There's more assurance with the white cane. Like, I could do it before, really slowly and cautiously, but now I can go quicker, with confidence.
Orientation & Mobility
Our one-week Orientation & Mobility (O&M) program empowers individuals to travel independently and confidently with a white cane. O&M clients learn how to confidently use a white cane to understand your surroundings, plan your route and develop the skills to travel there independently.
When I go out, I'm a lot more open to exploring than I ever was before. I walk a lot more. I can set my own pace.
Comprehensive, Client-Centered Approach
You don’t need prior cane experience, plans to get a guide dog, or specific goals to benefit from this program. If you’re ready to build your travel skills and gain more independence, we’re ready to support you.
Because we’re committed to your long-term independence, your instruction is tailored to you — and you only. Together, we’ll focus on key areas of orientation and mobility that will help you build or refresh the skills needed to travel confidently around your home and community.
Leader Dog offers personalized services for people who are blind and have additional physical or cognitive needs, such as cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injuries, balance concerns, or auditory limitations. All instruction can be communicated in Spanish to residents of the U.S., Canada or Mexico, or using American Sign Language (ASL), either visual or tactile, if a client is DeafBlind.
Practice in a Variety of Settings
You’ll learn within the environments that reflect your daily life, including residential, business, city and rural areas. While most of the instruction happens outdoors, you’ll also build confidence indoors.
Your one-on-one instruction is led by a certified orientation and mobility specialist (COMS) who personalizes the program to meet your goals, abilities and learning style. We focus on building practical skills in real-world environments that mirror your daily life.
All clients are offered a long white cane and have the opportunity to try a variety of cane tips in different environments. Because instruction is active and hands-on, participants should be able to walk for 30 minutes at a time, multiple times per day.
Program Options
We offer flexible scheduling and optional in-home support to fit your needs. When you apply, let us know your goals and we’ll match you with the option that best fits.
-
Introduction to O&M
This option is ideal for people who:
- Have received little to no formal long white cane instruction
- Are new to traveling with a long white cane
-
O&M Brush Up
This option is best suited for people who:
- Have had previous instruction but need a refresher
- Have experienced a change in their vision or travel environment since their last instruction
- Are guide dog users seeking to brush up on their long white cane skills
-
Advanced O&M
This is a great option for people who:
- Wish to travel more confidently in complex environments
- Want to analyze complicated intersections
- Intend to travel more independently in unfamiliar environments
-
In-Home O&M
Available for clients who need to train in their home setting due to personal or medical needs.
- A certified orientation and mobility specialist provides one-on-one instruction in the client’s home environment
- Instruction lasts up to five days and focuses on environments around the client’s home
- Offers flexibility for clients with family or work commitments
-
Flex O&M
Combines the benefits of on-campus and in-home instruction for maximum flexibility.
- Provides a solid foundation of instruction
- Personal follow-up in home environment
- Allows clients to learn in family and work situations
-
O&M for Guide Dog Readiness
This option is perfect for people who:
- Want to learn more about the O&M skills required to successfully work with a guide dog
- Wonder if a guide dog is a good fit for their lifestyle or travel environment
Note: While this class is designed to prepare you for a guide dog, it doesn’t guarantee placement in our Guide Dog program.
Thinking About Applying?
Leader Dog will be with you every step of the way, from application to graduation and beyond.
O&M Accommodations
To help give you and your family peace of mind, Leader Dogs for the Blind coordinates and covers the cost of all public transportation to and from our campus. This is done for clients who are traveling.
When you arrive on campus, one of our team members will take you on a welcoming tour of the Polk Residence Center so that you can become familiar with the space right away. During this time, we encourage you to ask questions about our campus, your upcoming instruction and what will happen in the days ahead.
Generally, the daily schedule is as follows:
- 7:30 a.m. Breakfast
- 8:30 – 11:00 a.m. Morning Instruction
- 12:00 p.m. Lunch
- 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Afternoon Instruction
- 5:30 p.m. Dinner
Instruction finishes around 3:30 p.m. each day, and clients can expect some homework. During the evening hours, you will have free time or can join the activities we offer. These activities include optional night travel, group peer support, themed dinners, movie nights, crafts or live music.
Your private room has everything you need to feel right at home: your own bathroom, full-size bed, desk and chair, small refrigerator, television, internet access, temperature controls and direct access to a secure outdoor area.
