AI Resilience Report forLow Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists

Right now, AI in this field is mostly augmenting — not replacing — the work of low vision therapists, orientation and mobility (O&M) specialists, and vision rehabilitation therapists. The technology is showing up in the tools clients use rather than in the instruction itself. For example, the WeWALK Smart Cane 2 pairs an ultrasonic handle with a traditional white cane and adds an AI assistant for turn-by-turn navigation and surroundings information ^[1], and apps like Be My AI, Seeing AI, and Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses now let users get scene descriptions hands-free.

A round-up of AI assistive technology trends in 2026 highlights Ray-Ban Meta glasses that help users who are blind or have low vision navigate with AI-powered features like Detailed Responses (Level Access ^[2]).

But teaching someone to use these tools safely — practicing cane techniques, crossing streets, interpreting tactile and auditory cues — still requires a trained human. The American Foundation for the Blind's brand-new AI Quagmire report ^[3], released March 2026, surveyed more than 1,700 people and found that benefits come with real risks like inaccurate AI descriptions, bias, and accessibility gaps. The National Federation of the Blind also publishes guidance on when AI isn't the right tool ^[4], reminding users that AI image descriptions can be wrong in ways that matter for safety.

That's exactly why O*NET rates the hands-on tasks (cane skills, recommending devices, sensory training) at only 3–4% automation potential.

A few forces are speeding adoption. Consumer AI products are now commercially available and relatively cheap — Be My AI is free, and mainstream smart glasses cost a few hundred dollars. Industry events like the 2025 Sight Tech Global agenda ^[5] explored how AI is reshaping daily life for blind and low-vision people, signaling fast innovation.

Therapists also have strong incentives to learn these tools because there is a national shortage of orientation and mobility specialists ^[6], so AI that streamlines paperwork or assessment write-ups (the higher-automation tasks on your list) directly helps overworked staff.

Several factors slow full automation, though. Safety and liability are huge — getting a street crossing wrong has real consequences, and AI still hallucinates. Brookings researchers note that around 70% of highly AI-exposed workers are in roles where AI augments rather than replaces them ^[7], which fits this career closely.

Ethical concerns also matter: AFB's research stresses shared responsibility among AI developers, businesses, people with disabilities, and policymakers to ensure AI expands access and inclusion ^[3], and clients themselves often want a human teacher they trust. The honest takeaway for young people curious about this path: AI will change what you teach, but the empathy, judgment, and hands-on coaching you bring are exactly the skills the technology can't copy.