Jessica Osborn joined the Iowa Department for the Blind (IDB) Independent Living (IL) program as the new IL Rehabilitation Teacher on Monday, July 13, 2015. She will be domiciled out of Cherokee County serving northwest Iowa once she has completed training.

Jessica is a graduate of Western Michigan University with a Master of Arts degree in Blind Rehabilitation Teaching. She also has a Bachelor of Science, Cum Laude, from the same university. She comes to the IDB with fifteen years of direct service experience working as an independent living rehabilitation teacher. She has worked for the Veteran’s Administration as well as in community rehabilitation programs serving blind clients. Her areas of expertise include vision and skills assessment, teaching Grades I and II Braille, activities of daily living, independent living skills, and communications. She is also skilled in using JAWS as well as Microsoft office products and other adaptive aids.

Jessica’s hobbies and interests include having dinner parties with friends and playing card games. She loves her iPhone, playing on the computer, and says that she is addicted to technology. Jessica also enjoys listening to suspense and psychological thrillers and audio described movies on Blind Mice Mart. While she hasn’t had time recently to engage in these hobbies, camping, gardening, and growing aromatic flowers are other favorite activities.

Jessica reports that she is very excited to have begun a new phase of her life here in Iowa with the Department. We are absolutely delighted to have Jessica on board and know she will make a huge contribution to the mission of our agency. Please join us in giving her a warm and heartfelt welcome.