ACVREP O&M PRACTICE TEST QUESTIONS
2025/2026 | ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY
(COMS) CERTIFICATION EXAM PREP |
VERIFIED QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS &
DETAILED RATIONALES | UPDATED STUDY
GUIDE
ACVREP O&M PRACTICE TEST QUESTIONS
ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY (COMS) CERTIFICATION EXAM PREP
VERIFIED QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS & DETAILED RATIONALE | UPDATED
STUDY GUIDE
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS & HISTORY OF ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY
Q1. Who is widely credited as the "Father of Orientation and Mobility"?
A. Thomas Carroll B. Stanley Suterko C. Russell Williams D. Richard Hoover E. Warren
Bledsoe
CORRECT ANSWER: D — Richard Hoover RATIONALE: Richard Hoover
developed the systematic long cane technique at Valley Forge Army Hospital during
World War II, revolutionizing mobility instruction for veterans who were blinded in
combat, earning him the title "Father of Orientation and Mobility."
Q2. The first university program to formally train Orientation and Mobility
specialists was established at:
A. Perkins School for the Blind B. Florida State University C. Western Michigan
University D. Boston College E. Boston University
CORRECT ANSWER: E — Boston University RATIONALE: Boston
University established the first university-based O&M training program in 1960, creating
the academic foundation for the profession and setting the standard for professional
preparation.
,Q3. The concept of "Peripatology" in Orientation and Mobility refers to:
A. Teaching cane techniques to deafblind individuals B. The science and art of teaching
travel skills to people with visual impairments C. The use of electronic travel aids D.
Training guide dog users E. Assessment of functional vision
CORRECT ANSWER: B — The science and art of teaching travel skills to
people with visual impairments RATIONALE: Peripatology is the formal
academic term for the field of O&M, derived from the Greek "peripatein" (to walk about).
It encompasses the full scope of teaching travel and orientation skills to individuals with
visual impairments.
Q4. The primary professional credentialing organization for Orientation and
Mobility Specialists in North America is:
A. AER (Association for Education and Rehabilitation) B. ACVREP (Academy for
Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals) C. AFB (American
Foundation for the Blind) D. NFB (National Federation of the Blind) E. ACB (American
Council of the Blind)
CORRECT ANSWER: B — ACVREP RATIONALE: ACVREP is the
credentialing body that awards the COMS (Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist)
certification. It establishes the competency standards and administers the certification
examination.
Q5. World War II blinded veterans were primarily rehabilitated at which facility
where modern O&M techniques were developed?
A. Walter Reed Army Medical Center B. Hines Veterans Administration Hospital C.
Valley Forge Army Hospital D. Perkins School for the Blind E. The Maryland School for
the Blind
CORRECT ANSWER: C — Valley Forge Army Hospital RATIONALE:
Valley Forge Army Hospital in Pennsylvania was where Richard Hoover worked with
blinded veterans and developed the standardized long cane technique during the
1940s.
Q6. The philosophical foundation of O&M is best described as promoting:
,A. Dependency on sighted guides B. Restriction of independent travel for safety C.
Maximum independence and self-determination in travel D. Exclusive use of electronic
travel aids E. Institutional care for persons with blindness
CORRECT ANSWER: C — Maximum independence and self-determination
in travel RATIONALE: The core philosophy of O&M is to maximize the
independence, safety, and self-determination of individuals with visual impairments,
enabling them to travel effectively in their environments with confidence.
Q7. The term "orientation" in O&M specifically refers to:
A. The physical act of moving from one place to another B. The process of using the
senses to establish one's position in the environment C. The use of a long cane for
detecting obstacles D. Training the remaining senses after vision loss E. Learning to
use public transportation
CORRECT ANSWER: B — The process of using the senses to establish
one's position in the environment RATIONALE: Orientation is the cognitive
process of establishing one's position relative to the environment using sensory
information, landmarks, and spatial concepts — distinct from mobility, which is the
physical act of moving.
Q8. Which early text is considered a landmark publication that helped legitimize
O&M as a profession?
A. "The Art and Science of Teaching O&M" by Bledsoe B. "Foundations of Orientation
and Mobility" edited by Welsh and Blasch C. "O&M for Dependent Adults" by Hill D.
