Cost-benefit analysis of orientation and mobility programs for adults with vision disability: a contingent valuation study.

There was strong community support for investment into O&M programs considering benefits for clients over and above the cost of providing the services.Implications for rehabilitationThis study demonstrates the feasibility of using cost-benefit analysis with a contingent valuation approach to economically assess a rehabilitation intervention, where its multi-dimensional benefits cannot be fully captured by a conventional appraisal technique such as cost-effectiveness analysis.The high willingness-to-pay (WTP) values amongst the general public suggests that Australians perceive government's investment in orientation and mobility (O&M) rehabilitation as value for money and that individuals would be prepared to contribute to its costs.The lower WTP for O&M partially delivered via tele-practice (tele-O&M) indicates a lower acceptance of this innovation in comparison with the traditional face-to-face O&M.The estimated net present values of O&M programs, positive for traditional O&M and break-even for tele-O&M, can be of assistance to service planning and investment decisions within the Australian context.