Going Places Orientation & Mobility

01/03/2026

Most people see a white cane — but few understand the skill behind it.

In this video, I break down four common long cane techniques used by people who are blind or have low vision:

🔹 Two-Point Touch – The cane arcs shoulder-width, tapping each side as you step to detect obstacles and support efficient, faster travel.

🔹 Constant Contact – The cane remains in continuous contact with the ground, providing ongoing surface feedback while moving.

🔹 Shorelining – Following an edge (garden bed, kerb, building line) to maintain straight-line travel and orientation.

🔹 Touch and Slide – The cane makes contact with a surface and slides along it to gather detail, helping locate corners, driveway entrances, pram ramps, or direction changes.

⸻

Independent travel takes time, structured training, and strong foundations.

At Going Places Orientation & Mobility, long cane training is central to what we do. Getting the basics right — with safety at the core — builds confident, independent travel that lasts.

Because independence is built.

27/02/2026

👁️ Not all vision loss presents the same — and not all mobility challenges stem from the same functional impact.

In this short video, I outline four common eye conditions and, more importantly, what they mean functionally in real-world environments.

🔹 Glaucoma
Peripheral vision loss — often described as “tunnel vision.”
Functionally, this can reduce obstacle detection, impact street-crossing awareness, and compromise spatial orientation in dynamic environments.

🔹 Cataracts
Reduced clarity and contrast — similar to looking through a fogged window.
This may increase glare sensitivity and make kerbs, steps, faces, and environmental details harder to interpret safely.

🔹 Macular Degeneration
Central vision loss.
This affects reading signage, recognising faces, identifying landmarks, and completing detail-based tasks essential for independent travel.

🔹 Diabetic Retinopathy
Scattered or fluctuating blind spots.
This can create unpredictable gaps in the visual field, impacting hazard detection and environmental consistency.

⸻

At Going Places Orientation & Mobility, we don’t design programs based solely on diagnosis.

We design them based on functional vision in real environments.

✔ Assessment drives strategy.
✔ Strategy builds skill.
✔ Skill builds independence.

Understanding how a person sees the world is the foundation of safe, confident mobility.

If you support someone who is blind or has low vision and would benefit from structured, evidence-based Orientation & Mobility training, I welcome a conversation.

Video description:
This is an iPhone screen recording using a vision simulation app looking at a visual representation of Glaucoma, Cataracts, Macular Degeneration and Diabetic Retinopathy.

26/02/2026

Regain confidence with O&M training.

This video shows a client of Going Places Orientation & Mobility travelling through a busy city environment using a range of orientation and mobility skills.

Many people who are blind or have low vision can feel isolated.
When travel feels unsafe or overwhelming, participation in life can shrink — socially, professionally and emotionally.

Independent travel is about much more than using a long cane.

It involves:
• Understanding traffic flow and road crossing safety
• Interpreting complex environments with confidence
• Self-advocacy and asking the public for assistance when needed
• Catching public transport independently
• Using GPS and assistive technology to locate stops and approaching services
• Making safe, informed decisions in real time

As a Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist, I focus on building real-world skills that increase safety, confidence and independence.

Because independence isn’t just about getting from A to B.
It’s about participating in life the way you choose.

🔹 NDIS provider
🔹 Servicing Melbourne and surrounding areas

👉 Enquire now for a free consultation:
https://goingplaces.net.au/contact

26/02/2026

As a Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist from Going Places Orientation & Mobility, let’s talk about cataracts 👇

Cataracts are like looking through a foggy or cloudy window.
They cause cloudiness and high sensitivity to glare, making bright light uncomfortable and reducing contrast.

👁 Functional impacts can include:
• Difficulty reading
• Trouble recognising facial expressions
• Reduced colour recognition
• Challenges with safe and independent mobility

In fact, cataracts affect approximately 1.5 million Australians.

As an O&M Specialist, understanding the functional implications of a person’s vision condition is critical. It allows me to teach skills in real-world environments, maximise safety, and build true independence.

Because it’s not just about eyesight — it’s about access, confidence, and freedom.

