I appreciate this thread.
I have considered efforts herein described in some ways as COMS trying to go after Medicare and Medicaid funds for their services, a manifestation of the medical model theory of O&M. Outside of handing a newly diagnosed blind patient a cane and demonstrating very basic ways of holding, carrying, and using it, I agree with others that it breeches professional boundaries. Periodic attempts to establish licensure, in my opinion, attempt to find a home for practitioners in the medical field.
All of these schemes are designed to address the very real and critical professional shortage problem. This is particularly acute in the educational system. I also happen to believe that it is somewhat a casualty of the piling on of credentials which has the natural effect of limiting the pool of qualified O&M professionals, quite the opposite intent to solve the problem. Part, and only part of the solution, it seems to me, is to open more areas of acceptance of our certification to participate in these interdisciplinary teams such as in the school systems and Veterans Administration. IN full disclosure, I may admittedly be basing my assumptions on dated information, being away from the field of late.
Best,
Maurice
From: NOMC <nomc-bounces at lists.nbpcb.org> On Behalf Of s.colin.wong at gmail.com
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2022 13:10
To: 'Altman, Jeff' ; 'Merry-Noel' <owinm at yahoo.com>; 'Jane Lansaw' <widearc2000 at gmail.com>; 'NOMC Mailing List' <NOMC at lists.nbpcb.org>
Subject: Re: [Nomc] ACVREP considering certifying occupational therapist for love vision and blindness
I have heard about this in areas where cane travel instructors are at a shortage. Different skillset entirely, but done mostly out of desperation. In the isolated cases that I have known about, the OT were not overstepping because they wanted to, and it was supposed to be a temporary measure until an O&M instructor was found. Merely anecdotal evidence though. However, across the board, in k-12 settings, due to the teacher shortages, they are lowering the standards needed to be an educator, so I'm sure special education is also taking an unfortunate hit as well.
Warm regards,
Colin Wong
From: NOMC <nomc-bounces at lists.nbpcb.org> On Behalf Of Altman, Jeff
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2022 5:55 AM
To: Merry-Noel <owinm at yahoo.com>; Jane Lansaw <widearc2000 at gmail.com>; NOMC Mailing List <NOMC at lists.nbpcb.org>
Subject: Re: [Nomc] ACVREP considering certifying occupational therapist for love vision and blindness
I have run across this a few times, but not in an organized effort. I always explain to PT's and OT's especially, that they basically work with people from the neck down, and we work with them from the neck up, and there simply isn't enough overlap for either of us to attempt to do the other person's job, not without going through the required training anyway. In any case, they're not lining up for the LATech program as far as I can tell.
Jeff
From: NOMC > On Behalf Of Merry-Noel
Sent: Wednesday, October 26, 2022 7:12 PM
To: Jane Lansaw >; NOMC Mailing List >
Subject: Re: [Nomc] ACVREP considering certifying occupational therapist for love vision and blindness
Hello Jane and others,
I have seen this happen in the school system in Nebraska. When this happens, I have mentioned to the person that it is crossing professional lines. Together, we can best serve our student so we need to collaborate. I have a meeting next week with an OT to plan for a student with Batten's Disease.
Merry-Noel
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On Wednesday, October 26, 2022, 7:00 PM, Jane Lansaw > wrote:
Good evening colleges,
I am sitting in the orientation mobility specialist association meeting and listening to people worry about a news certification that may be coming through the Academy.
Is anybody on our team seeing occupational and physical therapists stepping out of line and trying to teach orientation and mobility? this is the first that I heard it was a problem and the first I heard academy is considering certifications for occupational therapist in either blindness or low vision. Some COMS are already saying they are seeing paraprofessionals doing their jobs. they seem to be referring to occupational therapists and physical therapists. Is anybody on our team seeing this? I'm really not.
A little concerned about what the Academy plans to certify and how robust the tests are but honestly, I'm just not seeing it in my area. It's definitely something to watch but more to watch what the Academy is up to then watching occupational and physical therapists to see if they are stepping over a line.
Even in Oklahoma where we have a training center accredited by NAC, using occupational therapists and certified occupational therapy assistance to teach braille and home management skills, even there they look to certified orientation mobility specialist for cane travel. I'm just not seeing these people step over the line. Am I isolated here in this state? Is there a lot going on and I don't know?
Curiouser and curiouser,
Jane Lansaw
NOMC
Tulsa Oklahoma
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