"Travel in Adverse Conditions" by Jacobson E. "Peripatology" by Lord
CORRECT ANSWER: B — "Foundations of Orientation and Mobility" edited
by Welsh and Blasch RATIONALE: "Foundations of Orientation and Mobility"
(1980), edited by Richard Welsh and Bruce Blasch, is a seminal text that compiled
comprehensive knowledge about the field and helped establish O&M's theoretical and
practical foundations.
Q9. Who established the first civilian training program for O&M instructors?
, A. Richard Hoover B. Thomas Carroll C. Russell Williams and Stanley Suterko D.
Warren Bledsoe E. Louis Braille
CORRECT ANSWER: C — Russell Williams and Stanley Suterko
RATIONALE: Russell Williams and Stanley Suterko, two of Hoover's original
students, established the first civilian O&M instructor training programs, extending the
work begun at Valley Forge to civilian rehabilitation settings.
Q10. The COMS credential requires recertification every:
A. 2 years B. 3 years C. 4 years D. 5 years E. 10 years
CORRECT ANSWER: D — 5 years RATIONALE: ACVREP requires COMS
credential holders to recertify every 5 years through continuing education or re-
examination, ensuring professionals remain current with evolving practices and
knowledge in the field.
Q11. Which of the following best defines "mobility" in the context of O&M?
A. The ability to identify landmarks in the environment B. The cognitive mapping of
spatial relationships C. The safe, efficient, and graceful movement through the
environment D. The use of residual vision for travel E. Establishing cardinal directions
using environmental cues
CORRECT ANSWER: C — The safe, efficient, and graceful movement
through the environment RATIONALE: Mobility refers to the physical ability to
move safely, efficiently, and gracefully from one place to another, complementing
orientation (the cognitive localization process).
Q12. The "sleepshade" or blindfold is used in O&M instruction primarily to:
A. Simulate total blindness for all students permanently B. Allow the instructor to
experience what students experience C. Help students with low vision develop non-
visual travel skills D. Test students' cane technique in familiar environments E. Improve
the student's use of residual vision
CORRECT ANSWER: C — Help students with low vision develop non-
visual travel skills RATIONALE: Sleepshades are used with students who have
2025/2026 | ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY
(COMS) CERTIFICATION EXAM PREP |
VERIFIED QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS &
DETAILED RATIONALES | UPDATED STUDY
GUIDE
ACVREP O&M PRACTICE TEST QUESTIONS
ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY (COMS) CERTIFICATION EXAM PREP
VERIFIED QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS & DETAILED RATIONALE | UPDATED
STUDY GUIDE
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS & HISTORY OF ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY
Q1. Who is widely credited as the "Father of Orientation and Mobility"?
A. Thomas Carroll B. Stanley Suterko C. Russell Williams D. Richard Hoover E. Warren
Bledsoe
CORRECT ANSWER: D — Richard Hoover RATIONALE: Richard Hoover
developed the systematic long cane technique at Valley Forge Army Hospital during
World War II, revolutionizing mobility instruction for veterans who were blinded in
combat, earning him the title "Father of Orientation and Mobility."
Q2. The first university program to formally train Orientation and Mobility
specialists was established at:
A. Perkins School for the Blind B. Florida State University C. Western Michigan
University D. Boston College E. Boston University
CORRECT ANSWER: E — Boston University RATIONALE: Boston
University established the first university-based O&M training program in 1960, creating
the academic foundation for the profession and setting the standard for professional
preparation.
,Q3. The concept of "Peripatology" in Orientation and Mobility refers to:
A. Teaching cane techniques to deafblind individuals B. The science and art of teaching
travel skills to people with visual impairments C. The use of electronic travel aids D.
Training guide dog users E. Assessment of functional vision
CORRECT ANSWER: B — The science and art of teaching travel skills to
people with visual impairments RATIONALE: Peripatology is the formal
academic term for the field of O&M, derived from the Greek "peripatein" (to walk about).
It encompasses the full scope of teaching travel and orientation skills to individuals with
visual impairments.