24/02/2026

As a Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist from Going Places Orientation & Mobility, let’s talk about cataracts 👇

Cataracts are like looking through a foggy or cloudy window.
They cause cloudiness and high sensitivity to glare, making bright light uncomfortable and reducing contrast.

👁 Functional impacts can include:
• Difficulty reading
• Trouble recognising facial expressions
• Reduced colour recognition
• Challenges with safe and independent mobility

In fact, cataracts affect approximately 1.5 million Australians.

As an O&M Specialist, understanding the functional implications of a person’s vision condition is critical. It allows me to teach skills in real-world environments, maximise safety, and build true independence.

Because it’s not just about eyesight — it’s about access, confidence, and freedom.

24/02/2026

Tactile Ground Surface Indicators (TGSIs) are a powerful accessibility feature in our urban spaces.

Did you know there are two main types?

🔹 Directional tiles (the long raised bars) guide someone in a straight line to help them move from one place to another.

🔹 Hazard tiles (the circular raised bumps) warn that something is about to change — like a platform edge, stairs, or a drop-off.

These small design features make a huge difference for people who are blind or have low vision.

In this video, a client of Going Places Orientation & Mobility is exploring the new Melbourne Metro Tunnel using his long cane — reading the ground surface, planning his route, and navigating independently.

Accessible design isn’t optional. It’s essential.

23/02/2026

In this video, I simulate what it’s like to navigate a train station with retinitis pigmentosa. You’ll see how functional challenges — like reduced visual fields and poor contrast sensitivity— impact real-world navigation.

Orientation & Mobility (O&M) is essential. It equips people with the right strategies to manage these challenges, navigate safely, and foster independence.

#

30/11/2025

17/09/2025

What Is Structured Discovery?

Structured Discovery is a dynamic approach to learning orientation and mobility that’s all about exploring, problem-solving, and discovering for yourself. Rather than being told each step, you’re encouraged to use your other senses, build confidence, and develop the skills that truly support independent travel.

This method recognises that people who are blind or have low vision experience the world in unique and valuable ways. Sight isn’t the only way to understand the world — there are countless ways of knowing, navigating, and discovering.

At GOING PLACES ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY, we partner with you to find your best learning style. Together, we blend Structured Discovery with the latest assistive technologies — from GPS navigation and AI-driven tools to wearable devices and emerging augmented reality solutions. With these tools, combined with proven teaching methods, you’ll have even more opportunities to build freedom, resilience, and independence.

👉 Want to learn more? Visit http://goingplaces.net.au or call Darren on 0424 860 836 — we’d love to chat with you!

Pictured is a man walking with a long cane toward the Swanston Street crossing from the Flinders Street tram stop. It is a sunny day and he is wearing dark clothes.

25/06/2025

We are excited about our next Explorers United Adults program coming up on Friday 4th of July withh the topic NAVIGATIONN TECH.

This program will be based in the Melbourne CBD and we will be  exploring and trialling the following technologies.
-Ray Ban Meta Glasses
-Google Maps and its advanced features such as Live View and the detailed voice guidance option.
-Navilenz to identify approaching trams.
-Voice Vista to hear more about your surroundings with spatial audio.

This session on Friday 4th of July runs from 10 am – 4 pm. After learning about these technologies, we will put them to the test to travel together out for lunch before finishing up at Flinders Street Station.

If you are interested in attending or want to find out more, please contact Darren on 0424860836 or Marnie on 0423783760. 

Image description: a man with black hair wearing a pair of sunglasses using a GPS application on his phone. 


01/04/2025

Explorers United: Risky Business – Registrations Now Open

Is your child ready to take on new challenges and expand their comfort zone? Explorers United: Risky Business is a two-day program designed for children aged 7-14 who are blind or have low vision.

When: April 14-15
Where: Meeting at Box Hill each day before setting off on exciting adventures

This orientation and mobility program helps children develop their risk literacy skills while exploring new experiences. Together, they will navigate public transport and take on fun challenges at Inflatable World and Gumbuya World. It is the perfect way to build confidence, independence, and a spirit of adventure in a supportive environment.

This this program is coordinated by Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialists. 

Spots are limited.
To register, message Darren on 0424 860 836 or Marnie on 0423 783 760.

Image: Three children bouncing on their knees on a jumping castle.