We provide breakfast, lunch and dinner in our dining room, and a self-serve snack station in our Residence Assistance Office — all at no cost. If you follow a special diet or have any allergies or restrictions, we’ll make arrangements to meet your needs.
Graduate Resources
-
Peer Support Sessions
In addition to the group session offered while attending the program, our client support and wellness specialist hosts monthly virtual group support calls and offers one-to-one meetings.
The monthly virtual, peer support sessions for Leader Dog alumni are designed to:
- Build community with others who are blind or have low vision
- Share experiences and explore meaningful topics
- Inspire confidence and connection
-
Virtual Learning
Our virtual learning opportunities are designed for everyone, whether you’re considering applying for services, already enrolled, an alumni, a family member or friend of someone who is blind or low vision, or a professional in the field. Take advantage of these resources to stay informed and connected!
-
Continued Support
O&M skills are more than just a single milestone — they are tools you carry for life. That’s why we encourage clients to return to Leader Dog for a refresher and additional instruction on how to handle life circumstances or changes in vision. Through ongoing learning, you can continue to move confidently and independently.
Questions?
We’re here to help. Contact our client services team with any questions about eligibility, travel or program details.
Meet The O&M Team
Barry Stafford
Brad Welling
Erica Ihrke
Garret Waldie
Hannah Jones
Jeannine Penzone
Jenny Senko
Kristy Plesscher
Leslie Hoskins
Lynn Gautreaux
Meredith Bryde
Rod Haneline
Sarah Duyck
Orientation & Mobility Program FAQ
Visit our apply page to learn more about eligibility requirements.
You should expect to walk for up to 30 minutes without taking a break, multiple times per day.
Our goal is to teach you in as many environments as possible. Because of this, you should expect to walk outside in inclement weather. However, if the weather becomes severe, training will occur indoors.
The training schedule focuses on orientation and mobility with a white cane. However, if a guide dog is your ultimate goal, your instructor will discuss requirements and recommendations. Additionally, our Guide Dog and O&M programs take place in similar environments.
No. While the program helps you build important travel skills, completing it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have every skill or qualification required to work with a guide dog right away. However, our O&M program gives you the opportunity to learn one-on-one with an instructor who is familiar with the skills needed to work with a guide dog. Throughout the process, the instructor will assess your current skill level, have open conversations with you about your progress towards your goal(s), and provide individualized training in those areas.
O&M is a skillset that evolves. You may need additional training if:
- You’ve experienced vision changes
- Your environment or lifestyle has shifted
- You’ve lost confidence in certain travel situations
- You want to maintain or refresh your skills for future needs
Discover More Client Programs
-
Guide Dog
Personalized partnerships between clients and trained dogs that restore confidence and independence.
-
Teen Orientation & Mobility
A weeklong program for teens and a supporter to learn safe travel together.
-
Teen Summer Camp
A week-long experience combining outdoor adventure, mobility skills, friendships and leadership development.
Ready to Learn, Support, or Make a Difference?
-
Apply to a Program
Learn the skills for safe, independent travel and lead a life without limits — all at no cost.
-
Donate
Since we receive zero government funding or insurance money, we rely 100% on the generosity of donors like you.
-
Volunteer
Every day, we rely on the support from our community of volunteers, made up of people just like you who make our mission possible.
Family, Friends and Supporters for the Blind
Join Us Monday, Sept 14 for a Virtual Group Meeting
Interested in learning more about blindness? Join our virtual group meeting to learn from others, build understanding, and discover ways to provide meaningful support to people who are blind or have low vision.
Change lives today by donating to the Summer of Hope Fund.
LAST CHANCE to take advantage of our Matching Gift Challenge
Support our $60,000 Matching Gift Challenge and have your gift DOUBLED!
Join Us For Dinner in the Dark!
Presented by AAA The Auto Club Group - March 20, 2026
Our signature fundraiser will take place at the Palazzo Grande in Shelby Township, MI. Every dollar raised supports life-changing programs at no cost to our clients, empowering people who are blind or low vision to live independent, confident lives.
The evening includes a family style dinner, an open bar, hors d'oeuvres, an ice cream and cannoli platter, an espresso station, and on-location parking.
A New Issue of the Faithful Friends Newsletter Is Out!
In our latest Faithful Friends newsletter, we highlight ways we are helping Leader Dog clients — and we invite you to learn how you can make a difference.