SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Travel through environments whilst experiencing a visual barrier 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
264935  Travel through environments whilst experiencing a visual barrier 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Inclusive Education 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 05 - Education, Training and Development Adult Learning 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  15 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard replaces: 
US ID Unit Standard Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Credits Replacement Status
117090  Travel through environments whilst experiencing a visual barrier  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  15   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
The purpose of this Unit Standard is to enhance the practitioner's personal mobility skills. The practitioner is put through activities in which his/her own vision is compromised to effect his/her mobile competencies, and to develop insight into the challenges facing persons who are blind and partially sighted.

The qualifying learner will be competent in:
  • Explaining the various methods of travel used by blind and partially sighted persons.
  • Using sighted guide techniques for travel.
  • Employing techniques for travel without the use of mobility aids.
  • Using a long cane for travel/mobility in indoor and outdoor environments. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Communication skills at NQF Level 4.
  • Orientate self to the environment whilst experiencing a visual barrier at NQF Level 5. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Explain the various methods of travel used by blind and partially sighted persons. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Methods for independent movement are identified in relation to travel by blind and partially sighted persons. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Methods include, but are not limited to:
  • Guide dog, long cane, adaptive mobility devices and electronic travel aids.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Strengths and limitations of each method of travel/mobility are explained in terms of individual needs and the travel environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Contexts in which these methods of travel may be applied are explained in relation to individual circumstances. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Contexts include, but are not limited to:
  • Urban, rural, indoor, outdoor, controlled and uncontrolled.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Methods of travel/mobility suitable for the environment are selected according to individual circumstances. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Use sighted guide techniques for purposeful mobility. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Sighted guide techniques are demonstrated in accordance with Orientation and Mobility practice. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Sighted guide techniques are selected in relation to individual circumstances, needs and abilities. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Adaptations of sighted guide techniques are implemented in relation to individual circumstances, needs and abilities. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The implemented sighted guide techniques are evaluated in terms of their safety and effectiveness for a given situation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Sighted guide techniques are applied in accordance with generally accepted Orientation and Mobility practices. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Employ techniques for travel without the use of mobility aids. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Mobility aids includes, but is not limited to:
  • Assistance from sighted guides, dog guides or assistive devices such as canes. 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Pre-cane mobility techniques are selected that are appropriate to individual circumstances, needs and abilities. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Techniques includes, but is not limited to:
  • Protective techniques and trailing.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Pre-cane mobility techniques are demonstrated in accordance with Orientation and Mobility practices. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Techniques includes, but is not limited to:
  • Protective techniques and trailing.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Adaptations of pre-cane techniques are implemented in relation to individual circumstances, needs and abilities. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The implemented pre-cane techniques are evaluated in terms of their safety and effectiveness for a given situation. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Use a long cane for mobility in indoor and outdoor environments. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Cane techniques are selected according to their suitability to the purpose and promotion of safe Travel for a given situation. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Cane techniques include, but are not limited to:
  • Touch, diagonal, touch and drag, three-point touch, touch and slide techniques, shore lining as well as techniques for negotiating street crossings, traffic lights, shopping malls, techniques for negotiating doorways and stairs and techniques utilized in rural travel.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Cane techniques are demonstrated in accordance with Orientation and Mobility practices. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Adaptations of cane techniques are implemented in relation to individual circumstances, needs and abilities. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Techniques used are reflected upon and adapted for personal safety and preference. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this Unit Standard must be accredited by the relevant ETQA.
  • External Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA at its discretion.
  • The accredited Training Provider will oversee internal moderation of assessment.
  • Internal and external moderation should encompass achievement of competence described in the specific outcomes of the unit standard as well as the integrated competence described in the purpose of the unit standard. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    The qualifying learner will be able to understand and explain relevant aspects of the following:
  • Sighted guide techniques.
  • Cane techniques and their application in indoor and outdoor environments.
  • Techniques for travel without mobility aids.
  • The different types of long canes, tips and adapted canes, and their strengths, and limitations as travel tools considering individual needs and travel environments. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems where responses to problems show that such critical and creative thinking has been used to make responsible decisions regarding techniques for travel with and without mobility aids. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation or community to adapt techniques for specific situations. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively to identify and select techniques best suited to specific contexts and persons, safely and optimally. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information about resources and materials to promote mobility. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use mobility science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others when using mobility aids and long canes. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    This unit standard replaces unit standard 117090, "Enhance visual functioning of persons with low vision to improve quality of life", Level 5, 15 Credits. 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  67373   National Diploma: Orientation and Mobility Practice  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  ETDP SETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. South African Guide-Dogs Association for the Blind 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.