Convention Presenters: Angela Tabb - COMS

Posted by on 2026-09-08 09:30 | Category: presenters

Profile photo of Angela Tabb, breakout session presenter.

Angela Tabb is a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS) who has spent her career supporting people who are blind or have low vision across the lifespan, from infancy through older adulthood. Her experience includes delivering services and training for learners and professionals in schools, rehabilitation, nonprofit, and community settings across Tennessee, Texas, Montana, Colorado, and Hawaii. She currently serves as Chair of the PsychoSocial Services Interest Group for the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER) and is serving a caseload of children at the Texas School for Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI) in Texas.

Angela also has an individual and group training and consulting business, Sensory Travel, LLC with her husband that allows them to go and serve people where needed. Having an adult son with dual sensory loss, she brings both professional and personal perspectives to her work that began over 19 years ago. She is passionate about learning from and connecting with others, sharing experiences, and helping people discover greater confidence in their abilities and skills to live their best life. Angela is especially grateful to return to Montana to help celebrate the 80th annual convention, where she previously served as an Activities of Daily Living (ADL) teacher at the Montana Association for the Blind (MAB) Summer Orientation Program and the ADL teacher and COMS at their Advanced Orientation programs.

Presentation Summery

CANE CONFIDENCE: YOUR CANE, YOUR CHOICE

This interactive presentation is designed to empower individuals to independently manage and maintain their long white canes. Recognizing the cane as a crucial tool for independent travel, the session emphasizes practical problem-solving, safety, and self-reliance when dealing with worn or damaged equipment. Through guided demonstrations and hands-on practice, attendees will learn to take greater charge of their daily mobility by mastering the four core steps of cane maintenance: checking, ordering, replacing, and testing their equipment.

By the end of the session, participants will be equipped with the actionable skills needed to keep their canes in top condition. Attendees will learn how to accurately identify their cane's manufacturer, length, and specific tip attachment style (such as slip-on, hook-on, or threaded). Furthermore, they will discover how to locate and order compatible replacement tips, safely install them using appropriate manufacturer guidelines, and perform basic safety checks to ensure their equipment functions properly—all while recognizing when it is time to seek professional assistance from an Orientation and Mobility (O&M) Specialist or supplier.