Optometry/Peabody College—O&M for Low Vision Individuals funded.
|
|
1984
|
Geneseo (New York) O&M Program begins (lost funding in 1986).
|
|
1984
|
Peabody Preschool O&M Project (HCEEP Model Demonstration Project) is funded.
|
|
1984
|
AAWB and AEVH consolidate to become the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER).
|
|
1984
|
Warren Bledsoe received Blaha Award, Nashville.
|
|
1984–86
|
Patricia Coffey Bucci (elected, served 1984–1985); Jim Newcomer (served 1985–1986) chairperson of AER Division Nine.
|
|
1986
|
Recognition of Texas Tech University O&M program by Division Nine.
|
|
1986
|
Fourth International Mobility Conference (IMC‐4), Jerusalem, Israel.
|
|
1986
|
Electronic Travel Aids: New Directions for Research
published by National Research Council, Committee on Vision, Working Groups on Mobility Aids.
|
|
1986
|
Peggy Madera and Judy Davidhizer-Homes receive the First Citation for Excellence Award for outstanding O&M direct services presented by Division Nine, Chicago.
|
|
1986
|
Approved, revised Bylaws for Division Nine establishes seven Regional Directors and a Professional Issues Committee.
|
|
1986
|
Walter G. Olenek received Blaha Award, Chicago.
|
|
1986
|
"Provisional" O&M certification changed to "Initial Professional."
|
|
1986
|
Centralized processing through AER central office of O&M certification applications.
|
|
1986
|
Initiation of the "biannual review" of existing university preparation programs.
|
|
1986–88
|
Jim Newcomer serves as chairperson of AER Division Nine.
|
|
1987
|
AFB sponsors The Visually Impaired Traveler in Mass Transit: Issues in O&M Conference, Washington, DC.
|
|
1987
|
Certification Appeals Process approved by the AER International Board.
|
|
1987
|
M. Kronick provides early discussion of alternative mobility devices (AMD) in The "Wheel" Cane
, published in Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness.
|
|
1988
|
The O&M Archives officially opened, Maryland School for the Blind, Baltimore, Maryland.
|
|
1988
|
"Mobility Assistant" Division Nine position paper supported by majority via the first mail ballot.
|
|
1988
|
Richard Welsh received Blaha Award, Montreal, Canada.
|
|
1988
|
Joan Levy received the Citation for Excellence Award, Montreal.
|
|
1988–90
|
E. (Butch) Hill serves as chairperson of AER Division Nine.
|
|
1989
|
Fifth International Mobility Conference (IMC‐5), Veldhoven, The Netherlands.
|
|
1989
|
The Profession of Orientation and Mobility in the 1980s
by M. Uslan, E. Hill, and A. Peck, published by AFB.
|
|
1989
|
Sonic Pathfinder evolved out of the work of Tony Heyes at the Blind Mobility Research Unit at Nottingham University, England.
|
|
1990
|
Recognition of Northern Illinois University O&M program by Division Nine.
|
|
1990
|
Preschool Orientation and Mobility Screening
by B. Dodson-Burk and E. Hill published by Division Nine.
|
|
1990
|
Hugo Vigorosa receives Blaha Award, Washington, DC.
|
|
1990
|
Judy Hayes receives the Citation for Excellence Award, Washington, DC.
|
|
1990
|
Approval of the revision of Division Nine Bylaws establishing the University Review, Research and Publication Review, International, Code of Ethics, Archives, and Continuing Education as standing committees. Election of officers will be by mail ballot.
|
|
1990
|
Position paper on "University Trained Mobility Specialists."
|
|
1990
|
Division Nine recommended that individuals who possess a bachelor's or master's degree in a related field of study can become eligible for AER O&M certification by completing all O&M core curricula at the same AER-approved O&M university preparation program. Requirements for individuals who possess a bachelor's or master's degree in a field not related to vision study were also approved. (Approved by the AER Board of Directors in 1992.)
|
|
1990–92
|
Bruce Blasch serves as chairperson of AER Division Nine.
|
|
1990
|
Code of Ethics Enforcement Process approved by the AER International Board.
