Orientation and Mobility During COVID-19 and the Effect on Psychosocial Functioning.

This research explored the psychosocial effects observed during the COVID-19 pandemic as it relates to orientation and mobility (O&M) services for children with visual impairments. The survey asked professionals to identify what were their experiences in providing O&M instruction in-person and online and to describe their interactions with students and families during the fall of 2020. The online survey results included open-ended responses from 166 O&M specialists. The authors used thematic analysis to examine and code participants' qualitative responses. Psychological and social effects were identified as a major theme across the participants for how they affected an individual's health, well-being, and ability to complete aspects of O&M lessons. Professionals were challenged with providing appropriate instruction given the risks associated with COVID. Additionally, children with visual impairments became more isolated and less physically active over time. Professionals, students, and parents often placed their concerns aside with the idea that changes to O&M services were a temporary measure with the student's best interest in mind. As the pandemic became prolonged, the effects on individuals became more pronounced. These circumstances raise many questions about the effectiveness of virtual instruction in O&M and its effect on professionals, students, and families. The importance of O&M becomes much more evident when considering the isolation many students experienced as a result of quarantine events.