Kia ora, my name is Mark Gear, and I am the Practice Lead for the Developmental Orientation and Mobility (DOM) Team. Our vision is that every young person leaves school with the skills, confidence, and attitude to navigate their environments to the best of their abilities.
The team consists of 13 DOM specialists working across Aotearoa. Our responsibility is to ensure that each of us has the skills and abilities to make a real difference in the lives of ākonga referred to us, regardless of age, level of vision, or learning needs. My role is to lead this by fostering a culture of collaboration, professional excellence, and continuous improvement, ensuring our practice remains evidence-informed and focused on meaningful outcomes for ākonga. Central to this is working in partnership with whānau and other professionals to ensure our services are relevant and responsive to each learner's needs.