Residence Program Guidelines

Revised March 8, 2010

Welcome to the Residence Program!

Overview

The Residence Program at Vision & Vocational Services exists to support the wide range of programming that we offer at our facility.

The Residence Program enhances our relocation program, which helps people with disabilities to relocate to the Columbus area from other areas of the state of Ohio or from other areas of the world. Yes, Vision & Vocational Services has housed people from Ohio, other states, and other countries.

Many of the people taking advantage of the Residence Program do so for the advantages of learning a metropolitan area, exposure to being independent, and access to taking advantage of large employment base. Located minutes from The Ohio State University and downtown Columbus, our Residence Program offers many a chance to transition to an urban setting or just enjoy the activities of Columbus.

A wide range of transportation services are available in the metropolitan Columbus area which allows persons to access different parts of Columbus whether its training, employment, the arts, parks or just enjoying the city.

Table of Contents

Location and Transportation

Located at 1393 North High Street on the corner of North High St. and McMillen Ave, our main door faces the Northside Branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library.

Easy access to public transportation is available, including wheelchair accessible bus service that provides a 15 minute commute to The Ohio State University Campus, Arena and Brewery Districts, COSI, the Convention Center, The State Capitol, and Whetstone Park of Roses. Parking is available in a fenced lot behind the agency.

Additional Amenities

Through a cooperative agreement with the Northside Branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library (located next door on McMillen Avenue, the library issues cards to residents staying with us for a term of two weeks or more. This gives them the opportunity to access all the materials (books, movies, books on tape, music CD's, etc.) available from one of the top five libraries in the U.S.

In addition, Vision & Vocational Services residence program is the community gathering place for a number of local groups/chapters that benefit persons with disabilities. Some include: Accessible Arts, American Council of the Blind, Blind Bowlers, and COTA ATAK Group.

Columbus Metro Parks offer many services and activities that are available to you via bus service (including year-round swimming) at little or no cost. Details are available from your Residence Supervisor.

Residents, especially those considering relocating to Columbus, are encouraged to explore these organizations. They provide a wealth of useful information and social opportunities.

Rates for Overnight, Weekly or Monthly Stays at Vision and Vocational Services

Whether you plan to stay one night, several nights, a week or a month, Vision & Vocational Services, Residence Program has flexible plans to accommodate your needs. Please contact us at (614) 294-5571 for the most current rates.

Your Rights as a Resident

We believe all persons have equal and inherent worth. It is your right and our expectation to provide you to...

  • Be in a safe, clean, non-violent environment
  • Be free from harassment and intimidation
  • Be treated with respect and fairness
  • Have your disability reasonably accommodated
  • Be given information in the most accessible format available
  • Be informed of choices, rules, responsibilities, and consequences
  • Have your personal information kept confidential according to HIPPAA guidelines
  • Have privacy of information
  • Be informed of the procedures for complaints and grievances

Your Responsibilities as a Resident

With rights come responsibilities. We expect you to:

  • Act in a manner which will promote your safety
  • Act in a manner which will promote your health
  • Be timely
  • Be considerate
  • Act to resolve any issues that arise

Behavioral Guidelines for Residents

Below are guidelines which are provided to establish clear expectations for all people who stay in our residence. We reserve the right to intervene in all situations where guidelines are not being followed.

Your choice not to follow the guidelines may result in our needing to contact your counselor, other service provider or family member to problem solve. In some circumstances, your choices may result in you losing the privilege of staying in the residence.

Be Safe

  • Follow directions for emergencies, fire drills, and medication handling.
  • Sign in and out each time you leave the building. (This is critical in ensuring your exit in the event of an emergency.)
  • If staying out overnight or leaving for the weekend, put a phone number on the sign-out sheet where you are staying. We will call you if you have a family emergency, there is a building problem, or a program suspension occurs.
  • Walk dogs before 10:30 p.m. and after 6:30 a.m.
  • When the McMillen Ave door is locked, do not open it for anyone other than fire, police, or emergency personnel.

Be Healthy

  • Let us know your special needs (mobility, vision, food allergies, medications.)
  • Follow guidelines for medications.
  • Alert us if you are ill, or are having a family emergency.
  • Keep yourself, your room and your bathroom clean. Personal hygiene is important. In order to help you keep your room and bathroom clean, you will find cleaning supplies in the laundry room.
  • Launder your bed linens weekly.
  • Dress appropriately.

Be Timely

  • Be in your room by no later than 11 p.m., maintaining a quiet environment. Quiet time begins at 10 p.m, Sunday through Saturday.
  • Breakfast is served at 6:30 a.m., lunch at 11:30 a.m., and dinner at 5:30 p.m. Times may be altered to meet residents' needs.
  • Start laundry before 8 p.m.

