Helpful Information for New Students

Living in the Student Apartments

The student apartments are an integral part of the Center program. Living with other blind persons who are learning to deal successfully with blindness will help build your self-confidence, and practicing the skills learned in Center classes will help you learn them faster. Students are expected to use alternative techniques during the time they are in the student apartments and community, and to have their white cane with them at all times when they leave their apartments.

For their evening and weekend meals, students are expected to practice the food preparation techniques taught in Home Management class. Therefore, living on a preponderance of frozen, junk, and fast foods such as pizzas, potato chips, cookies, and colas is considered inappropriate while attending the program.

Apartment instruction takes place every other week, usually on Tuesday. Cleaning requirements will be fully explained to each student prior to the first scheduled instruction session. Apartment instruction is provided to make sure living quarters are kept neat and clean, and to identify areas in which students may need additional training. Minor cleaning problems found during instruction must be corrected by the student immediately; major problems must be corrected as designated by the instructor. 

Students are responsible for always keeping their own bedrooms and the shared living room and kitchen clean at all times. Roommates should share cleaning responsibilities in the communal spaces. Clean clothes must be hung in the closet or folded in drawers. Dirty clothes must be kept in a laundry receptacle. Towels must be hung on the towel rack. Bedding must be laundered at least every two weeks. Furniture and floors must be dusted, and clutter must be kept to a minimum. The trash can must be emptied when full. Any observed concerns regarding cleaning during apartment instruction will be integrated into Home Management class. 

Upon arrival, students will be issued a key to the apartment building and their apartment; there is one mailbox key per apartment which is given to the first student that occupies the space. If you lock yourself out after hours, you will need to contact a locksmith to gain entry into your apartment. Jackson Crossing recommends Ian’s Lock and Key, which provides 24-hour service and is familiar with your apartment type of lock. You are welcome to use any locksmith you prefer. Please know that any damages incurred to the lock are at the cost of the resident to repair. If use of locksmith services is required, please notify apartment management by the next business day. It is prohibited to copy or duplicate any apartment issued keys, including but not limited to apartment door key, mailbox key, etc.

Locksmith Contact Info:
Ian’s Lock and Key 
515-210-7282

If you lock yourself out during business hours, Jackson Crossing will provide an unlock service for you. The first lock out is at no cost, however, if you lock yourself out during business hours more than once in a year-long period, a $35 fee will be assessed for the second and for each additional time. This means, that if someone formerly occupying your apartment has locked themselves out in the current year, even though this is your first time locking yourself out, you are still responsible for any fees incurred.

In the event of fire, crime or a medical emergency, students should call 911. Students may also call the Center Director once the emergency is reported and the student is in a safe location. 

The student apartments are available only for students who are attending the Iowa Blindness Empowerment and Independence Center on at least a half-time basis. Students leaving the Center must immediately relinquish their space in the student apartments, and must take all personal belongings, including their industrial arts project, with them. Any item or industrial arts project left behind becomes the property of the Department for the Blind. Students must leave the apartment in as clean a condition as it was when they first arrived. In addition, they must make arrangements with the post office to have their mail forwarded before leaving. 

What to bring with you

Students are expected to have and practice using a smart phone capable of non-visual access. They are expected to practice using their phone non-visually outside of class hours. If you do not have a non-visually accessible smart phone, your VR Counselor can help you to obtain one prior to entering Center training. 

In order to learn and practice non-visual financial management skills, students are expected to have a bank account with a debit card. If you do not have this, your VR Counselor can help you to obtain one prior to entering Center training. 

Each apartment is furnished with two chairs, two bar stools, end tables, beds, dressers, desks, and nightstands. Also, each apartment is equipped with various kitchen items including dinner plates, bowls, cups, glasses, pots and pans, silverware, etc. If you believe you will need more, you may bring them with you.

Small appliances which are not provided may be brought with you such as a toaster, television set, stereo, electric fry pan, deep-fryer, or coffee maker. If you like to cook and/or bake and have favorite kitchen or apartment tools, you may bring these items with you. If you decide to get cable or Internet service, you will be responsible for paying for these services.

Bedding for a full-sized bed (sheets, pillowcase, mattress pad, blankets, pillow, and bedspread) will be provided to you, however if you would like to bring your own; you are welcome to do so.

You will also need to bring bath towels, dishtowels, hand towels, washcloths, dishcloths, potholders, and cleaning supplies.

Moving into the Apartments

On the day you move into the apartments, you will go grocery shopping and to the bank to cash your maintenance check, accompanied by your student mentor and a Center staff member.

At the beginning of your training, the Center will provide you a long, white straight cane, a pair of learning shades, a slate and stylus, a braille watch, a talking alarm clock, and a monthly bus pass. 

Your first month of training

So that you as a new student will have an opportunity to have a strong sense of independence, we ask that you agree to spend the first month, including weekends, in the apartments without going home for visits. Families and friends may visit you in the apartments during this time; however, they may not stay overnight in the apartments.

After the first month of training, you may have up to two family members as overnight guests in your apartment. Plans for having overnight guests must be discussed and approved with the Center’s Director and your apartment roommate. arrangements must be approved and in place a minimum of four days ahead of time and guests are allowed a maximum of three nights per visit. 

If you are under the age of 18, you have a 10:00 P.M. curfew on weeknights and a 12:00 A.M. curfew on weekend nights. 

Traveling to and from the Center

While traveling to and from the Center each day, including to and from Center activities, students are required to take the bus or walk. Students are not allowed to take rides to and from the Center, or any outside Center activity during the training day from family or friends. This includes Ubers and Lyft. Exceptions may be made ahead of time for things such as doctors’ appointments with permission from the Center Director. 

Medical Needs

The center does not have medical staff; therefore, students needing medical care should contact their doctor or the nearest walk-in clinic or emergency room. Students with an illness or medical condition that prevents them from attending classes for an extended period of time are expected to return home until they are again able to participate in classes and complete assignments.

Students are expected to manage their own prescription and over-the-counter medications. Students are also expected to follow their physician’s recommendations for taking medications. Any changes in medical conditions or medications that could impact training or effect the provision of emergency medical care should be reported to the Center Director so that emergency contact forms can be updated.

IDB Building Security

The IDB building is unlocked weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. For this reason, personal possessions should not be left out in public areas. Fire doors are not to be propped open. In compliance with ADA regulations, the door located on Watson Powell has an automatic door open button; you must wait to confirm that the door has shut and latched before continuing into the building outside of business hours. If you come into the IDB building outside of business hours, you must check in and out with the apartment staff on duty by calling 515-249-6328. 

Emergency Evacuations

If the fire alarm sounds, the elevators cannot be used. Students must exit the building immediately through one of several fire escapes, for which they will receive orientation when beginning the program. They must meet on the northwest corner of 4th Street and Watson-Powell then wait for the “all clear” signal before re-entering the building. If a tornado warning is announced, elevators can be used. Students must proceed immediately to the basement gym area and wait until an “all clear” announcement has been made.

Alcohol and Tobacco Use

Alcohol and all tobacco products are prohibited on Department premises including E-cigarette or vaping products. Department premises include the building’s roof, sidewalks adjacent to the building, and the Department’s side of the alleys. Cigarette butts must not be tossed on the property and once cooled off should be properly disposed of.

Use of the IDB Building Areas After Hours

Students have free access to the gym, vending area, roof, second-floor communications and kitchen areas, and second floor south before and after business hours and on weekends. These areas must be kept clean and litter free.