Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist (COMS)

Becky Smallwood works at the Bosma Rehabilitation Center as a Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist (COMS). In this position she teaches people who are blind or visually impaired to travel safely and independently, usually with aid of a white cane. This includes crossing streets, traveling stairs, riding buses, grocery shopping, learning to get around new environments (such as work, school, etc.), etc. as well as maintaining one’s orientation or knowing where one is in relationship to what’s around him/her.

Experience
Becky has over 16 years experience working with people who are blind or visually impaired.
Indiana State University – Adjunct Professor, O&M class for TVIs
Indiana School for the Blind

Education
Heidelberg College (Ohio), B.S., Math and Biology
Western Michigan University, M.A., Blind Rehabilitation/Orientation and Mobility

Certifications
Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS) by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP)

Membership
Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER) – served as president, past president, newsletter editor and awards committee chair.

Becky and her husband of ten years have one daughter. In her spare time (which Becky says isn’t much!) she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, baking, scrapbooking, counted x-stitch, crocheting, knitting, and gardening.