Be Considerate

  • Do not download anything onto the residence computers. Many common programs and instant messengers interfere with the proper functioning of adaptive technology.
  • Do not display, store or transmit pornographic or sexually oriented materials on our property.
  • Share common resources fairly (computers, phones, videos, books on tape.)
  • Smoke only in designated areas: the sun deck or the alley out back. Please do not smoke near the main entrance.
  • Have snacks and drinks in the cafeteria or recreation room (not in your room or in the computer area.)
  • Don't borrow or lend personal items or money.
  • Keep telephone conversations, in-room stereos, TVs, games and computers at a low volume.
  • Use headphones available in the common areas for books on tape and computers.
  • Ask family and friends to call before 11 p.m. and after 6:30 a.m. when using the agency telephone line.

Grievances and Conflicts

Occasionally, differences of opinion, habit and temperament can cause difficulties. If you are experiencing difficulty with another resident or staff person, tell the Residence Supervisor who is working that day. In the majority of instances, he/she will be able to help you resolve the issue. If you still feel the matter is not resolved, ask the Residence Supervisor to connect you to the Residence/Relocations Manager, Peggy Wippel. She will arrange a time for a meeting; and if needed, meet with you and the Chief Operating Officer, Michael Hanes or Executive Director Marty Gaudiose.

Zero Tolerance Behaviors

We have a "zero tolerance" for the following behaviors, which means that we have the right to ask you to leave our residence immediately if...

  • You are physically violent (in or out of the building)
  • You bring weapons of any kind onto our property
  • You use illegal drugs on our property or return to the building under the influence of drugs
  • You bring alcohol into the building, or return to the building inebriated
  • You engage in sexual activity on our property
  • You harass or are verbally abusive to residents or staff
  • You take or borrow other's property, including medications and money
  • You engage in ANY illegal behaviors, including sexual harassment.

Here is our definition of harassment:

Harassment includes such conduct as slurs, jokes, gestures, suggestive comments, intimidation, or any other verbal or physical attack upon a person because of these factors. Statements directed towards a person's age, religion, gender, or their ethnic or national origin that are intended to demean or diminish that person have the effect of creating hostile environment.

Sexual harassment is defined as unwanted sexual attention of persistent or offensive nature made by a person who knows, or reasonably should know, that such attention is unwanted. Sexual harassment includes sexually oriented conduct that is sufficiently pervasive or severely interfering with a resident's performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment. While sexual harassment encompasses a wide range of conduct, some examples of specifically prohibited conduct toward other residents, guests and/or staff include:

  • Promising, directly or indirectly, a reward if the resident, staff member, or guest complies with a sexually oriented request
  • Threatening, directly or indirectly, to retaliate against a resident, staff member, or guest if the person refuses to comply with a sexually oriented request
  • Engaging in sexually suggestive physical contact or touching
  • Displaying, storing, or transmitting pornographic or sexually oriented materials on our property
  • Engaging in indecent exposure
  • Making sexual advances

If you experience or observe any of the above-mentioned "zero tolerance" behaviors on our premises, it is your responsibility to report it immediately to the Residence Supervisor on duty who will report it to Residence/Relocation Manager, Peggy Wippel. If the infraction occurs between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. and Peggy Wippel is not available, report it to Michael Hanes, Chief Operating Officer or Marty Gaudiose. In the absence of any of these individuals, ask the Receptionist to direct you to the Manager on duty.

Finding Your Way Around Our Facilities

You will be given a complete tour of our building and residence hall during your orientation.

Coming into our facility, you will be directed to the receptionist. To the right of the reception area, you will find our waiting and recreation room, furnished with a large screen, satellite-connected TV, with VHS and DVD, and comfortable seating. This large room is equipped with a pool table, a ping-pong table, a dining table, a piano, and an organ for your use.

To the left of the reception desk is a hall with resident's local access telephone, the elevator, and a door which leads toward the men's restroom on the right. A right turn will lead you past the women's restroom on the right, and into the cafeteria.

Our cafeteria offers three meals a day for residents (Breakfast, dinner, and a sack lunch)…and provides an endless supply of coffee and tea. It also has a satellite-connected TV, a refrigerator for storing any snacks and soft drinks you've brought, a microwave oven, and soft drink and snack machines. If you would like to pick up supplies, there is a grocery store accessible across the street with an audible traffic signal.

On move-in day, the Residence Supervisor will escort you to the second floor, via the elevator, and show you where to find residence suites and your room. Upon exiting the elevator and entering the residence hall, you will find the computer lounge to your right. This area contains two DSL internet-connected computers with adaptive technology and email capability, two CCTV's, and a magnified, lighted craft table. This is a favorite place for quiet play and study.

On your left is a door leading to the sun deck, furnished with a table and chairs. It provides a convenient area for a "breath of fresh air" or just hanging out in good weather. It is also available to smokers. No smoking is allowed inside the building.

