Hello NOMC?s:
I recently came across a survey that I found to be very interesting.
The survey is asking about current O&M instructor?s perspectives on blind cane travel teachers.
I logged into the survey and was immediately asked if I was a COMS, which I replied ?NO? to, then I was asked if I teach cane travel in my current job position, which I said, ?YES?. This did take me to the survey to complete-which I did.
I am deeply concerned about the wording of some of these questions and the consequences of the results for those of us who are blind instructors. I would encourage each of you to fill out the survey and provide feedback. I would also love to hear perspective on this research and how it could effect those of us who are blind, and in the field.
Below is the email I received including the link to the survey. Please feel free to share and pass it along.
Thanks,
Deja Powell, MA, NOMC
External Email
Dear Robin,
We are writing to request your assistance in completing the study ?Attitudes Towards Orientation and Mobility Instructors Who Are Blind.? Specifically, I am requesting that you forward the attached participation invitation to all current orientation and mobility instructors in your organization. The purpose of the study is to determine the attitude of currently certified orientation and mobility specialists (COMS) toward orientation and mobility (O&M) instructors who are blind because of the increase in recent of certified O&M specialists who are blind.
Participants who accept my invitation will be asked to answer a 10-15 minute via this following link:
https://educttu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_41MGHCwShUp5SeOhttps://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Feducttu.az1.qualtrics.com%2Fjfe%2Fform%2FSV_41MGHCwShUp5SeO&data=05%7C01%7CDeja.Powell%40dsb.wa.gov%7C1a7eb803f43f41597cd408da969aea6a%7C11d0e217264e400a8ba057dcc127d72d%7C0%7C0%7C637987889349086116%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=WyXiYoGWUCcwBwKM%2BeKbaNjzDmNHASqs%2BjOcHdqk030%3D&reserved=0
or the following QR code:
[Qr code Description automatically generated]
We appreciate the participants? time and effort for this research study. When they leave their names, phone numbers and emails at the end of the survey, they will have a chance to receive one of four $25 Amazon gift cards in a random drawing. One week after the data process is completed and the research team receive the recipient forms from the selected participants, four participants will receive the gift cards.
If you have any questions about this research, please contact Dr. Nora Griffin-Shirley at n.griffin-shirley at ttu.edu