On behalf of the Minnesota Council on Disability, I want to congratulate the Council’s new acting chairperson, Nikki Villavicencio, and our new vice-chairperson, Trent Dilks. Council members have elected the following members to the Executive Committee: Christy Caez Claudio, Muzamil Ibrahim, Quinn Nystrom and Myrna Peterson.

I look forward to working closely with the newly expanded Executive Committee as well as the Council. I also want to thank the Council’s former vice-chairperson, Lauren Thompson and former Council member Dee Martineau for their service to the Council.

- Laurie Beyer-Kropuenske, Executive Director

I am excited as recently appointed acting Chairperson of the MN Council on Disability! In these challenging times, it is important that our leaders are doing the will of the community! The Governor appointed me to strengthen the work of the Council and make sure we have a transparent process going forward.

A little about me; I have been a passionate advocate for people with disabilities for over 10 years. I was a patient, and then an intern with Gillette Lifetime (Gillette Children’s Adult Clinic). The internship was my first exposure to the challenges we a face as a community. I soon learned that most of the program and policy decisions that affect people with disabilities are made at the State Capitol. I began working with the Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (MNCCD) to train people to “Tell Your Story” to legislators. I was an MNCCD board member involved in a strategic planning process, which resulted in MNCCD achieving 501(c)4 non-profit status.

Once I understood the importance of passing inclusive legislation, I wanted to help elect people who support us. I worked with the MN Secretary of State in an outreach program to register people to vote. I’ve worked for multiple political campaigns. In 2010, ADAPT MN, a grassroots movement, did the first ever “Accessible Door Knocks” in Minneapolis. In the 2014 election, I led St. Paul’s accessible door knocks. Much of my work has been focused on improving the Personal Care Attendant (PCA) program. I currently sit on the PCA training committee for Homecare Union.

My personal advocacy path leads me to fight for the rights of families with disabilities. My partner and I have an 8-year old daughter. The system is not designed to assess families and so we work to pass more inclusive legislation. As a mother, I appreciate community parks. I serve as Maplewood Parks and Recreation Commissioner, ensuring inclusive decisions. Recently I ran for elected office; being engaged in democracy at any level can be exhausting and aggravating - I believe a bit of stubbornness goes a long way! I hope the skills I picked up along the way and my background of being a multi-marginalized person will support the work of the Council!

MCD’s opportunity for growth is boundless! As our communities adjust to the nuances of the current healthcare crisis, let us not forget the ingenuity and wisdom that the disability community possesses. This is a time we can learn from each other - and grow!

- Nikki Villavicencio, Acting Council Chair

Because of concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, the Minnesota Legislature has suspended regular business. The Minnesota Council on Disability will not be posting legislative updates until further notice. 

Go to: COVID-19 message from MCD.

Public policy and disability-related COVID-19 inquiries can be directed to Kody Olson at Kody.olson@state.mn.us. 

Join the celebration!

Date and Time: Sunday, July 26, 2020, 1:00 p.m.

Location: Woulfe Alumni Hall
University of St. Thomas Anderson Student Center
2115 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, MN, 55105

Keynote Speaker: Haben Girma, the first DeafBlind graduate from Harvard Law School    

Other performers include: NPR Music’s Tiny Desk Winner and violinist, Gaelynn Lea, and playwright and storyteller, Kevin Kling

This event is free and open to the public. Audio description, ASL and CART will be available.

For more information, or to request an accommodation, contact Cindy Tarshish at
cindyt@mcil-mn.org.    

Visit us at: ADA30MN. (Note: MCD cannot guarantee the digital accessibility of outside sources.)
Follow us on Facebook at @ada30mn.

Households throughout the United States are required to participate in the 2020 Census. In mid-March (now!) homes across the country began receiving invitations to complete the 2020 Census.

Fill it out your Census now at Census 2020.

Filling out your questionnaire online is the quickest most straightforward way to complete the census and the best way to limit human interaction during COVID-19.