Two visiting specialists were on the Island this week to teach local visually-impaired children how to travel independently in their community.

Orientation and mobility specialists Derick Bright and Robert McCulluy, of the University of Massachusetts in Boston, told The Royal Gazette their specialty involved techniques which enabled people to use their senses to travel safely in their home, work environment and within the community.

"It is a formalised set of training,'' Mr. Bright explained. "Some techniques do involve the use of canes.'' He added that people who had not completely lost their sight could also benefit from the training.

Both specialists noted that many people did not know about the profession and part of their job was to spread the word.

They also suggested that Bermuda should have its own orientation and mobility specialist.

"It is not cost effective for us to go back and forth,'' said Mr. Bright.

Both he and Mr. McCulluy pointed out that there was a difference between orientation and mobility specialists and the more well-known occupational therapists.

"With occupational therapists there is more of a medical emphasis,'' Mr.

McCulluy explained. "Ours has an emphasis on the visual impaired.'' Mr. Bright added that occupational therapists did not have the skills to work with the blind.

"We are more specialised and are educated on a masters degree level,'' he said.

At the moment, teacher of the visually impaired Marty Davis, said there were ten students in Bermuda who could benefit from the expertise of an orientation and mobility specialist.

Last week the two visiting specialists worked with three of those youngsters to advance their mobility skills.

Mrs. Davis pointed out that the students already had basic skills.

"They (the orientation and mobility specialists) further advanced them,'' she said.

Seven-year-old Matthew Johnson, who will be attending St. George's Preparatory this fall, said he learned the two-point touch -- a cane technique -- from Mr.

Bright.

"It really is a skill that has to be developed over time,'' Mr. McCulluy said.

Matthew said he also learned how to go up and down the stairs at his school, a skill he will need since his primary four classroom will be located on the second floor of St. George's Preparatory.

"I also learned it in case there isn't a railing on stairs in the future,'' Matthew added.

He also said he learned from the specialists a technique called clearing.

"It's when you move the cane around an area to find the right information you need,'' Matthew explained.

Mrs. Davis pointed out that it was best for the students to learn and practice the techniques in the environment where they will be required to use them.

Eleven-year-old Tmara Fubler demonstrated how to use a braille compass which will give her a sense of direction.

Tmara added that in addition to learning how to get from the front entrance of Somerset Primary to her second-floor classroom, she also learned -- in a bid to be independent -- how to get to the sanctuary of her church by feeling along the walls.

"They're (the techniques) easy once you get the hang of them,'' she added.

Both youngsters said they were confident that they could get around their individual schools next month, even with lots of children running about.

Despite their accomplishments, Mr. Bright pointed out that both children would need more training when they get older.

"Unless kids and adults participate in a slow progression of instructed lessons, the tendency is for them to just stay home,'' he added. "We try to make them more independent. If the person has the training then they have the choice of being independent. We give that choice to people.'' Both specialists said children who lost their sight at birth required more education than someone who lost their sight later in life.

"They require a lot more educational processes and functions,'' Mr. McCulluy explained. "You have to teach them more concepts. They have to learn that a moving car is dangerous.

"With adults, they have to alter their lifestyles, make adjustments and deal with the emotional issues of losing their sight. The two are very different.'' He added that he helped Bermudians, who had just lost their sight, adjust to their new circumstances during his week-long visit.

Both men said they became interested in the beeping-sound crosswalks, located around the Island, after assessing a 17-year-old visually-impaired girl's ability to cross streets.

"We are interested in the sounding crosswalks in Bermuda,'' Mr. Bright said.

"They are not that widespread in the US. But there are other techniques they can use like listening to traffic. Listening is where they get most of their information.''