Training Progress Expectations and Evaluation

The Blindness Empowerment and Independence Center is a pre-vocational training center and thus expects that students will meet or exceed expectations set forth in the training program. If students do not meet expectations, coaching and guidance will follow.

In addition to following the rules set forth in this manual, Center students are expected to:

• Students are expected to socialize positively with and mentor their fellow students.
• Students are expected to put forth consistent effort in all classes.
• Students are expected to complete in class and out of class assignments as directed.
• Students are expected to communicate with instructors and their VR Counselor regarding changes in their vocational goals.
• Students are expected to develop or maintain habits and behaviors regarding time management, personal organization, self-sufficiency, physical and mental health in alignment with those expected in their chosen vocational field.

Progress Monitoring

A checkpoint will be held with each student, Center staff, and their VR Counselor at the six week and five month points of training. This will help to ensure that students are on track for meeting their graduation timeline. Students will discuss their goals and progress monthly with each of their instructors. 

Meetings with the Center Director, a student, and their VR counselor may be called to discuss concerns or make arrangements for additional service needs.

Key Work Behaviors

Because the Iowa Blindness Empowerment and Independence Center is a pre-vocational program, students will be evaluated and coached on their demonstration of key workplace behaviors. These behaviors are necessary for success in employment and center training is an excellent opportunity to learn and strengthen these behaviors. VR Counselors and Center Instructors will discuss with students how these behaviors would be enacted in each student’s chosen vocational field. 

• Shows up on time to class.
• Gets to work and will self-start rather than waiting for instructor.
• Completes out of class assignments.
• Treats colleagues with respect and acts in a professional manner with instructors.
• Maintains Professional appearance.
• Work is thorough and tasks are completed thoroughly.
• Communicates issues and concerns in a professional manner.
• Attempts to problem solve before seeking assistance from others.
• Follows time off request procedures.
• Contributes to group projects.
• Works to increase efficiency and proficiency with important work tasks.
• Works steadily and stays on task through the entire class period.
• Brings needed tools for writing down and reading back notes and other important information.

Graduation Requirements

In order to receive a signed graduation certificate from the Iowa Blindness Empowerment and Independence Center, a student must 
1. Complete a post-center plan that is approved by the Center Director and IDB Director. 
2. Be determined eligible to graduate based on the below criteria as evaluated by Center instructors and approved by the Center Director.

Graduation Evaluation Questions

The number one question: Is this student as competent, self-sufficient, and likely to succeed as they would be if they were not blind?

If everyone answers “yes” to this, there is no need to ask any further questions. If instructors are unsure or think maybe not, the following questions should clarify or point out areas of improvement:

•  When confronted with a new task, does the student proceed on the assumption that it can be done without vision or do they act as if they assume that it will require sight?
• Has the student taken control of their training?
• Can the student think of several ways to perform a task and weigh the merits of each?
• Will the student go somewhere they have never been before by themselves?
• Will the student explore their environment before asking for information from a sighted person?
• Is the student able to gracefully decline unwanted help?
• Does the student get useful information from sighted people or expect the sighted person to guide them?
• Does the student trust the information they receive from their cane and other senses or do they seek visual confirmation?
• Does the student actively practice the alternative techniques they are learning or do they default to a visual method (writing notes with a sharpie, using a print menu, etc.)?
• Does the student recognize when the information they are getting from their cane and other senses indicates that there is a problem (i.e. walking in the street, have made an undesired turn, etc.)?
• Will the student be able to perform all the travel required of someone in their chosen career?
• Does the student have a non-visual method for jotting down information such as a phone number and labeling personal items?
• Can the student deal with printed material at a level that would be expected from a person in their career field?
• Can the student produce documents and other computer files with the efficiency expected of someone in their career field?
• Does the student have and use a non-visual way of keeping track of appointments and contacts?
• Does the student understand how braille will benefit them in their career and personal life?
• Has the student worked to learn braille to a level in line with their intellectual and physical ability to do so?
• Does the student understand the benefits and limitations of access technology?
• Can the student teach themselves new programs that are similar or share common elements with those they already know?
• Does the student appear confident to those around them?
• Has the student made a plan for life after graduation?
• Does the student teach and encourage newer students?
• Can the student take care of their home?
• Would the student show up for a job interview looking similar to other candidates for that position?
• Does the student feel comfortable talking about blindness with potential employers?
• Does the student consider themself blind?
• Does the student treat blind people with generally the same amount of respect they do sighted people?