|
|
1990
|
Access to Mass Transit
, edited by M. Uslan, A. Peck, W. Wiener, & A. Stern, published by AFB.
|
|
1991
|
Recognition of University of Texas at Austin O&M program by Division Nine.
|
|
1991
|
Regional Trainers Workshop of Orientation and Mobility Assistants at Western Michigan University.
|
|
1991
|
AER Board approved certification programs for Trainer/Supervisors of OMAs and Orientation and Mobility Assistants.
|
|
1991
|
Recognition of Massey University in New Zealand O&M program by Division Nine. First international O&M program recognized by AER.
|
|
1991
|
Sixth International Mobility Conference (IMC‐6), Madrid, Spain
|
|
1992
|
Development of a computer model of cane techniques (RoboCane®) by Bruce B. Blasch and William De l'Aune.
|
|
1992
|
Recognition of Michigan State University O&M program by Division Nine.
|
|
1992
|
Recognition of Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) O&M program by Division Nine.
|
|
1992
|
Division Nine recommends a revision to the professional activity requirement for AER certification renewal. This revision is comparable with other professional certification renewal activities.
|
|
1992
|
Butch Hill receives Blaha Award, Los Angeles, California.
|
|
1992
|
Darick Wright and Bonnie Dodson-Burk receive Citation of Excellence Award, Los Angeles.
|
|
1992
|
Establishment of the Newcomer Hill Service Award. This award is to be presented at each international AER Conference by the Chair of Division Nine to recognize major contributions made to Division Nine during the previous 2 years. First recipient Susan S. Simmons, Los Angeles.
|
|
1992–94
|
William Jacobson serves as chairperson of AER Division Nine.
|
|
1992
|
Recognition of University of Arizona O&M program by Division Nine.
|
|
1992
|
Central-Eastern O&M Association (COMA) first meeting.
|
|
1993
|
AER Board of Directors votes to remove the requirement of a physical examination or a completed physician's statement from O&M renewable professional certification.
|
|
1994
|
Seventh International Mobility Conference (IMC‐7), Melbourne, Australia.
|
|
1994
|
Berdell H. "Pete" Wurzburger receives Blaha Award, Dallas, Texas.
|
|
1994
|
Colleen Calhoon and Carol Otten receive Citation for Excellence Award, Dallas.
|
|
1994
|
Sandy Kronick Distinguished Service Award received posthumously, Dallas.
|
|
1994
|
Dona Sauerburger receives the Newcomer-Hill Service Award, Dallas.
|
|
1994–96
|
Dennis Lolli chairperson of AER Division Nine.
|
|
1996
|
Eighth International Mobility Conference (IMC‐8), Trondheim, Norway.
|
|
1996
|
International Mobility Conference establishes the Suteiko-Cory Award.
|
|
1996
|
The Professional Standard for the Practice of O&M and the University Orientation and Mobility Competency Form approved by AER Division Nine.
|
|
1996
|
William Wiener receives Blaha Award, St. Louis, Missouri.
|
|
1996
|
Sharon O'Mara Maida receives Citation of Excellence Award, St. Louis.
|
|
1996
|
Kathleen Newman receives Sandy Kronick Distinguished Service Award, St. Louis.
|
|
1996
|
William Wiener and Elga Joffee receive Newcomer-Hill Service Award, St. Louis.
|
|
1996–98
|
Eileen Siffermann serves as chairperson of AER Division Nine.
|
|
1996
|
Mohawk College, Ontario, Canada, recognized as an approved O&M program.
|
|
1996
|
Appointment of an ad hoc AER Division Nine committee to develop a national certification examination in O&M.
|
|
1997
|
Second edition of Foundations of Orientation and Mobility
, edited by B. Blasch, W. Wiener, and R. Welsh, published by AFB Press.
|
|
1998
|
Ninth International Mobility Conference (IMC‐9), Atlanta.
|
* Source: Reprinted from W. R. Wiener & E. Siffermann, "The Development of the Profession of Orientation and Mobility," in B. Blasch, W. R. Wiener, R. L. Welsh, Eds., Foundations of Orientation and Mobility (2nd ed.) (New York: AFB, 1997), pp. 570–579.