Miss. Code. tit. 32, pt. 3, subpt. 2, ch. 1, subch. 1
Attendance and Conduct: Since the training is designed to prepare you for employment, you are expected to have consistent attendance, to be on time, to dress appropriately, and to behave in a professional manner in all classes. If you are going to be late for a class, it is your responsibility to let your instructor know ahead of time.
Notification of Absences: You are responsible for calling in before 8:00 a.m. if you are sick or for some other reason are unable to attend classes, the number to call is (228) 241-2240. If you do not call the Emerge Center to leave a message before 8:00 a.m. you will be recorded as late or absent. If you have medical or other appointments during the instructional day, such as Social Security or housing appointments, please notify Antonio Williams in advance.
First Day of Training: On your first day of training, you will be given a non-folding white cane, a pair of learning shades (blindfold), a monthly bus pass, a slate and stylus, and a thumb drive containing important documents, including the "Student Handbook," "How to Become a Emerge Center Student," and "What is Structured Discovery?"
Learning Shades: You will wear learning shades (blind fold) during all classes and confidence-building activities. The training will teach you non-visual techniques to function confidently and independently in your home, at work, and in the community. Wearing the learning shades is not optional; it is fundamental to the success of the training. If you are unable or unwilling to wear the learning shades, the Emerge Center program is not the right setting for you, and you should ask your rehabilitation counselor about other training options.
Long White Cane: On the first day of training, you will be given a non-folding long white cane. We ask that you use your cane at the Emerge Center and in the evenings and on weekends. This is for your own safety and the safety of others and to help you develop and reinforce your nonvisual travel skills.
The Training Day: Training begins at 8:00 a.m. with morning announcements. Classes are scheduled from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with an hour for lunch.
Core Classes: The Emerge Center program includes four core classes: braille, cane travel, technology, and home management.
Additionally, you will participate in employment preparation activities. The employment preparation includes a work component and training leading to a recognized occupational certificate or license.
Emerge Center training is holistic; the individual classes work together and support the development of the non-visual skills and confidence you will need to live your fullest life. For this reason, you will participate in all classes, the work experience, and the confidence-building activities. If for any reason you are unable or unwilling to participate in all the classes and activities, the Emerge Center is not the right program for you, and the Emerge Center Staff will work with you and your rehabilitation counselor to identify a training program that will meet your individual needs.
Blindness Seminars: An essential part of effective training is seminar discussions on a wide range of blindness related topics. The seminars help the students think through how to handle situations such as what to do if someone insists on providing help that is not needed or wanted; what to do with your cane while flying; or how to find your restaurant table when returning from the restroom. Other topics include how to help friends and family members respect and support what you can do independently and to refrain from being overprotective. The students take turns leading blindness-related discussion seminars, but don't worry, you will get the help you need to lead a seminar discussion.
Apartment Instruction: Periodically, Emerge Center staff will work with you one-on-one in your apartment to help you apply and reinforce your use of non-visual Techniques of daily living.
Confidence-Building Activities: In addition to your classes, you will participate in confidence-building activities. These activities are an essential part of the training. They are designed to build self-confidence and provide opportunities for you to apply your non-visual skills in new situations and environments. While participation in the confidence-building activities is required, participation in a particular activity may not be required based on medical and other individual concerns. If you believe you should not engage in a particular activity, please discuss your concerns with the Antonio Williams prior to the scheduled activity.
Evening and Weekend Assignments: Your instructors may give you work to complete outside of classroom hours. These assignments will help support and reinforce the non-visual skills you are learning during the day.
Cleaning Common Areas: The students are responsible for keeping the common areas clean and are assigned lounge cleaning duties on a rotating weekly basis.
Dog guides: Dog guides are permitted in the Emerge Center and in the apartments. If you use a dog guide, you are expected to control your dog guide at all times, clean up after your dog guide, and pay for any damage the dog may cause. You are asked to kennel your dog guide during the training day. You may use your dog guide during evenings, weekends, holidays, and other personal time. Since we teach cane travel, we ask that you use your cane during the day, including when you are relieving your dog guide, and you are encouraged to use your cane as much as possible during evenings and weekends.
Use of Cell Phones: To minimize disruptions, we ask that cell phones be silent during classes. If you are expecting an urgent or emergency phone call, please let your instructor know.
Smoking: Smoking and/or use of other tobacco products, including e-cigarettes/vaping, is prohibited in the Emerge Center and in the apartments. You may smoke during lunch and other breaks in designated outdoor smoking areas. We ask that you help keep the smoking areas clean by properly disposing of cigarette butts and other tobacco products.
Lunch: You are responsible for bringing your own lunch to the Emerge Center. The student lounge has a refrigerator and a microwave for your use. The food you cook in home management class is yours to have for lunch or to take home for dinner to supplement your grocery allowance. You may order food delivery, but keep in mind that there is only one hour for lunch. We ask that you only consume food and drinks in the student lounge or other designated area.
Grocery Stipend: While in training, you will be given a grocery stipend at the beginning of each month. The grocery stipend is $250.00 a month. The stipend allowance may be reduced if you receive other public assistance to help with the cost of food such as SNAP assistance, so please let the Antonio Williams know if you start or stop receiving SNAP benefits or if there is a change in the amount you receive.
Transportation: You are responsible for arranging and paying for your own transportation. This includes transportation to and from the grocery store when purchasing groceries for use in your apartment. You will also be responsible for arranging your own transportation for errands, medical appointments, and shopping. We suggest that you install smart phone transportation apps such as Uber and Lyft and that you keep at least some cash available in the case of an emergency.
Additional Financial Assistance: If you require additional financial assistance, you should speak with your rehabilitation counselor before you begin training.
Miss. Code. tit. 32, pt. 3, subpt. 2, ch. 1, subch. 1