HELPING O&M SPECIALISTS INCREASE THEIR STUDENTS' INDEPENDENCE.

Let us show you how!

Send me free lesson plans!

How Can We Help?

1. Listen to A Step Forward Podcast

Listen to informative and inspirational conversations with experts in the field of visual impairments.

LISTEN NOW!

2. Grab a Free Time-Saving Lesson Plan

Using customizable done-for-you lesson plans, you will be able to consistently increase your students' independence, even when you don't have time to plan.

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3. Become a Better O&M Specialist

Increase your students' independence and network with other specialists with time-saving, simple, & innovative teaching strategies.

LEARN MORE!

We provide outstanding, innovative and cutting edge professional development opportunities in a supportive online community so YOU can make a significant impact in the lives of your students.

Testimonials from Professionals

"Learning more then I realized I didn't know, is what this Symposium is all about! We often think outside the box as part of doing what we do, but with these sessions we learned how to think bigger then the box. Tips and suggestions that I never thought of are already proving to get me over those plateaus I was struggling with in helping my students."

- Judi Lambert, MPA, M.Ed., COMS
Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist

"Wow! What an opportunity to learn from great presenters. This is a relatively inexpensive way to attend sessions, earn CEU's, and interact with other Orientation and Mobility Specialists."

- Chris Tabb, COMS
Statewide O&M Consultant
TSBVI

"I really appreciated the 2019 Symposium. The sessions were very interesting, even though much of it seemed to be more geared to working with children. It was awesome to have an opportunity to get a conference like experience without having to shell out time and money for travel. It was also helpful that there was more time given in order to accomplish all the sessions, so it didn't take away from work demands. Thanks for all your efforts to make this happen!"

- Kimberley Lambe
COMS, VRT

OUR STORY

When a co-worker applied to present at a conference overseas, it left Allied Independence founder, Kassy Maloney, feeling jealous and inadequate.

“Why can’t we ALL learn from these presenters, even if we can’t go to the conference?” she thought.

So she did what any millennial in her 30’s would do: she asked her friends on social media if they felt the same.

Turns out, a lot of other Orientation and Mobility Specialists also wanted to learn from the best in our industry without having to travel. And so, Allied Independence was born.

Using the power of the internet and her background as an online business owner, Kassy created a way for O&M Specialists to learn the most impactful and innovative strategies without the burden of travel expenses.

Allied Independence is a community-driven professional development organization founded and operated by Orientation and Mobility Specialists who struggle with the same things you face every day.

We strive to provide you with the most innovative and impactful teaching strategies, so that you can change the lives of your students while breathing easier.

TOGETHER, WE ARE IMPACTING THE LIVES OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS.

We are so thankful to have been able to work with some magnificent agencies to support Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments and Orientation and Mobility Specialists with presentations and publications.