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The Charles W. McDowell Center

The Charles W. McDowell Rehabilitation Center of the Kentucky Department for the Blind was named after it’s first Executive Director. He served in the Department from 1976-1992. His leadership and vision made this Center possible for all Kentuckians with visual impairments. The Charles W. McDowell Center opened its doors in September 1994. The building was dedicated in November 1994.

Our facility is designed to give individuals throughout the state the opportunity to come together to share new experiences. Our goal is to provide skills, which will enable you to live independently and look at future opportunities for employment. We have a qualified, experienced staff, which will assist you in your plan for rehabilitation.

Introduction

This handbook contains information that will answer many of the questions you may have about coming to the Rehabilitation Center.

If you have any questions regarding the Rehabilitation Center please feel free to call the Coordinator of Consumer Services at 502-429-4460 ext. 242.

Upon your arrival at the Center you will be greeted by one of the Resident Aides. They will show you to your room and provide you with your room key and linens. If you are a day consumer the receptionist will greet you and call the Coordinator of Consumer Services. The Coordinator will work with you to set up your schedule and show you to your first program.

Monday morning, there will be a consumer orientation. This orientation will include the following staff, the Coordinator of Consumer Services, Registered Nurse, Recreational Therapist and an Orientation & Mobility Specialist.

WELCOME

If staying in the dormitory facility, please arrive after 2:00 p.m. on SUNDAY. If traveling by Greyhound bus, we will pay for a Yellow Cab to transport you to the Center. A residential aide will be on duty to greet you upon your arrival to the Center. Classes occur Monday through Thursday 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. and Friday 8:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. The center is open for use on weekends but you may want to return home. If you are a day student, please report to the Center at the time specified in your acceptance letter. Upon your arrival, ask the receptionist to contact the Coordinator of Consumer Services. If your arrival time differs from these hours, please discuss alternate arrangements with the Coordinator of Consumer Services by calling 502-429-4460.

Alarm Clock

Picture I.D.

Money for snacks

Personal Grooming Articles (soap, shampoo, etc.)

Health & Beauty Aides

Clothing and shoes:

Seasonal clothing for indoors and outdoors

One outfit suitable for a job interview

Leisure time clothing (bathing suit, shorts, warm-ups, etc)

Appropriate clothes for class

Comfortable walking shoes

Low Vision Aids if you have them such as glasses, sunglasses, monoculars, magnifiers, etc.

Copy of Special Diet

Hearing Aids or other adaptable equipment (if applicable)

Medical Insurance Cards

Prescription Medications

Supplies for dog guide if applicable

Snacks (i.e.: canned drinks, candy bars)

Radio, CD player, CD’s, earplugs

Reading and Writing Materials (paper, pens, stamps, envelopes)

Camera and film

Musical Instruments

Keychain

Night Light

• Two sets of twin size bed linens (you may bring your own)
• Towels and washcloths (you may bring your own).
• Cleaning supplies and equipment for your room
• Washers and dryers (not coin operated)
• Use of television, VCR, and stereo system in lounge areas
• Use of refrigerator in lounge area
• Use of fitness room with commercial tread mill and weights
• Use of piano
• Use of vending machines with soft drinks, candy, snacks, and change machine

Note: A limited number of items are available for use in the residential wing, including braillewriters, typewriters, tape recorders, closed-circuit TV’s, computers, and vibrating alarm clock. You may bring such items for your personal use. However, the Center is not responsible for theft or damage of any items you bring.

Dog Guides

If you have a dog from an established school and you choose to bring it to the center, we ask that you follow these guidelines:

• You are responsible for the health and care of your dog, your dog must be free of fleas.
• You must have proof that your dog has current shots and vaccinations.
• You will be expected to keep your guide dog on a leash or harness any time it is out of your room.
• You will be expected to use your dog on a routine basis.

• The dog guide relief area is located at the east end of the residential facility. You will be shown this area as soon as you arrive.
• You are responsible to pick up after your dog guide. There are trash receptacles available near the dog relief area.

Room and board is furnished free of charge to you. You may wish to bring some spending money for outings, shopping excursions, and community events. Consumers who bank independently are expected to do so at the center. Plan to use your home account while at the center. When a picture identification card is presented, Louisville merchants readily accept out-of-town checks. There are also Automated Teller Machines (ATM) within walking distance of the center.

All rooms accommodate two residents. Each room is furnished with 2 twin beds, chest of drawers, 2 nightstands, and locked closets for each person. You will be sharing a bathroom with your roommate. Cleaning supplies and equipment are available from the Resident Aide for your use. If you need a wheelchair accessible room, please notify the Coordinator of Consumer Services. You are expected to keep your room presentable during your stay.

There is one telephone available for your use in the dormitory room. Long distance calls with a calling card and local calls may be made from your room. Long distance calls can not be charged to the center. Consumers are allowed one free five-minute phone call per week. Please ask the Resident Aide for assistance when making this call.

The phone number at the Center is (502) 327-6010. There is a staff person assigned to answer this number 24 hours a day.

You may not receive phone calls during class time unless it is an emergency. You may receive calls before 8:00 a.m., between 12:00-1:00 p.m. and after 4:00 p.m.

