After more than a decade-long journey of advocacy and patience, we are grateful to share momentous news for the Orientation and Mobility (O&M) community in South Africa.
The Professional Board for Occupational Therapy, Medical Orthotics, Prosthetics and Arts Therapy of the HPCSA has issued a resolution agreeing to the registration of O&M Practitioners. This significant development was officially promulgated into law by the Honourable Minister of Health on 13 December 2024.
At SAMBT, we see firsthand the profound difference O&M training makes in the independence and well-being of people who are blind or partially sighted.
This official registration heralds the beginning of a new chapter for O&M Practitioners in South Africa, and ensures that the person who is blind accesses a professional service.
The new registration framework establishes clear qualification requirements for O&M Practitioners. To register with the HPCSA, Practitioners must either hold an accredited qualification or apply under a grandfather clause that takes into account previous work experience in the field.
This professional recognition is testament to the persistence and dedication of everyone who has advocated for the importance of O&M services in our country. We are particularly grateful for the role that our M&E consultant, Moira Higgerty, played in the committee representing the O&M sector throughout this long endeavour.
For SAMBT and the blind communities we serve, this registration framework represents far more than just administrative progress – it acknowledges the profound impact that skilled O&M Practitioners have on the lives of people who are blind and partially sighted. From teaching the use of the long cane to helping blind people navigate complex environments, O&M Practitioners provide essential skills that foster independence, dignity, and full participation in society for the person who is blind.
We look forward to seeing how this professional recognition will further strengthen the field of O&M in South Africa and ultimately benefit the over one million blind and partially sighted people in South Africa.
SAMBT Practitioner Xoliswa Shozi and her client Patrick Sithole in rural KZN.