Facing away from the deck is a hall containing residence rooms (1-6 on the left, all others on the right), ending with the Residence Supervisor's office. The Supervisor's office contains monitoring equipment for inside and outside the building, complementing our ADT agency security system. All rooms are equipped with highly sensitive, professionally maintained smoke detectors.

Regular business hours are Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. A Residence Supervisor is on duty outside the regular business hours and is available Monday through Thursday 4:30 p.m. until 7 a.m. and continuously from 4:30 p.m. Friday to 7:00 a.m. Monday. Our dedicated Residence Supervisors will be happy to help you get settled, provide expertise, and supervise your visit with us.

The laundry room is also located in the residence hall. It contains two washers and dryers, an iron, fold-out ironing board, laundry soap, and drying sheets. There are also cleaning products and a vacuum cleaner for your use in maintaining your room and bathroom. The cabinets in this room hold our library of movies, books on tape, and games. This room is also equipped with the second resident's local access telephone, and includes TTY equipment for hearing impaired clients.

Accommodations: What You Should Bring

Most suites in the residence are arranged with two double bedrooms sharing a bath, furnished with one or two twin beds, dressers and closets for hanging clothes and luggage, and local channel TV. We supply all bed linens, blankets, and the adaptive aids designed for our bathrooms. Every effort is made to give you the most private accommodation possible. We can often arrange a private room for you, however we cannot guarantee it.

You will need to bring your own:

  • alarm clock
  • personal care items (hair dryers, shampoo, combs/brushes, shower gel or soap, deodorant)
  • towels and washcloths
  • underwear, casual clothing, and weather-appropriate outerwear. If you are planning to use a Metro Park pool or gym, you will need to pack appropriate clothing.

As a resident, you are permitted to bring any small leisure or entertainment items (musical instruments, tape players CD players, computers, game boxes, cell phone, your own pool cue, craft projects) that add to your relaxation. There is also WiFi connection available if you choose to bring a personal laptop.

You may also bring (marked with your name) your favorite snacks, treats and soft drinks for storage in the cafeteria client refrigerator, and for consumption in the cafeteria or recreation room.

Attendants

If you currently utilize attendant care, we will accommodate your attendant at a fee for room and board. Your attendant will be housed in your room or the connected room for your safety. Your attendant will be allowed access to all the services you enjoy, and will be expected to observe the same guidelines that all residents observe.

Assistance Dogs

If you are bringing an assistance dog, you will need to bring a copy of records or tag for current rabies shot. We expect you to maintain your dog: bring your dog's:

  • shampoo
  • flea treatment
  • food and bowls
  • bed or blanket
  • leash and harness

We expect you to walk your dog in the area provided. For your safety, walk your dog before 10:30 p.m. in the evening and after 6 a.m. in the morning. We will train you in appropriate walking areas and waste disposal at orientation. We expect you to keep your dog with you, appropriately harnessed or restrained, during training, outings, and activities. For your safety, and your dog's comfort, do not leave your dog in the building when you leave the building.

Emergencies

Your physical safety is of prime importance to us. It is your responsibility to follow directions in emergency situations:

Fire

  • Our security system will announce a fire (or drill) with a loud buzzing sound and flashing lights.
  • Leave your room immediately-DO NOT gather your belongings, DO NOT lock your door!
  • Residents in rooms 1-6 turn right, 12-16 turn left (Toward the deck moving carefully and quickly to the stairwell by the elevator: DO NOT USE THE ELEVATOR.
  • Go downstairs to the lobby; during business hours, exit via the front door, turn left and proceed to the parking lot behind the building.
  • If it is evening, proceed to the lobby; the Residence Supervisor will instruct you.

If you are unable to walk down the front stairs...

The Columbus Fire Department is aware that we house persons with disabilities, and instructed us that you are to stay in your room with your door unlocked until the Residence Supervisor and emergency personnel can assist you to exit. We will come to you first, and we will not leave you until you are safe.

Tornado Warning Sirens

Your Residence Supervisor will alert/assist you to come to the first floor, and direct you to a safe area inside the building.

Other Emergencies

Your Residence Supervisor will instruct and assist you in dealing with other types of problems, such as power outages, national threats, illnesses or other medical events.

Medication Guidelines

You are responsible for your own medications.

  • Medications must be in the original prescription container, properly labeled (pharmacy label), including: your name, physician's name, phone number and directions for use.
  • Over-the-counter medications must be kept in the original container with the label and dosage clearly visible.
  • The Residence Supervisor will assist you with storage of medications requiring special care, as well as with syringes and disposal of needles. All others are to be kept in the top drawer of the dresser next to your bed.
  • No medications (prescription or over-the-counter) are to be shared with another resident.

Most Importanty, Enjoy Your Stay!

We want to make the Residence your home away from home. If you have any suggestions or need any assistance during your stay, please let us know. Our goal is to assist you as you strive to be all that you can be---to accomplish anything!

 
 

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