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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Orientate self to the environment whilst experiencing a visual barrier 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
264954  Orientate self to the environment 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  8 
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
117088  Orientate self to the environment whilst experiencing a visual barrier  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  10   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
The purpose of this Unit Standard is to enhance the practitioner's personal orientation skills. The practitioner participates in activities in which his/her own vision is compromised to hone her/his personal orientation competencies, and to develop insight into the challenges facing persons experiencing visual barriers.

The qualifying learner will be competent in:
  • Assessing factors needed to orientate self in the environment.
  • Identifying environmental information in order to orientate self.
  • Selecting information from the environment within various contexts.
  • Implementing the orientation plan. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Communication skills at NQF Level 4 

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Assess factors needed to orientate self in the environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Requirements for orientation are described according to current Orientation and Mobility practices. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Requirements include, but is not limited to:
  • Concept development, sensory awareness, cognitive function, environmental knowledge and independent movement skills.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Factors that affect orientation are identified and described in terms of to their impact. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Factors includes, but is not limited to:
  • Environmental and personal.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Location of self is described in relation to the environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Spatial concepts and cognitive mapping skills are employed within specific contexts. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Identify environmental information in order to orientate self. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Information from the environment is identified using multiple senses. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Land marks and clues are identified in relation to their usefulness for orientation purposes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Orientation systems are identified for use in specific contexts. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Orientation systems include, but are not limited to:
  • Numbering and environmental systems.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Suitable direction and measurement indicators are identified in relation to their usefulness for orientation purposes. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Select information from the environment within various contexts. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Contexts include, but are not limited to:
  • Indoors, outdoors, rural and urban. 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Information from the environment is interpreted in terms of its applicability in orientation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Relevant information is selected to enable orientation for travel through an environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Travel options are evaluated in relation to safety for the individual. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    An orientation plan is developed using the selected information for a specific context. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Implement the orientation plan. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The orientation plan is implemented using physical senses other than sight. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Orientation techniques are employed to implement the orientation plan. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Orientation techniques include but is not limited to use of landmarks and clues, compass points, distance measurement, environmental systems and visualization/videation.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Selected route is simple and safe in relation to accessibility and information content available. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The orientation plan is evaluated in terms of the efficient use of information to ensure safety. 


    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:
  • Factors that affect orientation.
  • Cognitive techniques used for orientation.
  • Sensory and environmental information.
  • Body parts.
  • Orientation systems and their use.
  • Positioning in space.
  • Perception as it pertains to cognition, sensation, attention, memory, cognitive mapping, orientation and the utilization of information conveyed through sensory stimulation.
  • The use and care of hearing aids.
  • Sensory development programmes.
  • Basic testing procedures for auditory function.
  • Mechanics of human locomotion.
  • Factors which influence mobility.
  • Problems with balance, posture, gait, endurance, strength, flexibility, agility and coordination. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems related to developing and implementing an orientation plan in which responses display that critical thinking is used for responsible decision making. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others to obtain information relevant to the orientation process for persons who are blind and partially sighted. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively in assessing environmental information required for blind and partially sighted persons for orientation. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information about the environment in order to successfully orientate oneself using a developed plan. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using appropriate modes of oral and/or written persuasion in dealing with all internal and external role-players to implement an orientation plan in a specific context. 

    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 117088, "Orientate self to the environment whilst experiencing a visual barrier", Level 5, 10 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.