In blindness services, there are four core training disciplines that support a person’s independence:

• Occupational Therapy
• Orientation & Mobility
• Orthoptics / Low Vision
• Access Technolo

While OTs, O&Ms and Orthoptists can introduce simple concepts, expecting them to deliver specialist access technology training isn’t appropriate — and it’s not what most of them want to do. Their disciplines already carry deep and important responsibilities of their own.
The real strength comes from collaboration, not role-blurring.
Clients benefit most when each professional delivers what they do best, and when Access Technology Specialists are supported to provide the depth of training required for meaningful, sustainable independence.

Each field brings genuine expertise. But it’s equally important to recognise where the boundaries are — especially when it comes to Access Technology.
Access Technology requires specialist capability:

• Advanced knowledge of JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, TalkBack and magnification tools.
• Understanding of keystrokes, gestures, adaptive workflows and task analysis.
• Technical troubleshooting skills across computers, mobile devices and assistive software.
• The ability to train at foundational, intermediate and advanced levels.

While OTs, O&Ms and Orthoptists can introduce simple concepts, expecting them to deliver specialist access technology training isn’t appropriate — and it’s not what most of them want to do. Their disciplines already carry deep and important responsibilities of their own.

The real strength comes from collaboration, not role-blurring.
Clients benefit most when each professional delivers what they do best, and when Access Technology Specialists are supported to provide the depth of training required for meaningful, sustainable independence.

Clear roles create better outcomes.
Specialisation creates better training.
Collaboration creates a better system.