Q4. The primary professional credentialing organization for Orientation and
Mobility Specialists in North America is:
A. AER (Association for Education and Rehabilitation) B. ACVREP (Academy for
Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals) C. AFB (American
Foundation for the Blind) D. NFB (National Federation of the Blind) E. ACB (American
Council of the Blind)
CORRECT ANSWER: B — ACVREP RATIONALE: ACVREP is the
credentialing body that awards the COMS (Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist)
certification. It establishes the competency standards and administers the certification
examination.
Q5. World War II blinded veterans were primarily rehabilitated at which facility
where modern O&M techniques were developed?
A. Walter Reed Army Medical Center B. Hines Veterans Administration Hospital C.
Valley Forge Army Hospital D. Perkins School for the Blind E. The Maryland School for
the Blind
CORRECT ANSWER: C — Valley Forge Army Hospital RATIONALE:
Valley Forge Army Hospital in Pennsylvania was where Richard Hoover worked with
blinded veterans and developed the standardized long cane technique during the
1940s.
Q6. The philosophical foundation of O&M is best described as promoting:
,A. Dependency on sighted guides B. Restriction of independent travel for safety C.
Maximum independence and self-determination in travel D. Exclusive use of electronic
travel aids E. Institutional care for persons with blindness
CORRECT ANSWER: C — Maximum independence and self-determination
in travel RATIONALE: The core philosophy of O&M is to maximize the
independence, safety, and self-determination of individuals with visual impairments,
enabling them to travel effectively in their environments with confidence.
Q7. The term "orientation" in O&M specifically refers to:
A. The physical act of moving from one place to another B. The process of using the
senses to establish one's position in the environment C. The use of a long cane for
detecting obstacles D. Training the remaining senses after vision loss E. Learning to
use public transportation
CORRECT ANSWER: B — The process of using the senses to establish
one's position in the environment RATIONALE: Orientation is the cognitive
process of establishing one's position relative to the environment using sensory
information, landmarks, and spatial concepts — distinct from mobility, which is the
physical act of moving.
Q8. Which early text is considered a landmark publication that helped legitimize
O&M as a profession?
A. "The Art and Science of Teaching O&M" by Bledsoe B. "Foundations of Orientation
and Mobility" edited by Welsh and Blasch C. "O&M for Dependent Adults" by Hill D.
"Travel in Adverse Conditions" by Jacobson E. "Peripatology" by Lord
CORRECT ANSWER: B — "Foundations of Orientation and Mobility" edited
by Welsh and Blasch RATIONALE: "Foundations of Orientation and Mobility"
(1980), edited by Richard Welsh and Bruce Blasch, is a seminal text that compiled
comprehensive knowledge about the field and helped establish O&M's theoretical and
practical foundations.
Q9. Who established the first civilian training program for O&M instructors?
, A. Richard Hoover B. Thomas Carroll C. Russell Williams and Stanley Suterko D.
Warren Bledsoe E. Louis Braille
CORRECT ANSWER: C — Russell Williams and Stanley Suterko
RATIONALE: Russell Williams and Stanley Suterko, two of Hoover's original
students, established the first civilian O&M instructor training programs, extending the
work begun at Valley Forge to civilian rehabilitation settings.
Q10. The COMS credential requires recertification every:
A. 2 years B. 3 years C. 4 years D. 5 years E. 10 years
CORRECT ANSWER: D — 5 years RATIONALE: ACVREP requires COMS
credential holders to recertify every 5 years through continuing education or re-
examination, ensuring professionals remain current with evolving practices and
knowledge in the field.
Q11. Which of the following best defines "mobility" in the context of O&M?
A. The ability to identify landmarks in the environment B. The cognitive mapping of
spatial relationships C. The safe, efficient, and graceful movement through the
environment D. The use of residual vision for travel E. Establishing cardinal directions
using environmental cues
CORRECT ANSWER: C — The safe, efficient, and graceful movement
through the environment RATIONALE: Mobility refers to the physical ability to
move safely, efficiently, and gracefully from one place to another, complementing
orientation (the cognitive localization process).
Q12. The "sleepshade" or blindfold is used in O&M instruction primarily to:
A. Simulate total blindness for all students permanently B. Allow the instructor to
experience what students experience C. Help students with low vision develop non-
visual travel skills D. Test students' cane technique in familiar environments E. Improve
the student's use of residual vision
CORRECT ANSWER: C — Help students with low vision develop non-
visual travel skills RATIONALE: Sleepshades are used with students who have
