McDowell Center

Drawing of McDowell Center
Charles W. McDowell Rehabilitation Center
Louisville, Kentucky
8412 WESTPORT ROAD
LOUISVILLE, KY 40242
VOICE: 502-429-4460 or 800-346-2115
FAX: 502-429-7110 or 502-429-7113
TTY: 502-429-7105

McDowell Center Staff Phone Directory

Charles W. McDowell
1937-1992

The Charles W. McDowell Rehabilitation Center is a part of the Kentucky Office for the Blind. The Center serves individuals with a visual impairment in the state of Kentucky. The Center is located at 8412 Westport Road in Louisville, Kentucky. The Louisville Regional Counseling and Independent Living Services are housed in this facility. Support Services in the facility include residential services, food and linen services (which are contracted), nursing services, and limited transportation services for the consumers. A store resides at the Center which sells adaptive equipment for individuals with blindness or low-vision. A low-vision specialist is available once a month to provide low-vision screenings and prescribe low-vision devices to consumers.

In addition to its classrooms and administrative offices, the Center has 14 residential rooms which house two people each. There is an apartment that can accommodate two consumers or it can be used strictly as an apartment to help determine the skill level of the consumer. When used as an apartment, the consumer is responsible for all of their needs similar to living on their own. They may start at a very low level and gradually increase their responsibilities. This will be determined by the Home Management instructors. A residential aide is on-duty at night and on week-ends. There is a study room which contains adaptive equipment that can be used by the consumers. The lounge area contains a television, stereo, piano, VCR, and many games which have been modified for use by visually impaired people. Consumers are able to take care of their clothing in the Center's laundry room. Laundry soap and fabric softener is provided. Nutritious meals provided by a contracted service are served in the cafeteria.

All Kentucky consumers of the Center are consumers of the Kentucky Office for the Blind. Each is determined eligible and is referred by their vocational counselor or independent living counselor. Referral information includes a summary of the applicant's educational, vocational, and social background, as well as current reports of general physical, eye and ear examinations. This information is reviewed and the consumer is either accepted into a training or evaluation status or deferred. Additional information is sometimes requested from the vocational counselor.

Accepted applicants are given a starting date. The program follows the previously written plan which the counselor and consumer have prepared. If the consumer is in evaluation, the staff evaluates and gives the counselor the progress of each area. There is no direct charge to the individual for his/her instruction or room and board while at the Center.

The Charles W. McDowell Rehabilitation Center also accepts a few consumers from out of state. They are referred by their local state vocational rehabilitation agency; a per diem rate is charged.

Upon arrival at the Center, each consumer is shown around his/her room, the classrooms, and the general area of the Center. In the dining room, he/she is shown the location of utensils and the trays, as well as the seating arrangement. He/she is given as much help as necessary in the beginning. However, this help is eventually withdrawn so that he/she can begin functioning independently.

The actual instructional day is divided into (7) 55-minute periods. It runs from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday. On Fridays, there are (4) 55-minute periods. There are 20-minute morning and afternoon breaks, and a one hour lunch period. Special evening or weekend activities are scheduled as appropriate. Upon completion of the evaluation and/or training period, a report is sent to the referring counselor.

Programs at the Center are individualized to meet the consumer's needs. No one consumer necessarily receives the maximum level of instruction in all areas.

Braille: Classes in Braille consist of teaching, reading, and writing of uncontracted and contracted Braille. Specific applications for Braille that are taught are: Using braille for labeling, using braille for household accounts, using braille for correspondence, using braille for keeping recipes, and using braille for reading books and magazines.

Audio Equipment: Instruction in the use of cassette tape recording and playback equipment for reading, the recording and storage of notes, for recipes, for personal correspondence, etc. is offered. Transcription from tape recorded dictation into Braille and typewritten form is taught to consumers. Consumers are introduced to tone indexing and retrieval of information from tone indexed tape recorded texts. Consumers are also taught to dictate composition material on tape; in this way, they can draft and revise on tape and transcribe the completed work into typewritten form.

Home Management: Consumers are evaluated in several basic areas: personal management, clothing management, home management, cooking, basic communication, and independent living. During the evaluation the instructor gives some feedback as to performance. Some instruction in adaptive techniques and devices is given. At the end of the evaluation recommendations for adaptive devices and/or Training are discussed with the consumer and written into a report which is sent to the consumer's counselor.

Personal Management includes such things as putting toothpaste on a toothbrush, eating techniques, pouring hot and cold liquids, putting on make-up, and shaving are covered. Clothing Management includes various techniques for matching clothing, ironing, minor clothing repair, packing a suitcase, and use of washer and dryer with raised dot controls. Cleaning product identification, through dusting, cleaning a commode, sweeping, mopping and vacuuming, as well as realistic budgeting are covered in Home Management. Cooking includes a wide range of skills from spreading peanut butter to make a sandwich to full meal preparation. Use of appliances such as the microwave, stove, crock pot, and mixer are evaluated and taught when needed.

Consumers ae given instruction in safety techniques and adaptive skills of turning items, and determining when items are done. If a consumer used recipes but can no longer read them she/he is shown large print braille and/or taped cook books. Practice in finding and following recipes, as well as accurate measuring is given. Peeling and cutting up vegetables and fruits is a part of the class. In the Independent Living Program the consumer who has not lived on his/her own is given the opportunity to put all he/she has learned into practice by living in an apartment on the premises of the Center. Responsibility for cleaning, meal planning, grocery shopping, cooking, and "mock" bill payment are the consumer's.

