Iowa Department for the Blind
Dorm and Apartment Guidelines

1. Order of Preference for Room Reservations
1. As the primary function of the apartments and dorms of the Iowa Department for the Blind (IDB) is to provide housing to students of the Adult Orientation & Adjustment Center (hereafter referred to as “Center Students”), these clients will be given first priority.

2. Other IL and VR clients receiving training, meeting with case managers, attending IDB programs, and looking for employment will be provided lodging in the building as space is available and given second priority.

3. Department staff relocating from another state or city, attending meetings or training, or otherwise performing work duties will be given third priority. Any staff person staying in the building for more than 8 weeks must participate in apartment duty rotation.

4. Family members of center students may (after the first month of training) stay in the dorm rooms. The length of the stay is at the discretion of the center program administrator (PA).

5. Family members and guests of apartment staff will be given fifth priority for dorm room lodging. As a matter of curtesy, the front desk staff, Center Program Administrator, all center students, agency director, maintenance staff and apartment staff should be informed of any apartment staff guests who may have occasion to be in public areas of the building not accompanied by their host.

6. At the discretion of the PA, former center students and former IDB staff may be given lodging in the building in return for conducting business class, leading Center Student activities, or volunteering to assist with transition or independent living programs. Such arrangements must be made directly with the PA. These individuals will be expected to comply with all of the rules for apartment staff and dorm guests listed below as well as all state and federal laws.


2. Rules for Apartment Staff

Note: These rules are in addition to all stipulations listed in the apartment lease.

1. No drinking of alcohol while on duty.

2. Weekend reports are due to PA and Director by EOB the Monday immediately following weekend. These should include:

* activity – who, what, when, where, how

 * issues – ongoing and resolved

3. Rules for All Staff, Apartment Staff Spouses, Volunteers, and Guests Staying In the Building

1. Staff member, spouse, guest or volunteer will not enter a client room without another staff member present unless it is an emergency. Any such emergency must be reported to the PA in writing within 24 hours of occurrence.

2. Any emergency should be reported to the apartment staff on duty within an hour of occurrence.

3. No volunteer, staff member, apartment staff spouse, or guest may be alone with a center student or other agency client in any dorm room or apartment unless it is an emergency. Such emergencies must be reported to the PA in writing within 24 hours of occurrence.

4. Children under 14 should not be in public areas of the building unless accompanied by their host.

5. No guests, staff, or volunteers may park in the alley without permission from the PA.

6. Anyone wishing to use the gym needs to complete a gym form prior to use.

7. Staff, spouses, guests, and volunteers need to get permission from the PA to use the 2nd floor kitchens and computer lab.

8. Guests may not use the 2nd floor kitchens or computer lab when not accompanied by their host.

9. All common areas including kitchens, rec room, and gym must be returned to the condition they were in before use.

10. All guests should leave their rooms trash free, clean their room using the supplies found in the closet, and place stripped bedding on top of the bed before leaving.

11. No cigarettes, cigars, electronic cigarettes, or other smokeless tobacco may be used anywhere inside the building.

12. No alcohol is allowed in dorms or common areas.

13. Keys should not be given to any person to whom they were not issued.