Correspondence sent to you during your stay at the center should be addressed as follows:

Your name

Charles W. McDowell Center

8412 Westport Road

Louisville, Kentucky 40242

Incoming mail is available after 3:00 P.M. at the Resident Aide desk. Mail will be read to you at your request. For your convenience, letters may be mailed at the receptionist desk located in the front lobby. Stamps may be purchased from the clerical staff.

The Center provides three balanced meals a day at no cost to you. The meals are served cafeteria style by a trained staff.

Special dietary needs, and special diets are available.

Upon arriving at the Center, you will be shown to your room and given a brief tour of the residential wing. In addition, the emergency exits will be identified and emergency procedures will be discussed.

Monday morning is set aside for the Consumer Orientation Program. At this meeting, you will learn about the various programs offered at the Center, receive your schedule, assigned a mentor, and receive a brief orientation to the building from a certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist. Your mentor will be a staff person who acts as a personal resource or advisor during your stay at the Center. Any other questions will be answered at that time. The Coordinator of Consumer Services is always available to answer questions or help resolve issues.

Life Skills

Counseling

Individual

Group

Success Building

Career Development

Vocational Evaluation

Career Exploration

Job Readiness

Job Search

Orientation & Mobility

Pre-Cane Skills

Cane Skills

Night Evaluation

Public Transportation

Rural & Urban Travel

Assistive Technology

Keyboarding

Speech Access

Screen Magnification Access

Application Software

Forms Production

Therapeutic Recreation

Personal Assessments

Arts/Crafts

Sports

Adaptable Games

Fitness/Exercise

Leisure

Community Outings

Adult Basic Education

Literacy

Remedial Education

GED Preparation

Health Education

The Center employs a full-time nurse to assist you in learning to manage your health needs independently. Please report any acute illnesses to the Nurse or the Coordinator of Consumer Services. You will have the opportunity to discuss your health needs with the nurse and to become acquainted with other available health management services.

Low Vision

The Center houses the Rehabilitation Materials Unit. The low-vision specialist provides classes on how to use the different types of adaptive equipment.

On Sunday evening you will be oriented to emergency exits and fire drill procedures. There is a Resident Aide on duty from 4:30 P.M. to 8:00 A.M. should you need assistance.

On Monday morning an Orientation & Mobility Instructor will orient you to classes. You will also be oriented to both sets of stairs and the main entrance/exit to the building. It is important to know where the exits are located for safety purposes.

Activities off Center Premises

You are encouraged to participate in activities outside the Center. You may leave the premises as you choose except during regular class hours. Some classes may be scheduled on an individual basis at other times, including evenings, and you will also be expected to attend those classes.

• When you leave the Center’s premises, you must sign out with the Resident Aide on duty and sign in upon returning. If you are not planning to return to the building for the evening, you are responsible for informing the resident aide on duty.

It is our goal to meet your individual needs in an atmosphere in which every person has respect for and cooperates with others. Staff is on duty at all times to answer your questions, to make your stay comfortable, and to assist you in any way.

Although the McDowell Center has staff on duty 24 hours a day, your activities are not monitored at all times. During your stay, you are expected to read and abide by the guidelines in this handbook and to have the self-discipline to accept responsibility for making independent, sound decisions in your interactions with your peers and in the safekeeping of your possessions.

The Charles W. McDowell Center is owned and operated by the state of Kentucky. Due to the nature of many people residing here at the same time in close quarters, the McDowell Center has a few guidelines that may differ from your private living environment.

• No one may possess alcohol or illegal drugs while on the premises.
• No one may possess alcohol while participating in a Center sponsored activity off the premises.
• Behavior that results in physical abuse of property or deliberate aggression towards self or others is not allowed.
• Infringement on anyone’s rights, space, and property (such as harassment or excessive noise) is not allowed.
• Use of the paging system is prohibited.
• Socializing is limited to the residential wing.
• Smoking is only permitted in the smoking room or on the patio outside.
• Each consumer is assigned to a residential room and they are responsible for the daily upkeep of that room during their stay.
• Consumers are responsible for keeping the noise level to a minimum between 10:00 P.M. and 7:00 A.M.
• Visitors must leave the building by 11:00 P.M.
• Use of profanity is prohibited.
• Anytime another consumer receiving services at the Center (other than your roommate) is a guest in your room; the door to the hallway must be left open and the light on.
• Consumers are expected to attend and be on time to all assigned classes or programs.

• To use the computers in the study lounge you must receive permission from the computer instructor.

Residential rooms and furniture are state property. If staff believes there is a need, the staff has the authority to conduct room searches. Every effort will be made for you and your roommate to be present at the time of a room search. If this is not possible, you will be informed if your room has been searched. If your room is searched two managers will conduct the search with respect to your possessions.

You and the Coordinator of Consumer Services will make every attempt to fill your schedule with classes and opportunities to assist you in becoming skilled and independent. We look forward to your arrival and will be happy to give you and your family or friends a tour of our state of the art facility and meet our competent staff of professionals.

We look forward to your stay at the McDowell Center and feel confident that you will accomplish your goals during your stay.