Childrens services

Triplets

Children with vision impairment need to move around freely and confidently. That's why Guide Dogs provides Orientation and Mobility services as early as possible, so children can purposefully explore their environment. And like all Guide Dogs programs, these services are completely free of charge. We provide children with practical Orientation and Mobility training which is tailored to their individual needs, age and skill level. The training program involves areas such as pre-cane skills, cane training, bus travel, and use of residual vision and other senses. Our Orientation & Mobility Instructors work with everyone involved to reinforce this training - at home, pre-school, school and in the community.

We also provide information and support for families, child-care centres, schools and other agencies. As advocates for people with vision impairment, we can provide recommendations for environmental changes to school grounds and playgrounds. By working together, we can help children with vision impairment to achieve their potential in every aspect of life.

Toddlers and Preschoolers

We work with children who have a variety of individual needs, motivating them to do things independently. We teach these children to move and explore their environment, and to use their senses to gather information about their surroundings.

School-Aged Children

As children begin to travel further afield, they require more specialised training. We provide Orientation and Mobility training so they can travel safely and have choices about when and where they go.

Orientation training teaches children to use their senses to gather clues about their surrounding environment. For example, on a trip from home to the corner shop, they may orient themselves by the sound of music from a cafe or traffic noises at a busy intersection.

Mobility training familiarises children with essential concepts of the world around them, and may include the use of a mobility cane. They may learn to cross a road safely and to identify kerbs, footpaths and zebra crossings. Children may also learn to travel independently around school grounds and between school and home if necessary. Those who attend special schools receive training in class and on community excursions, learning to travel confidently with a carer on public transport and in shopping centres.

How can I find out more?

Contact your local Guide Dogs office for more details or to refer for services. You can also follow the link to our online referral form. Apply for services.