To enhance the mobility and independence of South African people who have visual impairments, so as to enable independence in their own homes, schools, workplaces and communities. The College focuses on providing world class, SETA accredited training for as many student practitioners as our resources and funding allows.

The Vision of the College of Orientation & Mobility is to achieve the highest level of excellence and be the accepted leader in the services we provide:

• The education and qualification of instructors in the skills of orientation and mobility in order that they impart this knowledge to improve the living experience of the visually impaired community,
• Provision of orientation and mobility services directly to visually impaired people,
• Managing a referral service to keep visually impaired people in touch with persons offering assistance they might need.

The learners who train to become O&M Practitioners often come from disadvantaged backgrounds themselves. They are afforded the opportunity to gain an education, skills and training. In this way practitioners can be employed by other organisations and NGOs. Once employed, they can make a meaningful contribution to their communities, their families and be active in the economy of South Africa.

The second-tier beneficiaries are the visually impaired people of South Africa, many of whom have additional disabilities to cope with. The R 100 000.00 donation from the 476 Charitable Trust was applied to this Program. These individuals are no longer a burden to their families, as they can care for themselves and are able to travel independently and function at work effectively. Once elderly individuals have undergone orientation and mobility Programs, they no longer require an income-earning member of the family to stay away from work or school in order to look after them. In the South African context, where poverty and unemployment are a major issue for the majority of the population, this newfound independence is vital. With an increasing number of people becoming blind later in life, it is important that they continue being productive members of society. Students at tertiary institutions require orientation services to be able to navigate the campus at which they are studying. Children in schools likewise benefit enormously from the training offered by O&M Practitioners and have the advantage of entering adulthood with the skills necessary to live independently. Services are also offered to sighted parents who have visually impaired babies, ensuring they are correctly stimulated and grow into fully functional children. Most of these clients live in economically disadvantaged communities.