Providing Orientation and Mobility Services to People from Chinese Backgrounds in Sydney, Australia

Australia is a multicultural country with a large number of older people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds who require orientation and mobility (O&M) services. Guide Dogs NSW/ACT receives a majority of CALD referrals for people with vision impairment from Chinese backgrounds. To enable clients from CALD backgrounds achieve mobility goals that complement their lifestyle, it is necessary that O&M providers foster culturally competent perspectives to enhance and promote effective working relationships.