Welcome to the AER Orientation and Mobility Division.
With over 900 members in the Orientation & Mobility Division, we are the largest and most comprehensive professional organization for Orientation and Mobility (O&M) specialists in the world.
PURPOSE
Our purpose is to encourage and promote professional standards and improvement of O&M practices and services by:
- Offering professional development opportunities;
- Encouraging quality university preparation of O&M specialists, and
- Working to improve and expand O&M services for individuals with visual impairments.
MISSION STATEMENT
O&M Scope of Practice
A scope of practice paper was developed to more clearly define what we do as professionals. This document was shared to solicit feedback and then the final document was approved by a 97% vote from division members. Please click here to review this document.
Here you will learn more about What Is an O&M Specialist, Strategic Plan, our current and past leadership, resources, newsletters/meeting minutes, awards, and our Directors Corner
AER O&M Strategic Plan
The revised O&M division strategic plan was approved by the membership in November 2022. Updates will be provided to the membership through division newsletters, virtual meetings, and a presentation at the AER international conference in 2024.
Position Papers
TAER members create position papers on topics specific to the association’s interest-specific divisions. These thoughtful documents provide guidance to professionals serving those who are blind and visually impaired.
LEADERSHIP
Contact information for Executive Committee 2024-2026:
Chair
Margaret Winn
Margaret “Maggie” Winn, COMS, is the 2024-2026 Chair of the O&M Division. She has been a member of the O&M Division Board since 2016, serving in roles such as District Director, Chair-Elect, and Blasch Scholarship Chair. Margaret earned her Master’s degree in Orientation and Mobility from Western Michigan University and maintains ACVREP certification. Since 2011, she has worked with O&M clients and students across the lifespan in three states, with experience in nonprofit organizations, a guide dog organization, and as an independent contractor. Margaret has also served as a practicum and internship supervisor and mentor in the field. In 2020, she joined Oakland Schools in Metro Detroit, where she provides direct and consultative services to students from birth to age 26. Email Maggie at [email protected]
Chair-Elect
Alexa Poynor
[email protected]
Past Chair
Raychel Callary
Raychel Callary, COMS, is the past chair of the AER Orientation and Mobility division and served as chair of the AER Council of Division Chairs from 2022-2024. She graduated from Northern Illinois University with an O&M degree in 2007, and has been an AER member since 2008. She moved to Spokane, Washington where she contracts to work with adult learners. Raychel is an adjunct professor and university supervisor with the Portland State University Orientation and Mobility program. She works to promote accessible infrastructure locally and as a member of the AER O&M Division Environmental Access Committee. Email Raychel at [email protected]
Secretary/Treasurer
Linda McFall
[email protected]
District 1
Autumn Booths-Speer
[email protected]
(Alaska, Alberta, Arizona, British Columbia, Colorado, Hawaii, New Mexico, California, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Northwest Territories, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Yukon Territories)
District 2
Debbie Fussell
[email protected]
(Arkansas, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Manitoba, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Saskatchewan, Texas)
District 3
Jennifer Duncan
[email protected]
(Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ontario and Wisconsin.)
District 4
Eric Shaw
[email protected]
(Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, New Hampshire, New York, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Rhode Island, Vermont)
District 5
Jennifer Thurman
[email protected]
(Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Puerto Rico, Tennessee)
District 6
Joe Greene
[email protected]
(Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virgin Islands, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington D.C.)
Student Representitive - One Year Term
Kristal Alvaraez
[email protected]
RECENT NEWSLETTERS AND MEETING MINUTES
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| O&M Spring Newsletter 2025 O&M Winter Newsletter 2025 |
Recent Meeting Minutes:
Board Meeting Minutes July 2024
Business Meeting Minutes 2024
Business Meeting Minutes 2022
Meeting Minutes September 2023
Meeting Minutes June 2023
Meeting Minutes March 2023
Meeting Minutes March 2019
Meeting Minutes May 2018
Meeting Minutes July 2018
Meeting Minutes December 2018
AWARDS & SCHOLARSHIPS
Donald Blasch Scholarship
The AER Orientation & Mobility Division would like to congratulate our current and past recipients of the Donald Blasch Scholarship. The O&M Division presents two scholarships in the amount of $1000.00, annually when funds are available to two outstanding students. Thank you to our panel of dedicated judges who reviewed and scored our many submissions.
2025 Recipients
Katherine Blough
Kate Blough has been an itinerant TVI in Westchester County, NY since 2006, working with students aged 4-21. She attends the Hunter College O&M certification program and serves on the NYSAER Board. Previously, Kate was the Vice President of The Association of American Publishers, the national book publishing trade association. She received her MA in Blindness & Visual Impairment from Teachers College in 2005 and BA in Political Science from the University of Akron in 1994. Kate has two daughters aged 19 and 23, and in her spare time she enjoys running, ceramics, sailing, traveling, and volunteering with Achilles.
Erin-Lynn Dimase
Erin-Lynn Dimase is a graduate student in Orientation and Mobility at Western Michigan University with over five years of experience in employment services and disability advocacy. She currently works as an Employment Specialist/Benefits Coach at CNS Healthcare and provides individualized care in a home setting. Erin-Lynn is honored to receive the Blasch Scholarship and is passionate about promoting independence for individuals with disabilities. Upon graduation, she looks forward to serving both children and adults as a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist.
2024 Recipients
Katie Fischer
Emily Vetter - Texas Tech
2023 Recipients
Jennifer Scheel- Portland State University
Suzanne Feigenson- Portland State University
For questions, contact Eric Shaw, Chair of the Blasch Scholarship Committee. [email protected]
AWARDS
O&M Awards Committee Chair: Nick Leon
Committee Members: Ana Leffel, Justin Kaiser, Maggie Winn, Mary Kline, Tommie Roesch, and Tricia Sproles
Sandy Kronick Distinguished Service Award
The Sandy Kronick Distinguished Service Award was established in 1994 to recognize professionals who demonstrate distinguished service in O&M through a long-term commitment to direct service. Named after Sandy Kronick due to his lifelong commitment and dedication to teaching O&M while continuing to be actively involved with numerous professional activities and committees.
Lawrence E Blaha Memorial Award
The Lawrence E. Blaha Award was initiated in 1968 to honor people who have shown exemplary behavior in the field of O&M, made outstanding contributions to the profession, and shown dedication to serving people with visual impairments. It is the highest honor that the O&M Division can bestow.
Janet Morgan Barlow Environmental Access Service Award
The Janet Morgan Barlow Environmental Access Service Award was established in 2021 to recognize professionals who demonstrate distinguished service in orientation and mobility through a long-term commitment to environmental access. The award was named for Janet Barlow because of her lifelong commitment and dedication to the field, her steadfast, practical, and strategic methods to address research needs, her advocacy for greater accessibility to the built environment, and her education of orientation and mobility specialists and transportation professionals such as traffic engineers and urban planners on issues relevant to both professional areas.
Orientation and Mobility Awards for the Years 2020 and 2022
Susan Langendonk- Sandy Kronick Distinguished Service Award
Dr. Laura Bozeman- Lawrence E Blaha Memorial Award
*Janet Morgan Barlow – Janet Morgan Barlow Environmental Access Service Award
* The first recipient, awarded posthumously
2020 Recipients:
Rod Haneline- Sandy Kronick Distinguished Service Award
Nora Griffin-Shirley- Lawrence E Blaha Memorial Award
CONTACT
Email[email protected]