Ruby Cabral joins the show to talk about orientation and mobility (O&M) and activities of daily living (ADL) services for blind and visually impaired people at The Lighthouse of Houston. This episode highlights how O&M and ADL support independence, explains practical training and technologies, covers career pathways, describes resource access, and identifies challenges related to specialist availability. The conversation addresses kitchen safety tools, education options, navigation and cane tips, and community connections for those seeking support. Key Takeaways: O&M and ADL specialists provide essential skills and resources for blind and low vision individuals to achieve greater independence. O&M training includes route navigation, cane techniques, and access to evolving mobility technology like new cane tips and apps. Practical ADL strategies support at-home independence, including adaptive kitchen tools such as liquid level indicators and Teflon gloves. There is a shortage of O&M and ADL specialists and program closures reduce access, making community groups and online resources important for support. Connecting with local organizations, online content, and word-of-mouth networks helps people find ongoing learning opportunities and resources. Timestamped Overview: 00:00 — Introduction and set description for visually impaired listeners 01:20 — Path to becoming an O&M and ADL specialist; supporting visually impaired students in high school 03:00 — Learning Braille and adapting curriculum to tactile formats 05:00 — Orientation and mobility as a career; overview of Texas education programs 07:54 — Training and certification process, including blindfolded practice and practicum stages 08:50 — Internship experience in Tulsa; work with adults and children; introduction to cane adaptations 11:34 — Sensory-seeking behaviors and approaches in children with blindness 12:36 — Certification exam updates and challenges in 2024 13:51 — Rewards and challenges in providing O&M and ADL services 18:40 — Career change story due to vision loss; strategies for transition 21:43 — Rarity of specialists and program disruptions/closures 24:37 — Practical techniques in O&M; training routes; overview of new mobility technologies 27:32 — ADL strategies for independent living; demonstrations and recommended tools for the kitchen 31:40 — Safety in meal preparation; adaptive tools and gloves 32:09 — Tips for resource finding; community groups and local organizations 33:36 — Online resources for continued learning; suggestions for new specialists 34:16 — Closing and information about The Lighthouse of Houston programs Subscribe to Sightless Voices: Unleashing Potential on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, or wherever you get your podcasts!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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