Early Intervention Orientation and Mobility: A Delphi Study of the Content of the Birth to 6 Orientation and Mobility Skills Inventory (B6OMSI)

Abstract

Introduction: The objective of this research was to identify the appropriate content for an orientation and mobility (O&M) assessment for young children. It is necessary to have a reliable and valid assessment tool to evaluate whether young children are making adequate gains in response to early intervention efforts in O&M. Very little literature exists on the O&M needs of children aged birth to 6 years because of the roots in adult rehabilitation of the field of O&M. Methods: A group of expert-level professionals in the field of early intervention O&M engaged in a consensus process to establish face validity and content validity of the assessment items, which was accomplished using a Delphi study to identify relevant topics for assessment as a first step in developing a research-based assessment tool. Cutoffs for agreement were established prior to analysis, with 90% consensus for face and content validity of a high-stakes assessment that allows the score on the assessment to serve as a snapshot of a child’s progress. Results: All skills and concepts on the assessment were validated, and seven new items were added. Discussion: The resultant assessment tool is comprehensive in measuring the areas of O&M for young children that specialists found useful for determining the need for services and monitoring progress, does not contain extraneous test questions, and can stand alone as a snapshot of student progress. One item was added to the background information portion of the assessment tool because of its usefulness to some practitioners despite a consensus level below 90%. Future research should seek to establish construct validity and reliability measures. Implications for practitioners: Orientation and mobility specialists can begin using the updated item tool with improved content validity available from the New Mexico School for the Blind website.

Components of Valid Learning Media Assessments

“…Delphi studies have previously been used to establish content or face validity for motor skill perception questionnaires (Stribing et al, 2022) and to set standards that guide teachers of students with visual impairments in the functional vision assessment (FVA) process (Kaiser et al, 2020). A Delphi study was used to establish the content to be included on the Birth to 6 Orientation and Mobility Skills Inventory (B6OMSI; Baguhn, 2021). Delphi studies have also been used to reach consensus on the concepts and skills that O&M specialists should teach (Wall Emerson & Corn, 2006) and assistive technology competencies for teachers of students with visual impairments (Smith et al, 2009).…”