History of IAOMS

Compiled by Gala Saber Brooks from records and documents archived by Martha Wynn, IAOMS Historian

History of the Illinois Association of Orientation and Mobility Specialists (IAOMS)

In the spring of 1973, a questionnaire was sent to Orientation and Mobility Specialists regarding interest in establishing a State O&M organization. Also included in the questionnaire were questions regarding the support of the establishment of certification of O&M Specialists within the State.

95% of those responding favored organizing. It was felt that once organized, the group could tackle the problem of certification.

Jann Floyd took the initiative and scheduled a meeting for April 19, 1975, 10am, at IVHI for the purpose of organizing the group. At this meeting, Jann served as Acting President and Nancy Johnson as Acting Secretary. Noel Stephens was appointed Chairman of the Ad Hoc Constitution Committee. Noel and his committee consisting of Gala Saber, Ron Bennehoff, Mike Thuis, Irene Taube and Martha Cole were charged with the responsibility of writing the constitution and by-laws. The initial proposal was presented at the next meeting on 6/28/75 and mostly accepted. A few changes were suggested and approved by those in attendance.

Hines was selected as the next meeting site and a nominating committee consisting of Lee Farmer, Chair and Larry Hapeman and Sue Stealey.

Officers for the 1^st year of the organization included:

President Jann Floyd

Vice President Bob Gockman

Secretary Noel Stephens

Treasurer Martha Cole

President Floyd appointed Gala Saber Parliamentarian and Arline Stephens as Historian.

On 9/27/75, IAOMS was officially organized and the annual membership fee was established at $5.00. The Constitution and By-Laws was also adopted. The organization has a Charter Membership of 31 persons including:

Sue Aby Kathleen McIntyre

Ron Bennehoff Dan McLinden

Gary Bentley Mike Murphy

Bernard Blasch Florence Palumbo

Vaughn Coolman Jackie Rickman

Pat Evans Gala Saber

Lee Farmer Irene Schuler

Sharon Fleaharty Clovis Semmes

Jann Floyd Sue Stealey

Bob Gockman Arline Stephens

Nancy Johnson Noel Stephens

Kay Klushin Irene Taube

Don Kording Laurel Watson

John Malamazian Martha Wynn

Bill McCloskey Sid Wynn Maryann Zigulich

During this charter meeting, several items were discussed including:

· The new Illinois Safety Law indicates that all elevators in public buildings must be marked in Braille.

· October 15, 1975 is designated White Cane Day.

· Environmental barriers. An Ad Hoc committee on Accessibility was established.

· Opportunities for free exchange should always be included before and after future meetings.

· Membership lists

· Coffee & donut fund

· Consideration of a standard minimum fee for O&M instruction on a private basis

· Video tape on accessibility

· Appointment of standing committees

· Guide Dog field representative

· Programs for future meetings

And that was at the 1^st meeting!!

During the next 5 years, IAOMS members worked diligently on a variety of activities and issues including:

· Accessibility and Environmental Barriers- resulting in meetings with State Committees regarding adherence to specifications regarding environmental barriers and improvements.

· Right turn on red law and Pedestrian Safety Committee-resulting in developing public awareness and strict law enforcement of the Illinois Motor Vehicle Code, Right Turn of Red, through the media and local law enforcement groups.

· State Certification of O&M Specialists

· New electronic devices for use by individuals who are blind including the Optacon, Stereotoner, Braille Calculator, Laser Cane, Sonic Guide , Pathsounder and Mowat Sensor etc.

· A letter written to the AAWB Certification to appeal for unity between AAWB & AEVH as they work together regarding national certification policies

· An organizational logo

· Input to NAC as they revise the O&M standards.

· Reaching out to and mentoring O&M graduate students who are completing their internships in Illinois.

· Meeting with the State Board of Education to achieve greater dialogue and recognition of O&M Instructors as “educators” rather than “support personnel”.

· Formation of an Executive Committee

· It was agreed that whatever the delivery system, O&M services should be provided to all clients who may benefit from O&M, and individual objectives should dictate the O&M program for each client.

· The membership voted to support the COMSTAC Committee on standards for physical requirements for Orientation and Mobility Specialists.

· Development of an Advisory Board for IAOMS

· Letter written the Chicago Board of Education expressing IAOMS concern that O&M Instructors were being moved into the classroom setting.

· Letters written expressing IAOMS opposition to House Bill 2880 which was ultimately defeated in the Senate.

· NIU seeking funding to develop a Master’s program for O&M and requesting a letter of support.

· Development of a newsletter

· Evaluation techniques for clients with low vision

· The cost for the O&M Non-conference at NIU in 1977 was $3.50!

·

As you can see from these topics, what “goes around, comes around”! We have problems we still have not resolved in our profession 34years later!

This vital group began to realize that unity is strength and let us never forget that. Look at what was done in just 5 short years…. And remember that you learn as much, if not more, from informal meetings networking with your peers than you ever will at formal conferences.

Questions we may want to ask ourselves……

How better to seek solutions to common problems?

How better to gain the support we need?

What should our next project be?

Where are our priorities?

How better to stand up and be counted?

IAOMS…..What have we done lately?