Sensory Systems and Spatial Awareness
Expert-defined terms from the Professional Certificate in Orientation and Mobility for Visual Impairments course at London School of Business and Administration. Free to read, free to share, paired with a globally recognised certification pathway.
**Acutance #
** A measure of the ability of an optical system to resolve fine details. In the context of sensory systems and spatial awareness, acutance is an important factor in determining the clarity and sharpness of visual or tactile stimuli.
**Adaptive Equipment #
** Devices or tools designed to help individuals with visual impairments navigate their environment and perform daily activities. Examples include white canes, monoculars, and magnifiers.
**Auditory Localization #
** The ability to determine the direction and distance of a sound source. This skill is crucial for spatial awareness and navigation, especially for individuals with visual impairments.
**Braille #
** A tactile writing system used by individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Braille characters consist of raised dots that can be read by touch, and are used to represent letters, numbers, and punctuation marks.
**Canes, Long #
** A mobility aid used by individuals with visual impairments to detect obstacles and navigate their environment. Long canes are typically made of lightweight materials such as aluminum or carbon fiber, and are designed to be extended in front of the user to provide advanced warning of potential hazards.
**Canes, Symbol #
** A type of long cane that has a red stripe or other distinctive markings to indicate that the user is visually impaired. Symbol canes are used to increase visibility and promote safety in public settings.
**Central Field of Vision #
** The area of vision that is directly in front of an individual's eyes, typically extending about 10 degrees to either side. The central field of vision is responsible for processing fine details and color, and is often preserved in individuals with visual impairments.
**Contrast Sensitivity #
** The ability to distinguish between different levels of brightness or color. Contrast sensitivity is an important factor in visual perception, and is often reduced in individuals with visual impairments.
**Echolocation #
** A technique used by some individuals with visual impairments to navigate their environment by making clicking noises with their mouths or using a tool such as a cane to produce sound waves. The resulting echoes can be used to identify the location and distance of objects.
**Eccentric Viewing #
** A technique used by individuals with visual impairments to maximize their remaining vision by looking slightly off to the side of an object rather than directly at it. This can help to reduce glare and improve contrast sensitivity.
**Field of Vision #
** The total area that can be seen at any given moment, including both the central and peripheral fields of vision.
**Guide Dogs #
** Specially trained dogs that are used as mobility aids by individuals with visual impairments. Guide dogs are trained to navigate obstacles, avoid hazards, and guide their handler to specific destinations.
**Haptic Perception #
** The ability to perceive and interpret tactile information from the environment. Haptic perception is an important sensory system for individuals with visual impairments, and is often used to navigate and interact with objects.
**Horizontal Peripheral Field of Vision #
** The area of vision that extends to the sides of an individual's visual field, typically extending about 90 degrees to either side. The horizontal peripheral field of vision is responsible for detecting movement and changes in the environment.
**Joy Stick #
** A type of adaptive equipment used to control electronic devices such as power wheelchairs or communication aids. Joy sticks typically consist of a joystick that can be moved in various directions to control the device.
**Kinesthetic Awareness #
** The ability to perceive the position and movement of one's own body. Kinesthetic awareness is an important factor in spatial awareness and mobility, especially for individuals with visual impairments.
**Low Vision #
** A visual impairment that cannot be fully corrected with glasses or contact lenses, but which still allows some level of functional vision.
**Mobility Aids #
** Devices or tools used to assist individuals with visual impairments in navigating their environment. Examples include long canes, guide dogs, and mobility scooters.
**Obstacle Detection #
** The ability to detect and avoid obstacles in the environment. Obstacle detection is an important skill for individuals with visual impairments, and can be achieved through various sensory systems such as vision, touch, or echolocation.
**Orientation and Mobility (O&M) #
** The field of rehabilitation that focuses on helping individuals with visual impairments navigate their environment and perform daily activities. O&M specialists typically provide training in the use of adaptive equipment, sensory systems, and mobility techniques.
**Peripheral Field of Vision #
** The area of vision that extends to the sides of an individual's visual field, beyond the central field of vision. The peripheral field of vision is responsible for detecting movement and changes in the environment.
**Proprioception #
** The ability to perceive the position and movement of one's own body, including muscles, joints, and connective tissues. Proprioception is an important factor in kinesthetic awareness and mobility, especially for individuals with visual impairments.
**Sensory Integration #
** The process of integrating information from multiple sensory systems, such as vision, touch, and hearing, to create a coherent understanding of the environment. Sensory integration is an important factor in spatial awareness and mobility, especially for individuals with visual impairments.
**Spatial Awareness #
** The ability to perceive and understand the location and movement of oneself and objects in the environment. Spatial awareness is an important factor in mobility and navigation, especially for individuals with visual impairments.
**Tactile Perception #
** The ability to perceive and interpret tactile information from the environment, including touch, pressure, and texture. Tactile perception is an important sensory system for individuals with visual impairments, and is often used to navigate and interact with objects.
**Tactual Maps #
** Three-dimensional models of a space or environment that can be explored by touch. Tactual maps are an important tool for individuals with visual impairments, as they provide a tangible representation of the environment that can be used for orientation and mobility.
**Texture Discrimination #
** The ability to distinguish between different textures or surfaces based on tactile information. Texture discrimination is an important factor in haptic perception and mobility, especially for individuals with visual impairments.
**Vestibular System #
** The sensory system responsible for maintaining balance and equilibrium. The vestibular system is closely linked to kinesthetic awareness and mobility, and is often affected in individuals with visual impairments.
**Visual Acuity #
** The clarity and sharpness of vision, typically measured by the ability to distinguish between letters or symbols of different sizes. Visual acuity is an important factor in visual perception and mobility, and is often reduced in individuals with visual impairments.
**Visual Field #
** The total area that can be seen at any given moment, including both the central and peripheral fields of vision.
**White Cane #
** A mobility aid used by individuals with visual impairments to detect obstacles and navigate their environment. White canes are typically made of lightweight materials such as aluminum or carbon fiber, and are designed to be extended in front of the user to provide advanced warning of potential hazards. The use of white canes is often associated with visual impairment, and can help to promote safety and visibility in public settings.
Note #
It is important to note that the content provided above is intended to be a comprehensive and detailed glossary of terms related to sensory systems and spatial awareness in the context of the Professional Certificate in Orientation and Mobility for Visual Impairments. However, it is not exhaustive, and there may be other terms or concepts that are relevant to this field. Additionally, some terms may have multiple definitions or interpretations depending on the context, and the definitions provided above are intended to be generally applicable and accessible to learners.