WOW, this discussion was fascinating! The fact that we struggle to wrap our minds around some kind of standard for what consumers and funding sources can expect with our training, and how to measure the success of that training is such a great illustration of why our professions need to become better prepared for third-party funding sources. That is exactly what the Task Force on Third-Party Coverage for Specialized Services had concluded a few months ago!!! I’ll share this discussion with AER’s listservs. NATIONAL CONVERSATION -- June 12, 2018 This is very timely, because the national (international?) conversation that we had planned last March to discuss the report of the Task Force has been rescheduled for June 12 at 3:00 EST (yes, it’s the same day that our President plans to meet with the North Korean President, but our event is CONFIRMED for sure, our President Joe Catavero will not cancel on a whim!!!). Details of how to call in to this free event will be sent later this week. Meanwhile, here is a description that was sent out last March: ---------------------- You are invited to join in a national conversation about the field's need to focus our advocacy efforts in directions other than Medicare/third-party reimbursement for vision rehabilitation services at this time. Key task force leaders and participants will share their perspectives and walk us through the task force's conclusion that we should suspend our pursuit of third-party reimbursement while we prepare to be more accountable to funding sources, and pursue initiatives to promote and strengthen our professions and provide our service to all those who need it. ---------------------- -- Dona From: Michelle Antinarelli Sent: Wednesday, May 23, 2018 9:31 AM To: Orientation and Mobility Subject: Re: [OrientationAndMobility] # hours / transportation I would also ask what does "average" mean, and how meaningful this term is. If we have "A" students, "B" students, and "C" students, does that indicate that getting 75% mastery of skills is satisfactory? Or does that mean mastery of 75% of skills? Or does that mean an individual is likely to need more instruction for new environments? Sent from my iPhone Michelle J. Antinarelli, COMS Email mjant@charter.net Cell 508-498-1158 On May 23, 2018, at 9:05 AM, Leslie Bailiff <leslie.bailiff@sanjuan.edu> wrote: I agree with needing the research but also when does the training end? I know how important transportation is and should this be included. Are we just talking about skills or training the traveler with getting to the new job on "transportation" ( whatever form that comes with). Get Outlook for Android From: Robertson, Meg (MCB) Sent: Wednesday, May 23, 5:31 AM Subject: Re: [OrientationAndMobility] # hours To: Orientation and Mobility Good day, I would agree and ask for more but do we have any research or documentation on the minimal vs the max amount of OM lessons it should take the 'average' OM student, with no other disabilities for both adults and children, long cane travelers? This would be so helpful in justifying to administrators, policy makers, etc., in the adult rehab world, the need for OM for both long cane users and low vision non long cane users, but use a cane for ID and need OM at street crossings, etc. This is just the OM part of Vision Rehab not the other Vision Rehab needs-correct? That needs to be clearly stated in the request so the VRC understands there are different parts of vision rehab needed such as VRT & AT in addition to OM. (Even if you already think the VRC understands this difference.) Meg Robertson COMS MA Director, Orientation and Mobility Department Massachusetts Commission for the Blind 600 Washington St. 3rd Floor Boston MA 02111 617-626-7581 Meg.Robertson@state.ma.us The Massachusetts White Cane Law states “At street crossings, motorists must STOP for pedestrians using a white cane or guide dog!” -----------------(msg)------------- From: OrientationAndMobility [mailto:orientationandmobility-bounces@lists.blindcanadians.ca] On Behalf Of Janet M. Barlow Sent: Wednesday, May 23, 2018 8:04 AM To: Orientation and Mobility Subject: Re: [OrientationAndMobility] # hours I’d say at least 100 hours but you might want to ask for more? Janet -- Sent from my IPhone Janet M. Barlow Accessible Design for the Blind -----Original Message----- > On May 22, 2018, at 7:08 PM, Kcc wrote: I’m going to start by saying I have been asked a loaded question and I’m sure the answer is out there… There are so many “it depends” in this question it is not even funny! I have a VR counselor who is trying to get the insurance company to pay for a newly totally blind 50-year-old something client’s blind rehab program. The facts: *she has a job and is looking to return to it upon completion of her blind rehab program, *she is at the extreme beginning of her blind rehab program a.k.a. human guide and protect of techniques. Question: if you were to propose she go to a rehab center program how many hours would you ballpark/ estimate for her to get through foundational O&M skills and say through basic residential travel and have a fair amount of confidence and proficiency. Intelligence and cognitive are all intact. Thoughts? Thank you very much Kathy > Kathy, life has just got to be lived _______________________________________________