Consumers in the Independent Living Program are expected to attend all of their scheduled classes. Throughout evaluation and training organization of items is stressed. Consumers are given freedom of choice as to what skills they wish to learn and instruction is done in small classes of from one to four consumers in a class. Maximum self-dependence is the goal in Home Management.

Orientation and Mobility: This program is designed to meet the travel needs of the consumer. Instruction is first given in pre-cane skills and sighted guide skills. The main thrust, however, of O & M is the introduction and use of the long cane. Either a folding or a rigid cane is given to each consumer who participates in this phase. Instruction is given in the basic cane techniques and once this is mastered, consumers are encouraged to use the cane in all travel. Orientation consists of the basic concepts of using the other senses to determine where one is in relation to where one has been and where one is going. Each consumer is given instruction in those places that most approximate the home environment. The main areas of Orientation are residential travel, business travel, use of public transportation, and travel on non-paved roads. Once a route is learned, consumers are encouraged to travel independently in the newly learned area. When possible instruction in Orientation and Mobility also takes place in the actual home location.

Personal Adjustment Counseling: Most consumers receive a Personal Adjustment Counseling evaluation. This gives them the opportunity to discuss any problems, concerns, or questions they may be experiencing with regard to vision loss. In many cases this is the consumer's first experience with counseling, therefore, the counseling process is general and confidentiality is explained to the consumer. It should be noted that all consumers are much more than their visual diagnosis - a lifetime of experiences are brought to the Center, therefore, the consumer is evaluated as a whole person to determine a need for more counseling and/or other related services. Consumers are given the option of being in Personal Counseling when, or if they return for training in other areas.

Success Building Class: This one-hour class is facilitated daily by the personal adjustment counselor. Success Building covers a wide variety of topics which include first impressions (the importance of looking and being out best), self-acceptance and self-esteem, dealing with issues of anger, stress, fear, and trust, communication, including body language, assertiveness, self-advocacy, loss and the grieving.

Personal Health Care Management: The Center employs a full-time registered nurse to assist consumers in learning to manage their health needs independently. Consumers have the opportunity to discuss health needs with the nurse and to become acquainted with other available health management services. Other areas of service the nurse provides include: medical history and assessment, diabetic management, nutritional counseling, stress management, first aid, and adaptive equipment training.

Adult Basic Education: Adult Basic Education provides accessible training in writing, reading, math and spelling for people with low-vision or blindness who are not being served in the community based ABE programs that are designed primarily for non-disabled individuals. Accessible formats include large print, braille, audiotape or using a closed circuit television. A consumer may focus on literacy, remediation, GED preparation or ACT or SAT preparation.

Career Development Services is a program that helps individuals to realize their occupational goals. Individualized services are provided to each consumer.

The evaluator initially performs an intake interview to accumulate information such as: medical and social history, educational and work history, interests and avocation. Different types of tests are administered and then the evaluator and consumer have an "exit" interview, and the evaluator reviews test results and the conclusions and the recommendations. The evaluator writes a formal report and sends it to the counselor.

Every reasonable effort is made to accommodate persons with different kinds of disabilities. Modifications for the blind and visually impaired are most common at Career Development Services, including tests in Braille or large print or on audio tape. The consumers who are deaf can be accommodated, and the building is accessible to wheelchair users, including an adapted restroom.

Classes are structured to encourage self-awareness regarding personal interests, work values, experience, and skills. Worker traits are integrated into various computer searches. Job descriptions, training and educational requirements, salary ranges, and employment outlook are presented to assist an individual with personal planning career planning.

Services provided by ATS are related to the use of computer technology to overcome some of the barriers or limitations imposed on individuals as a result of loss of vision. Persons interested in receiving any of the services described should contact a Office for the Blind counselor.

Computer Keyboarding: Consumers learn the keyboard and how to type personal and business letters. Basic computer skills are introduced once the keyboard is mastered. Timed writings are performed to document the consumers’ progress and to submit for job opportunities.

Assistive Technology and Computer Skills: Assistive Technology Services will assist in determining the types of modifications or assistive technology necessary in making the educational facility or worksite accessible to individuals who are blind or visually-impaired. ATS will also provide assistance in procuring and setting up any equipment required by the consumer in performing school or job tasks.

When appropriate, an Assistive Technology Specialist will develop a plan of action and make recommendations to the referring Counselor for the provision of training and/or engineering services for the individual.

Computer Training: Assistive Technology Services offers a wide range of training designed to assist persons who are blind or visually-impaired in attaining vocational or educational goals. In-house or on-site training on computers, computer software, computer access devices and specialized devices is included as a part of the total program. The exact course of study is tailored to each consumer's specific needs. The training period will last from one to six weeks depending on the course of study.

Independent Living Services are part of the Louisville Regional Counseling Services. This area provides for visually impaired consumers that do not have vocational goals. These consumers need services, but they may or may not want to pursue employment. Independent Living Instructors go to the consumers home and provide the instruction to enable them to maintain their independence as much as possible. They do things such as label and mark stoves with Hi-Marks. They provide specialized instruction to help that consumer meet their needs.

Services that are not available at the Charles W. McDowell Rehabilitation Center may be obtained from sources within the community. These include services such as Therapy and Medical assistance when necessary. Evaluation of consumers with orthopedic and other disabilities in addition to blindness are obtained from facilities within the community.

Braille Material: a Braille Specialist provides Braille transcriptions to OFB staff at the Center and throughout the state, OFB consumers, and to community groups. This specialist also provides instructions to students in the use of special devices like the Braille 'n Speak and the Braille-Lite and use of the Internet.