Editorial

Welcome to the 9th Volume of the International Journal of Orientation & Mobility (IJOM). The journal is in its 10th year and this is an exciting and highly significant period in the evolution of IJOM. All volumes are now published in an open access format. This means that this volume, all past volumes, and future volumes are available for reading, free of charge, at https://www.exeley.com. Dr Steer and I are delighted that authors are now able to publish their important work and that it reaches an even a wider audience. We are deeply grateful for the ongoing support from Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, Australia for sponsoring the journal at Exeley.

Further, it is with great pleasure that we announce another significant development for this journal. As of 2019, the journal will be published under the name: Vision Rehabilitation International. Vision rehabilitation focuses on improving the functional ability of a person who is blind or has low vision so that quality of life can be maintained. Vision Rehabilitation includes a range of services and tools in addition to orientation and mobility (O&M). For example, low vision optical devices, assistive technology; falls prevention; and adaptive independent living skills. All of these services compliment each other as do the skills and expertise of professionals working in these areas.

As in past volumes, our intent is the same. We wish to publish innovative papers that advance the quality life of people with vision impairment and blindness. We welcome submissions of original research and analyses, essays, conceptual papers, innovative practice reports, evaluations, case studies, policy analyses, commentaries and debate on a wide variety of issues and topics related to the vision rehabilitation of people who are blind or vision impaired.

It is important to acknowledge our esteemed editorial advisory panel who have provided direction and encouragement to us, the editors, over the past 10 years. Warm thanks to Dr Bruce Blasch, Dr Laura Bozeman, Dr Nora Griffin-Shirley, Dr Susanne Grüberger, Dr Kathleen Mary Huebner, Dr Steve La Grow, Dr Nurit Neustadt-Noy, and Dr Sandra Rosen. Appreciation is also extended to the peer reviewers who perform an essential role in the selection of manuscripts that are published.

As professionals in vision impairment and blindness, we as a group have immense skill and expertise. We invite you to share your talent, experience, and innovations with us so that we can publish your work to build upon and improve practices that continue to improve the quality of life for people with vision impairment.